The announcement comes just one day before the coffee chain’s holiday menu hits restaurants nationwide.
WASHINGTON — The arrival of holiday drinks to Starbucks is just around the corner, and the coffee chain has just unveiled its 2025 hot and cold holiday cup designs.
“There’s something unmistakably magical about that moment the cups arrive – it’s as if the season officially begins,” Kristy Cameron, Starbucks’ creative director, said. Cameron and her team designed four festive patterns this year, each featuring space for customers to write a personal message on the back.
This year’s cups take inspiration from aprons worn by Starbucks baristas, with designs featuring holiday bows and classic plaid patterns.
“From apron strings tied up into holiday bows to classic holiday plaids, each cup is crafted to evoke warmth, tradition and togetherness,” Starbucks said.
The “Merry Apron Strings” designs celebrate Starbucks baristas. The green variant is a reference to their traditional green aprons, while the red version symbolizes the holiday-colored aprons worn in winter.
“The inspiration for this design is the moment when partners (baristas) switch from their green aprons to their red aprons, signaling the season,” Cameron said.
Another design, “Coffeehouse Plaid,” wraps cups in cozy red-and-green plaid patterns, designed to feel “like little wrapped gifts for our customers,” Cameron added.
Starbucks stores are also getting a holiday makeover this year, with locations across the country accented in garland and ribbons.
“We’ve dipped the stores in rich textures and a deep coffee cherry red, and Starbucks green” Cameron said. “We hope our coffeehouses feel warm and festive, a place where you want to come and sit with us a little while and enjoy the holidays together.”
The holiday menu at Starbucks officially arrives on Nov. 6.
When is Red Cup Day?
A signature part of Starbucks’ holiday season, Red Cup Day will return on Thursday, Nov. 13.
On Red Cup Day, customers who order a handcrafted holiday beverage will receive a free, collectible, reusable red holiday cup. The annual promotion typically draws long lines and high demand, and supplies are limited to participating locations.
What’s on the holiday menu at Starbucks this year?
This year’s beverage menu includes six holiday drinks. Back on the menu are the Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte and Iced Sugar Cookie Latte.
A new Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai joins the holiday roster, with the Chestnut Praline Latte and the long-awaited Eggnog Latte, which was previously discontinued in 2021, returning later in the season.
Each beverage is available hot, iced or as a Frappuccino.
• Peppermint Mocha: Signature espresso with steamed milk, mocha sauce and peppermint-flavored syrup, topped with whipped cream and dark chocolate curls.
• Caramel Brulée Latte: Signature espresso with steamed milk and caramel brulée sauce, finished with whipped cream and caramel brulée topping.
• Iced Sugar Cookie Latte: Sugar cookie syrup with blonde espresso, ice and milk, topped with red and green sprinkles.
• Iced Gingerbread Chai: Chai, oatmilk, and ice topped with nondairy gingerbread cold foam and spice.
• Chestnut Praline Latte: Signature espresso, steamed milk, caramelized chestnut flavor and spice, topped with whipped cream and praline crumbs.
• Eggnog Latte: Signature espresso, steamed eggnog, milk and nutmeg topping.
As for snacks, Starbucks is bringing back classic seasonal bakery items like the Snowman Cookie, Cranberry Bliss Bar and Sugar Plum Cheese Danish. It’s also introducing a Polar Bear Cake Pop and Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread.
Starbucks is also rolling out a full holiday coffee lineup with whole bean options including Thanksgiving Blend, Christmas Blend (regular and decaf), Christmas Blonde Roast and Holiday Blend.