November 1, 2014, marks the return of the Starbucks red cups! Be on the look out for red cups, and you can find an adorable mini Starbucks card that looks just like the iconic red cup.
(International Starbucks markets may have different launch dates for the red cups. I’ve heard that Starbucks Canada gets them on November 3rd).
With the return of the red cups, look for Starbucks holiday beverage favorites:
- Caramel Brulée Latte (introduced into the Starbucks holiday beverage lineup on November 17, 2009)
- Eggnog Latte (available only in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest). (Starbucks has offered the eggnog latte every year since October 1986.)
- Gingerbread Latte (Not available in Western Canada or the Pacific Northwest)
- The Holiday Peppermint Mocha (during the holiday season this beverage gets a special chocolate curls topping, not offered during other seasons)
- The new Chestnut Praline Latte will be available on November 12th
While you’re enjoying your favorite red cup drink, snap a picture and enter in the Starbucks-sponsored contest #RedCupContest. (This is a good time to mention that Starbucks has a very, very generous photo policy inside their stores. I realize it wasn’t this way a decade ago, but at this point customers may freely take photos inside a store – Starbucks changes with the times, and I believe the current policy reflects the acceptance that most phones have a camera and embraces social media such as Pinterest, Instagram, Google+, and Twitter.)
Starting November 1st, look for selected items on the merchandise wall to be 30% off (my understanding is that at-home coffee items, such as whole beans, K Cups, and Verismo Pods will not be on sale):
Starting November 1, you are also going to find Thanksgiving Blend in stores! This is a favorite first into the Starbucks whole bean coffee lineup November 4, 2008! In Starbucks stores, you’ll find Thanksgiving Blend in both the K-Cup and whole bean formats.
I’d like to mention the book, Tales of the Siren. I hope you’ll pick up a copy. Thanksgiving Blend is a meaningful coffee to me partly because I had an amazing experience in 2008, when this coffee was newly introduced into the Starbucks lineup. I partly credit Thanksgiving Blend for inspiring me to be passionate Starbucks customer and creating this blog! In 2008, I had the unique opportunity to attend a coffee roasting at the Starbucks headquarters for this coffee, complete with Tom Douglas talking about the creation of Thanksgiving Blend with Starbucks coffee masters.
Last but not least, be on the lookout for the “Starbucks For Life” contest beginning in early December lasting the whole month. The details aren’t clear but from what I have heard, you enter this contest by transactions in Starbucks. Each time you swipe your registered Starbucks card or pay with the mobile app, you gain an entry to possibly win “Starbucks for Life.” (One beverage a day for thirty years). I’m not sure I have all the “Starbucks for Life” details down. Stay tuned for more information.
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In the UK and Ireland the Christmas drinks are available this coming Tuesday (Nov 5). However MSR members can ask for one now as a special treat. I had a gingerbread latte on Thursday. In fact I was the first person in the store to get a red cup! I love the new design.
Btw we also so have a almond and honey hot chocolate drink this year. I can eat nuts so I’ll have to give that one a miss!
I received an email last night offering presale opportunity to the Starbucks Swarovski crystal mug. Out of my price range at this time, but a very nice mug.
My local Starbucks started transitioning to red cups a few days ago — presumably they were just at that point in their stock levels.
You mention that the Eggnog Latte is only available in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest — do you know if that is just for now, and will be available more broadly later in the season? I have no love for the Gingerbread Latte, and the Chestnut Praline Latte doesn’t intrigue me … but the Eggnog Latte is my favorite holiday treat and I’d hate to miss it.
@Eric – In theory at least, red cups don’t start before November 1st – I know I’d seen pics of them on Twitter & Instagram so I’m sure lots of stores started breaking them out early. One thing about where I live – the stores that I mostly visit are right in the core of downtown Seattle – and from my perspective, they look as strict as they come with rules. I really notice it. Whereas I’ll see all kinds of things early on Instagram or go into other stores and still see partners wearing watches, downtown Seattle is strict.
YAY NO MORE EGGNOG MY STORE IS SO THRILLED 😀
@Kristen – LOL – I think they could’ve continued to offer eggnog all across the top of the country – cold weather places like Michigan, Mass, and more. I’m curious to see how this will go!
I’m really sad that I’m going to miss eggnog lattes this year! But I’m in China for college so I’m looking forward to trying the drinks here : cranberry white chocolate mocha and tiramisu latte.
It did not sell well at my store — it took up space and time to make it. It was noisy and smelly. And if someone wanted it extra hot, you ****literally**** made scrambled eggs with the steam wand. I’m so glad it’s gone.
@kristen. As a everyday starbizzle addict there is nothing more I look forward to than eggnog lattes this time of year. Yes, I am one of those that loves it 180 degrees and never once was it scrambled. I am very sad I will not get my favorite drink this year in Dallas. Furthermore, at over $5.00 a drink, I have the right to order it any way I want. :-).
Thanksgiving Blend and the Red Cup Gift Card were out at the store I went to yesterday. But not the actual Red Cups.
Store dot Starbucks com has all of the new holiday items to purchase. Holy cow, that’s a ton of new drinkware. I’m really digging the Marble ceramic traveler and the Bike ceramic mug.
Still waiting for a Venti sized ceramic mug.
So, when do these items and the 33/99 gift cards come out in stores? I heard Monday in Canada, so I assume it’s the same for the US?
Nov. 13 for the US. The setup is the 12th, so you might be able to find them then.
Kristen:
re: holiday items coming out on the 13th. Is that the date for the 33/99 gift cards or holiday drinkware or both?
Nov. 13 is the date for all holiday drinkware and giftcards in the US.
I forgot…Canada already had Thanksgiving! That’s why their release date is sooner!
@MJM I think all the 99 cards are displayed in the pictures for this ebay listing, if you want a preview: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/251703967088
Our area test marketed the chestnut praline latte. By the end of the season, it was neck and neck with the caramel brûlée latte. I’m glad to see caramel brûlée is back. There was some Facebook chatter about it not being offered in all the states, just PNW and a couple places in Canada. Glad to see it returning.
I’m looking forward to trying the chestnut praline, but I hope the salted caramel mocha isn’t going away, as it’s my favorite. Last year it was a winter drink, not a fall drink, so I’m not sure of the “drink schedule” for it this year.
I am going to miss not having the gingerbread latte available (I assume PNW also includes Alaska).
I am looking forward to seeing all the pretty new cups and other items!
Salted caramel mocha has always been a fall drink. It will be available for as long as your local store(s) have salt. My store had it until May last year because that’s when the last of our salt finally expired.
Wow, I thought it didn’t come out until winter last year. But then, I also thought it was a new item last year, so I haven’t really been observant! (Or it wasn’t available up here until last year; I’m sure I would have tried it if it had been available, since I love all things salted caramel. But I may have just been “locked in” on the gingerbread latte.)
Thanks for the information, Kristen. I know locally it was available all through last winter, so I’m hoping for the same this year.
No gingerbread latte in the PNW??? Starbucks is seriously on my last nerve. What could have possibly been the rationale behind this?
Also look out for a bonus star promo involving espresso shots.
The barista at Sbux just told me the state of CA is not doing eggnog lattes this year!!! Can this be true??
Yep, PNW only. I’m sure other coffee shops will have eggnog lattes.
…probably far superior ones, IMO.
The Limited-Edition Sterling Silver Starbucks Card looks interesting. Is there a magnetic strip on the back of the silver card? A magnetic strip would probably wear out quickly attached to a set of keys. The website says: “This item is currently not available” Has it sold out online already or is it not available yet? Is there a list of participating stores?
The red cups came back 30. October in Germany. Starbucks Deutschland sent out a really cute email about it Wednesday.
I’ll try the Chestnut Praline but Carmel Brule is my favorite. I’m glad it didn’t get replaced, had my first of the season as a Frappuccino this morning.
the way the CPL is advertised in stores, it looks available now. I’ll have to try and order one…
I will openly confess to hating eggnog and eggnog lattes, but if you miss them Barnes & Noble Cafes still have them. But please keep in mind that while B&N Cafes have Starbucks brand drinks, they are not Starbucks licensed stores, so no Starbucks cards/MSR. I got a sneak taste of the Chestnut Praline and it tastes just like Captain Crunch 🙁 So glad we still have GBL in my area!
I’m so bummed about Eggnog being discontinued. It was always by far my favorite. I guess I’ll be visiting Peet’s Coffee here on the west coast.
Interesting choice Starbucks, we’ll see how it plays out…
I see quite the uproar on social media over the ONLY in the PNW eggnog situation. Think it’s possible for Starbucks to make it nationwide this holiday season or is it too late..damage done?
Saw this elsewhere:
“Had a holiday promo meeting this morning. There’s a Holiday Share event Nov 12-16. “Wth the purchase of any Holiday beverage, customers receive a second Holiday beverage for free between 2-5pm. MSR members will be offered an extra hour from 5-6pm” My manager says holiday frappucinos count too…”
Heyyy!
Poland news:
-holiday season starts on the 12 of November, however some stores may start soft launch on the 4th.
-holiday beverages: Honey-Almond Hot Chocolate, and old good: Toffee Nut Latte and Gingerbread Latte.
-relaunch of Christmas Blend and Espresso Christmas Blend (there was no Espresso- blend last year. Still no Holiday Blend)
-the thing I am excited the most, as the card collector: for the first time since two years Poland is getting a new card! It’ll be core, red, Christmas card, however, it’s better than nothing
-no news about any cool merch. I’m waiting to be surprised 😛
Cheers!
@CZ the keychain sterling card is already sold out online. they will be in stores (select stores?) on the 13th!!!!
The website has a note that it will say ‘out of stock’ when sold out. It currently says ‘unavailable’ so it just may not be available for purchase yet.
i have been thinking about this “no egg nog” situation. i am, thankfully, in the PNW so we have egg nog, but i am originally from a california starbucks, and people are losing their minds down there over this. i have this feeling that starbucks will bring egg nog back, due to popular demand. kind of like with the gingerbread loaf. we will soon see.
for all you non PNW partners, good luck <3
I’m going to miss the egg nog latte, but not the noise that follows trying to steam that stuff!
The red cups were out on Halloween at my local licensed Target location.
Right now, I’m also hearing that the “soft launch” for the recurring holiday drinks is tomorrow the 3rd and that Chestnut Praline is launching the 11th or 12th.
Before I left the company, Northern California (north of Stockton / Lodi / Monterey) was actually included in the ‘PNW.’ So if you’re in Sacramento, or most of the Bay Area, you might still be able to get an Eggnog Latte.
I worked in Fresno, and Eggnog was definitely the weakest holiday beverage, but last year we dumped plenty of spiced whipped cream because the Gingerbread wasn’t much better. Caramel Brûlée, and Peppermint Mocha were 1A and 1B, with all others far behind.
Managing Eggnog was a hassle when it was a slow seller, so I’m not surprised at this move.
I am excited as a customer to finally drink this year’s Christmas Blend, it’s usually one of my favorite seasonal blends.
Xmas Blend is actually good this year! We’ll also be offering Xmas Espresso, Xmas Decaf, and Holiday Blend ALL in 1/2 lb bags only. Xmas Blonde is available in Kcups only.
I’m really disappointed to hear that Western Canada will not be serving Gingerbread Lattes this season. It is my absolute favourite , I have been looking forward to it all year….this makes no sense to me??!!
The Limited-Edition Sterling Silver Starbucks Card looks great. There is a magnetic strip on the back of the silver card as far as I’m told. Each store unless it changes will receive 4 each… manager will update as soon as he gets them. $200 each preloaded with $50. Good hunting all. Love my peppermint mocha period.
I ended up going by 4 different Starbucks today in Calgary, AB (3 were in a mall) and all of them were in full Christmas mode. The Chestnut Praline was available everywhere. The dot mug collection and the 99(?) artist cards were available in the actual stores (not the kiosk or Target ones). There seems to be a lot of merchandise this year.
Does the Thanksgiving Blend go on sale after the Thanksgiving holiday has passed? If so, can the bags be found in store? If anyone has experience with this from last year, any information is appreciated! I would like to buy a bag but haven’t even tasted it yet (local houses have the Holiday blend brewed on-hand, but not the Thanksgiving Blend), and with it being so close to the Holiday, I might see if I can get a discount if it applies.