20 years already? Learn the story behind the most beloved of beverages, Starbucks Peppermint Mocha

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When does it officially feel like the holidays? For some it could be hearing the first notes of holiday music or seeing that first flurry of snow. But for the last two decades, the arrival of the holidays can be marked by that first taste of Starbucks Peppermint Mocha and its rich, full-bodied espresso mingled with the flavor of chocolate, peppermint and whipped cream. 

Starbucks Peppermint Mocha may be one of the most-loved of holiday beverages, but it wasn’t actually the first. <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2022/an-insiders-guide-to-christmas-blend-and-starbucks-holiday-coffees/">Christmas Blend</a> coffee made its debut in 1984, hand-scooped and packaged in brown kraft paper coffee bags to be brewed at home. Then came the first handcrafted holiday beverage in 1986, created behind the espresso bar at Il Giornale (which merged with Starbucks in 1987) by Dave Olsen, who steamed up a pitcher of eggnog and milk to make the first Eggnog Latte.

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Ten years later, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2022/celebrating-25-years-of-starbucks-mostly-red-holiday-cups/">the first red Starbucks cup made its appearance</a> and, as the company expanded into Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Starbucks created its first beverage research and development team.

“Customers’ understanding of espresso and lattes was really in its infancy,” said Peter Dukes, who joined Starbucks as a product manager for espresso beverages in 2001. “I think [a holiday beverage] was a good introduction for a lot of people back then to lattes and espresso.”

After successfully launching Gingerbread Latte (now available in Canada and select international markets) in 2000, the R&amp;D team was tasked with exploring ideas for the next holiday beverage. Dukes remembers being invited to the R&amp;D team’s Liquid Lab to be part of a team of about 10 partners who tasted new beverage concepts. The group was truly cross-functional – including partners from operations, finance, supply chain. 

The team tried a few different flavors that would resonate with customers during the holiday, including an idea for a white chocolate cranberry beverage. But they quickly landed on a peppermint-flavored twist on the classic Caffè Mocha inspired by the flavors of traditional holiday candies. From there, the team refined the recipe, finding the perfect combination of rich Starbucks espresso with bittersweet mocha sauce, peppermint syrup, and steamed milk, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of red sugar sprinkles. 

The beverage was introduced to Starbucks customers for the 2002 holiday season, and quickly became the most popular holiday beverage in Starbucks history. It’s still among the most loved holiday beverage on the menu today and is available hot, iced and blended. Its recipe has changed only a little; it’s now made with 2 percent milk as the standard and with dark chocolate curls on top instead of red sprinkles.

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“To know you're part of something that turned out to be pretty special years later is unique. It takes me back to those times in the Liquid Lab with an extremely diverse group of partners sitting around a table tasting different variations of the peppermint mocha,” Dukes said. “None of us were professionally trained, but we ended up with a beverage that continues to resonate with our customers today and we had a lot of fun making it.”

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Celebrating 20 years of Starbucks Peppermint Mocha

Which came first, the Peppermint Mocha or the Egg(nog)? Learn the story behind the classic Starbucks holiday beverage.

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Starbucks Peppermint Mocha: A love story

When Starbucks introduced its first holiday cups back in 1997, the word “selfie” had not yet been invented. Facebook and Twitter were still years away. Still, those holiday cups created buzz.

Sandy Nelson, then a Starbucks designer, created that first set of holiday cups, selected from dozens of design concepts. They weren’t red – but instead were wrapped like a gift in rich shades of magenta, sapphire, and emerald and purple. The design featured a linoleum block-style pattern with swirls and hand-drawn holly leaves flecked with coffee beans.

Nelson remembers the first time she saw customers carrying cups with her designs. She was visiting Anchorage, Alaska for Thanksgiving, and stepped off the plane to see a Starbucks kiosk piled high with stacks of colorful cups she had designed.

“I thought, wow, this is big,” Nelson said. “But I had no idea what was ahead.”

The next year, the holiday cups made an even bigger splash as customers were invited to “embrace the warmth” of the holidays with a cup in purple hues. Then in 1999, the cups featured a candy-apple red design for the first time, and a new icon was born. Before long, pop culture websites featured countdown clocks&nbsp;anticipating when cups would be “red again,” and the cups popped up everywhere from nascent social media platforms to late-night talk shows. Year after year, the excitement around the holiday cup seemed to grow and the cup itself became emblematic of the season.

“What’s happened now in popular culture is that the appearance of the red cup signals to people that it’s time to celebrate the holidays,” said Sandy Nelson. “Who would have thought 25 years ago that would happen?”

This year, Starbucks is introducing <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2022/starbucks-holiday-beverages-arrive-on-nov-third/">a new set of four designs for the holidays</a>, wrapped like a gift for their customers just as they were 25 years ago.

“Looking back at all the years of holiday cups, you can see the commitment to design and artistry and all things handcrafted,” said Gary Jacobson, Starbucks creative director for this year’s holiday campaign. “I think that’s why they have become part of a lot of people's holiday traditions. They invite people in because each new design captures a moment in time with its own unique take on the holidays.”

Read on for a look at the last 25 years of holiday cups, plus this year’s new design:

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With the first holiday cups, customers could enjoy a Christmas Blend brewed coffee in one of four jewel-toned hues.&nbsp;

Stores were adorned in deep purple and sepia tones with an elegant holiday cup featuring swirling snowflakes.&nbsp; 

The classic candy-apple red Starbucks holiday cup makes its first appearance in this whimsical design with black line-drawings of snowflakes, stockings and winter celebrations.

“Coffeetown” was the theme for the Y2K cup, depicting a whimsical village of coffee pots, set against a glittering nighttime sky.

Giving the gift of Starbucks became easier than ever this holiday with the introduction of the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/a-look-back-at-20-years-of-starbucks-cards/">first Starbucks Gift Cards</a>. The cups themselves are designed to look like a present, trimmed with green and red ribbon and old-fashioned postage stamps.

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/starbucks-peppermint-mocha-a-love-story/">Peppermint Mocha</a> makes its debut this year, and a cup design that featured white line art, an illustration style that returned again in 2005 and 2016.

Shadows dance across a fanciful scene with shimmering stars and snowflakes.

The Starbucks logo is reminiscent of an evergreen wreath in this year’s cup design.&nbsp;The cup was also the star of a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-HFl7o1Vxw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks video</a> featuring the cup fixed atop the roof of a yellow taxi speeding through the streets of San Francisco.

This nostalgic design features white woodcut-style­ drawings and a string of holiday lights twinkling along the rim, along with a reminder that “It only happens once a year.”

Illustrations that appear as intricate cut paper silhouettes gather in traditional holiday tableaux.

Ice skaters twirl on a frozen pond as snowflakes gently fall in this quiet winter scene.

A field of reindeer and a single white dove are depicted in a moonlit woodland landscape with an overlay of a cozy knitted pattern.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/517/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Flattes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caramel Brulée Latte</a> makes its debut this year, along with a cup design that features cut-paper ornaments inscribed with the words “joy, hope, love, light, peace” hanging on sprigs of evergreen.

The cups take on a more modern vibe with new holiday characters catching snowflakes in a palette of red, white and gray.

Carolers sing, an ice skater spins, and a dog sleds down a hill with these series of three holiday cups. Customers make these&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo3VeweHD74" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">merry scenes come to life</a>&nbsp;with Starbucks Cup Magic, an augmented reality app.

The holiday characters, including a jaunty snowman, come in for their close-up in this design series&nbsp;with bold accents of navy and gold.

The cup features a swoop of coffee cherries, coffee flowers and vintage ornaments painted in a deep garnet with touches of gold.

“Let there be bright” is the theme for this year’s holiday, with fanciful brushstrokes in bold colors, the perfect complement to the new <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/873068661/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Flattes">Chestnut Praline Latte</a>.

The cup features a two-toned ombré design, with a bright poppy color on top that shaded into a darker cranberry below.

For the first time, Starbucks features customer-created&nbsp;<a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/starbucks-red-cups-2016">holiday cups&nbsp;with 13 designs</a>&nbsp;from six countries around the world, all with hand-drawn white against a red background.

Starbucks unveils its first white holiday cup that customers could color in themselves, with a pair of hands connected with swirling ribbons and splashes of red and green. Later in the season, a red cup debuted with a white heart inviting customers to “Give Good.”

The suite of cups celebrated the spirit of yesteryear with a modern twist, with doses of vintage colors and patterns and reinterpreted with graphic flair. The set of four designs featured snippets of Starbucks holidays past – a star, a branch of coffee cherries and a flame.

A perfectly wrapped gift inspired this series of four designs in our signature colors of red, white and Starbucks green. Typography is used as the main illustrative element for three of the designs, with whole letters playfully danced like musical notes&nbsp;(and even sprang to life on Instagram using augmented reality). <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2123139/iced" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Irish Cream Cold Brew</a> made its debut this season in a special holiday cold cup with dancing letters that spelled “merry coffee.”

Designers started with little ribbons like washi tape (a decorative, adhesive tape) and wrapped them in different ways on cups. They brought in greens and a shade of red that’s a little brighter than the shade Starbucks may be famous for to give it an extra pop. The cups reminded customers to “Carry the Merry.”

With shimmering ribbons, a splash of color and a sprinkle of stars – this year’s designs are wrapped up like gifts for the holidays. This year's theme features festive colors of red, green and white with playful touches of lilac.

The classic holiday red and Starbucks green are joined with accents of mint and sparkles in this set of cup designs, a perfect way to celebrate the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/starbucks-peppermint-mocha-a-love-story/">20th anniversary of the Peppermint Mocha</a>.

Pyramid stack of 25 years of Starbucks holiday cups

How did a coffee cup become a cultural icon? Let’s take a look back at 25 years of Starbucks holiday cups.

Celebrating 25 years of Starbucks (mostly) red holiday cups

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The cheer starts here! Those first sips of the season are arriving at Starbucks stores in the United States starting Nov. 3 with Starbucks holiday beverages including <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/496/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Fmochas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peppermint Mocha</a>, <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/517/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Flattes#:~:text=Espresso%2C%20steamed%20milk%20and%20rich,Hot%20Coffees%20%2F%20Caramel%20Brulee%20Latte" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caramel Brulée Latte</a><a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2123591/iced" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">,</a> <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2122482/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Fmochas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Toasted White Chocolate Mocha,</a> and <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/873068661/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Flattes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chestnut Praline Latte</a>. Cold coffee beverages including <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2123591/iced" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte</a> and <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2123139/iced" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Irish Cream Cold Brew</a> are also back for another holiday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In addition to <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/the-holidays-are-back-at-starbucks-with-seasonal-sips-and-festive-food/">new holiday food</a> and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/starbucks-unveils-this-years-most-festive-holiday-gifts/">gifts</a>, a new collection of specially designed Starbucks holiday cups signals the start of the season, just as they have <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2022/celebrating-25-years-of-starbucks-mostly-red-holiday-cups/">since their debut 25 years ago</a>.&nbsp;

This year, four new Starbucks holiday cup designs offer the comforts and cheer of the season, each wrapped up like a gift. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“We have always talked about the cups as little gifts, and we hope they feel like a festive present to our customers and store partners,” said Gary Jacobson, Starbucks creative director for this year’s holiday campaign.&nbsp;&nbsp;

To bring that sentiment to life on the cups, designers created a collection of holiday motifs – like sparkles, ornaments and snowflakes – to add a sense of seasonal joy. Ribbon and tape elements bring another gift-giving element, along with gift tags on the back of each cup – perfect for a personalized note. The color palette features classic seasonal colors with the added flair of mint green. The result is a warm and welcoming vibe during a season that brings people together.&nbsp;

“We are really focused on creating a joyful experience throughout the entire Starbucks experience – whether a customer is visiting at our drive-thru or in our café,” said Jacobson. “Whatever we can touch, we wanted to make sure that we make someone’s day a little bit brighter in a holiday way.”

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The cheer starts here! Starbucks holiday beverages wrapped in their festive red cups are arriving in stores on Nov. 3, with customer favorites like Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte and Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte, along with new holiday food, Christmas Blend coffee and gifts.

Starbucks holiday beverages arrive on Nov. 3

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Here&#8217;s a look at this year&#8217;s Starbucks holiday drinks and cups

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Here’s a look at this year’s Starbucks holiday drinks and cups

On your next coffee run, pick up a thoughtful gift while you sip on your favorite holiday beverage like the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/496/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Fmochas">Peppermint Mocha</a>, <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/517/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Flattes">Caramel Brulée Latte</a> or <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2122482/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Fmochas">Toasted White Chocolate Mocha</a>. From cold cups and color-changing cups to coffee-themed ornaments and stocking stuffers, Starbucks lineup of seasonal gifts is the perfect way to share a little joy with those on your gift list.

Holiday Color Changing Cup (16 oz.)

Starbucks new Holiday Color Changing Cup offers a festive twist to the fan-favorite drinkware, transforming from green to red when the cup contains hot liquid. 

Color Changing Hot Cup Set (6-pack, 16 oz. each)

Starbucks new 6-pack of Color Changing Hot Cups are detailed with candy cane prints that change colors when the cups contain hot liquid. Gift them or switch up your daily coffee routine with a different cup for nearly every day of the week!

Glitter Cold Cup Set (5-pack, 24 oz. each)

Customers can also find a new 5-pack of Glitter Cold Cups available in an assortment of colors with a subtle glitter finish that gives a little shimmer to your day.

Bubble Mint Cold Cup (24 oz.)

Nothing complements your morning cold brew on a crisp winter morning like a minty green cold cup. Starbucks new Bubble Mint Cold Cup is available exclusively at Starbucks licensed store locations in the U.S. and Canada, including those within grocers, airports, hospitals and more.

Looking for a stocking stuffer? Pick up Starbucks new set of two reusable straws, made for a 24-oz cup, that also conveniently comes with a cleaning brush and beautifully designed zipper pouch.

Inspired by Starbucks holiday cups, this festive ornament is the perfect gift for any Starbucks fan.

For those who won’t be exchanging gifts with their friends or loved ones in person this year, a Starbucks gift card or an <a href="https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starbucks.com%2Fgift&amp;data=04%7C01%7Calli.colzani%40edelman.com%7C6640bb6608d849a414e308d8779a8a87%7Cb824bfb3918e43c2bb1cdcc1ba40a82b%7C0%7C1%7C637390852933365576%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=zZAm%2FcbBdfttNvWWH7WHTh6V%2F0WiLVTlxnQ%2B3wTZOT4%3D&amp;reserved=0">eGift</a> is a perfect way to show you’re thinking of them (with eGift, you can even send your gift via messaging platforms like iMessage). Starbucks gift cards come in a variety of festive designs and can be loaded with amounts from $5-$500.

Festive Starbucks holiday merchandise returns, with color changing cups and other cheery gift ideas.

Celebrate the Holidays with New Cold Cups, Color Changing Cups and Festive Gifts

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Get Ahead on Your Holiday Shopping with Festive Starbucks Gifts

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Welcome to your home for the holidays with the latest news and stories of the season from Starbucks Stories.&nbsp;

A virtual tour of Starbucks holiday drinks around the world

In Japan, you can celebrate the season with a latte that tastes like a Cranberry Bliss® Bar. In Europe, you can warm up with a vegan Truffle Deluxe Hot Chocolate. And just about everywhere, you can enjoy a classic Peppermint Mocha. No matter where you are, you can enjoy a virtual tour of Starbucks holiday beverages around the globe, highlighting the unique flavors on the Starbucks menu this season.

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Giving the gift of Starbucks: 20 years of Starbucks cards

Time flies when you’re drinking coffee. Here’s a nostalgic look back at two decades of Starbucks cards, one of the holiday season’s most popular gifts.

5 ways to lighten up your Starbucks holiday beverage

Here are a few tips from Starbucks baristas to lighten up your favorite handcrafted beverages. It’s easy to do – just ask your barista or customize your drink on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.starbucks.com/rewards/mobile-apps">Starbucks® app</a>.

The story behind this year’s cup design&nbsp;

This year’s&nbsp;holiday&nbsp;design&nbsp;brings forward all the joyful elements of&nbsp;the holiday&nbsp;season in ribbons of&nbsp;Starbucks&nbsp;greens and a jolly red like a cozy holiday sweater.&nbsp;Look closely and you’ll see a familiar crown, tail and scales.&nbsp;

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While the holidays may feel a bit different this year, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season with Starbucks. The company is <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/what-customers-need-to-know-about-starbucks-response-to-covid-19/" target="_blank">focused on the health and well-being of customers and partners</a>, and strives to meet or exceed the standards outlined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for a safe experience, including continued emphasis on cleaning and sanitizing protocols in stores. Starbucks also requires customers to wear facial coverings while visiting all café locations in accordance with the expert guidance of the CDC and local public health authorities. The <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.starbucks.com/rewards/mobile-apps" target="_blank">Starbucks app</a> makes it easy to find a Starbucks location, check store hours, order ahead and use contactless payment.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Beloved beverages are back&nbsp;

Starbucks stores in the United States and Canada will be decked for the holidays starting Nov.&nbsp;6&nbsp;to <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/starbucks-rings-in-the-holidays-with-fan-favorites/" target="_blank">mark the return of the seasonal flavors</a> of Peppermint Mocha, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, and Eggnog Latte, all available hot, iced and Frappuccino blended beverages.&nbsp;

Pick up a thoughtful gift from Starbucks on your next coffee run. Starbucks stores offer a collection of festive holiday merchandise for the season, from color-changing hot cups to glittery cold cups and stocking stuffers – perfect for everyone on your list.

Visions of&nbsp;sugar plums (and more)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Savor the&nbsp;flavors of holiday food at Starbucks, including the&nbsp;new Cranberry Orange Scone, Cranberry Bliss Bar, Snowman Cookie, Snowman Cake Pop&nbsp;and of course – Sugar Plum Cheese Danish.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The story behind Christmas Blend coffees&nbsp;

The original Christmas Blend, introduced in 1984, has been a holiday tradition at&nbsp;Starbucks even longer than the&nbsp;Peppermint Mocha&nbsp;or&nbsp;red holiday cup, beloved for its&nbsp;special blend of Latin American and rare aged Sumatran beans. The packaging of Starbucks holiday coffees&nbsp;tells&nbsp;the story of more than three decades of coffee passion and craft –&nbsp;if you know where to look.&nbsp;

Collectible&nbsp;red&nbsp;holiday&nbsp;cup

To mark the arrival of the season, Starbucks is&nbsp;giving away a free collectible red holiday cup&nbsp;on Nov. 6, while supplies last,&nbsp;to customers who order a holiday beverage at participating Starbucks stores in the United States.&nbsp;The cup offer is available for orders picked up in stores (including café, drive-thru and curbside) and through&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://delivery.starbucks.com/" target="_blank">Starbucks Delivers</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A gift for everyone on your list&nbsp;

<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/starbucks-previews-must-have-gifts-for-2020-holiday-season/" target="_blank">Here’s a first look at some&nbsp;of the festive gifts available</a>&nbsp;at Starbucks company-operated and licensed stores in the U.S. and Canada – from shimmering cold cups to iridescent tumblers, sleek water bottles&nbsp;and more. Select merchandise is also available on the&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/mobile-apps" target="_blank">Starbucks app</a>.&nbsp;

Holiday favorites in grocery stores&nbsp;

You can enjoy&nbsp;a little moment of holiday at home anytime this season&nbsp;– whether it’s&nbsp;an iced Starbucks Peppermint Mocha straight from your own fridge&nbsp;or&nbsp;a steaming cup of&nbsp;Starbucks® Holiday Blend Coffee from&nbsp;your Keurig or Nespresso machine.&nbsp;For the first time,&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/starbucks-holiday-favorites-now-available-at-grocery-stores-nationwide/" target="_blank">Starbucks® holiday at-home coffees and favorites are available in grocery stores around the world</a>&nbsp;(in the U.S. and select markets)&nbsp;including&nbsp;K-Cup® pods, Starbucks® By Nespresso,&nbsp;Starbucks® Peppermint Mocha Iced Espresso Classic&nbsp;and Starbucks® Frappuccino Peppermint Mocha.&nbsp;

Here’s your place for all the latest news about the holidays at Starbucks.

2020 Starbucks Holiday Highlights

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Sometimes a Peppermint Mocha is more than just a beverage. It’s a moment of joy, a familiar ritual that connects holidays past and present. Starting Nov. 6, you can enjoy the comforts of the season at Starbucks stores in the United States and Canada with a flurry of seasonal favorites, including <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/496/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Fmochas" target="_blank">Peppermint Mocha</a>, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2122482/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Fmochas" target="_blank">Toasted White Chocolate Mocha,</a> <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/517/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Flattes#:~:text=Espresso%2C%20steamed%20milk%20and%20rich,Hot%20Coffees%20%2F%20Caramel%20Brulee%20Latte" target="_blank">Caramel Brulée Latte</a>, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/873068661/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Flattes" target="_blank">Chestnut Praline Latte</a> and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/415/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Flattes" target="_blank">Eggnog Latte</a>, along with new holiday cups, food items and gifts.

The story behind this year’s cups&nbsp;&nbsp;

This year’s theme, Carry the Merry, is an invitation to enjoy the little moments of brightness around you. 

“Our thought behind the cups this year was about people carrying them out in the world as messengers of joy,” said Jeff Wilkson,&nbsp;creative director for Starbucks. “In a way that message deepened as we got further and further into&nbsp;this&nbsp;year. We want to be that beacon for people,&nbsp;a brief moment that they can&nbsp;look forward to.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

To bring that sentiment to life on the cups, the team started with iconic brand elements and mixed in holiday themes and colors.

“Early in our exploration, one of our designers had started making these little ribbons that almost looked like washi tape (a decorative, adhesive tape),” Wilkson said. “We had this one session where we were so inspired by these different patterns that we cut them out with scissors and started wrapping them in different ways on cups.” 

They continued to play with brand elements and toy with scale as the designs took shape. For the color palette, the designers brought in shades of brand greens and a shade of red that’s a little brighter than <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/starbucks-red-cups-2015/" target="_blank">the shade Starbucks may be famous for</a> to give it an extra pop.

The team landed on the following four different designs, the same number as the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2017/20-years-of-starbucks-holiday-cups/" target="_blank">first holiday cup collection in 1997</a>. They’ve also come to life in a series of holiday ads, each with a feeling all its own. (“Everyone has their favorite,” he says.)

A&nbsp;collectible&nbsp;red&nbsp;holiday&nbsp;cup&nbsp;&nbsp;

To mark the arrival of the season, Starbucks is gifting customers a free collectible red holiday cup on Nov. 6 to those who order a handcrafted holiday beverage at participating Starbucks stores in the United States. The cup offer is available for orders picked up in stores (including café, drive-thru and curbside) and through <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://delivery.starbucks.com/" target="_blank">Starbucks Delivers</a>, while supplies last, quantities are limited.

Holiday food &amp;&nbsp;gifts&nbsp;

Festive food items are also arriving, including the new Cranberry Orange Scone, Cranberry Bliss Bar ®, Sugar Plum Cheese Danish, Snowman Cookie, and Snowman Cake Pop. Starbucks® Christmas Blend whole bean coffee is also making its annual return to along with Starbucks® Christmas Blend Espresso Roast, Starbucks® Holiday Blend and Starbucks Reserve® Christmas 2020 (in select stores). Or fill your stockings with a colorful collection of gifts, including cold cups, tumblers and Starbucks Cards, with more merchandise added throughout the season. You can also find many of your favorite Starbucks seasonal flavors <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/starbucks-holiday-favorites-now-available-at-grocery-stores-nationwide/" target="_blank">where groceries are sold</a>, like <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fathome.starbucks.com%2Fproduct%2Fholiday-blend%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CAlli.Colzani%40edelman.com%7Cd44acb2eb5c0476bed4e08d866352b72%7Cb824bfb3918e43c2bb1cdcc1ba40a82b%7C0%7C0%7C637371725834411797&amp;sdata=TtfabvY9uYiBA8Khe23X%2BdaHGbA5MkerxoCXg5c6rSM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Holiday Blend</a> and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fathome.starbucks.com%2Fproduct%2Fpeppermint-mocha-flavored-coffee%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CAlli.Colzani%40edelman.com%7Cd44acb2eb5c0476bed4e08d866352b72%7Cb824bfb3918e43c2bb1cdcc1ba40a82b%7C0%7C0%7C637371725834411797&amp;sdata=jUCfJZJbcYfg5mvp9zMrsDdx38xNuGfJiRYV8FMaEGk%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Peppermint Mocha</a> in Roast &amp; Ground, K-Cup® pods* and as ready-to-drink beverages.

While the holidays may feel a bit different this year, there are moments of joy to be discovered with a holiday cup from Starbucks in your hand. Throughout COVID the company has taken a number of actions to protect the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/what-customers-need-to-know-about-starbucks-response-to-covid-19/" target="_blank">health and well-being of our customers and partners</a>, and strives to meet or exceed the standards outlined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for a safe experience, including continued emphasis on cleaning and sanitizing protocols in stores. Starbucks requires customers to wear facial coverings while visiting all café locations in accordance with the expert guidance of the CDC and local public health authorities. The <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/mobile-apps" target="_blank">Starbucks app</a> makes it easy to find a Starbucks location, check store hours, order ahead and use contactless payment. (<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/a-how-to-guide-for-digital-ordering-at-starbucks/" target="_blank">Here’s a guide to show you how.)</a>

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* Keurig, K-Cup, and the K logo are trademarks of Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., used with permission.&nbsp;

A flurry of favorite seasonal drinks, new holiday cups, food items and more are available at stores in the United States and Canada.

The holiday season at Starbucks starts on Nov. 6

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The holiday season has arrived at Starbucks

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 It’s official: new holiday merchandise has arrived at Starbucks and customers can find festive gifts to celebrate the season. Starbucks is making it easy to grab a thoughtful gift for anyone on your list while sipping your favorite holiday beverage like the delicious Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte or Toasted White Chocolate Mocha. This year, Starbucks is bringing all the holiday cheer with festive mugs, trendy statement cold cups, a coffee themed ornament and Starbucks Cards adorned with holiday designs. 

 Customers can also find two new reusable cup sets at Starbucks company-operated and licensed stores — one 6-pack hot cup set in ombré hues of red and pink, and a 5-pack cold cup set in classic holiday colors with candy cane striped reusable straws — making perfect gifts for friends or family. Customers can bring one of these cups into their participating local Starbucks and receive $0.10 off their beverage order. 

 In the spirit of reusable cups, and Starbucks passion for sustainable coffee, served sustainably, Starbucks is also revealing a new GIPHY sticker for Instagram to inspire others to make sustainable choices this holiday season and “BYOC” (Bring Your Own Cup). Instagram users posting a picture of their new ombre or multicolor reusable cup sets can add a festive “BYOC” sticker by searching “Sbux.” 

 Finally, to celebrate the holiday season in store, Starbucks is offering a Happy Hour deal with your favorite beverages. On November 14 from 2-7 p.m., customers can buy one, get one free on any handcrafted beverage, including holiday beverages, size grande or larger.

Red &amp; Pink Ombre Reusable Hot Cup Set (6-Pack, 16 oz each)

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 Starbucks new 6-pack of reusable hot cups are available in trendy ombre shades of red and pink, to give your favorite drink a different holiday look for nearly every day of the week! The cups are festively designed with sayings, “Coffee,” “Hand Warmer,” “Coffee All the Way,” “Festive Cup,” “Merry Coffee” and “Roasty and Toasty.” 

Multicolor Reusable Cold Cup Set (5-Pack, 24 oz each) 

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Customers can also find a new 5-pack of reusable cold cups available in classic holiday hues, with mix-and-match colorful candy cane striped straws and holiday sayings like, “Merry Coffee,” “Cold As Ice,” “Coffee All The Way,” “Magic Cool,” and “Seasonal Shine.” 

Glitter Gradient Gold Cold Cup (24 oz)

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With a shining translucent and glitter gold gradient, this cold cup will make spirits bright all season long. 

Mercury Glitter Green Cold Cup (24 oz)

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Starbucks plastic cold cup in mercury glitter green is adorned in vibrant, green glitter and features Starbucks iconic Siren — the perfect holiday gift for any Starbucks fan. 

Black &amp; Pink Mercury Flake Cold Cups (16 oz)

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Available in dazzling pink or sleek black, Starbucks Mercury Flake Cold Cups sparkle with beautiful foil accents. Available exclusively at Starbucks licensed store locations, including those within grocers, airports, hospitals and more. 

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Keep hands and hearts warm this holiday season with this bright and cheery ceramic mug. Available exclusively at Starbucks licensed store locations, including those within grocers, airports, hospitals and more.

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With a white luster glaze, this ceramic mug shimmers with an iridescent accent, making it the perfect item to brighten anyone’s day. 

Merry Coffee Cup Ornament

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Bring a little Starbucks holiday cheer into your home with this darling ornament inspired by this year’s “Merry Coffee” holiday cup design.&nbsp; 

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Select a Starbucks Card from a variety of festive holiday designs that can be loaded with amounts from $5 – $500. It’s a gift any loved one will enjoy!

Starbucks unveils seasonal gifts and reusable cup sets - Starbucks Stories

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Starbucks unveils seasonal gifts and reusable cup sets

With the holidays officially here, Starbucks brings new festive merchandise to help customers celebrate with cheer.

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Welcome to your home for the holidays with the latest news and stories of the season from Starbucks Stories.

Introducing Irish Cream Cold Brew

Meet the new Starbucks holiday beverage, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/introducing-irish-cream-cold-brew/">Starbucks®&nbsp;Irish Cream Cold Brew</a>. It’s made with Starbucks Cold Brew coffee and Irish cream syrup over ice, topped with a frothy cap of vanilla sweet cream cold foam like a layer of fresh snow and a dusting of cocoa powder, available at participating Starbucks stores in the United States and Canada while supplies last.

Starbucks Peppermint Mocha: A love story

Which came first, the Peppermint Mocha or the Egg(nog)? Learn <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/starbucks-peppermint-mocha-a-love-story/">the story behind the classic holiday beverage</a>, which has helped mark the arrival of the season at Starbucks since 2002.

A cup design that’s just your type

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Each year, the arrival of the Starbucks red cup signals the return of the holidays. <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/make-merry-at-starbucks-this-holiday/">This year’s design</a> uses typography as the main illustrative element for three of the designs, with whole letters playfully rotated for a musical, song-like quality, while polka dots playfully cover the fourth. Each cup design has a unifying green stripe on the back, finishing the cup like a ribbon.

Starbucks holiday beverages are back

Starbucks stores in the United States and Canada will be decked for the holidays starting Nov. 7 to <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/starbucks-rings-in-the-holidays-with-fan-favorites/">mark the return of the seasonal flavors</a> of Peppermint Mocha, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, and Eggnog Latte, all available hot, iced and Frappuccino blended beverages.

Bring back your reusable cup all season long

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Customers who received <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/reusable-red-cup/">this year’s reusable red cup</a> can bring it back to a participating Starbucks store in the U.S. or Canada after 2 p.m. starting Nov. 7 to receive 50 cents off their handcrafted grande (16-ounce) holiday beverage through Jan. 6, 2020.

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