A latte, latte love: How Starbucks UK partners surprised customers with personalised cups this Valentines Day

By Jordan Page • February 20, 2024 • 2 min read

We could all do with a bit of love on Valentines Day, so this year Starbucks UK partners made it their mission to share just that. Between 10 and 14 February, Green Apron partners up and down the country surprised customers with personalised cups on selected orders both in-store and via Starbucks® Delivers – the perfect pick me up for the season of romance!

From romantic doodles to pun-packed notes of affirmation, alongside serving signature handcrafted Starbucks beverages, partners showed off their creative flair and sparked meaningful moments of joy and connection for customers and their loved ones.

“Valentines Day is a time that Starbucks partners look forward to every year,” says Barb Sladkova, Campaign Specialist at Starbucks UK (and the 2021 UK Barista Champion). “Making someone’s day by spreading a little bit of happiness and love – just by writing on a cup - is such a great feeling. It’s a special time that I really loved back when I worked in store – and Starbucks customers love it too.”

But the love didn’t stop there. On 10 February, two Starbucks stores invited local calligraphers to create a special collection of bespoke poems written on reusable cups for customers. While Jenni Liandu set up in London’s Tower Place store, Jess Watson spread the love in Edinburgh – with both talents asking customers for unique details about their Valentine before scribing heartfelt poems on their cups, crafting a unique feel-good gift each time.

To receive one of these everlasting mementos, customers needed to order the Golden Caramel White Hot Chocolate from the Starbucks Winter menu, or the limited edition Golden Caramel White Chocolate Frappuccino, crafted especially to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Both were a matcha-made in heaven for the returning (and widely beloved) Starbucks Valentines Cookie.

Although Valentines Day may have passed for another year, don’t worry if you missed out on the action. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best designed cups crafted by Starbucks Green Apron partners across the UK – as well as some Valentines inspired coffee art!