Starbucks is introducing its new Iced Cold Brew coffee nationwide with a summer promo to help you enjoy a little more of it! Buy five, and get one free!
There’s a little more to this though! First off, as everyone knows, Iced Cold Brew is now available (as of 7-7-15) everywhere across the United States. Previously, it was a regional offering only in New England states.
Previously, I wrote about the Cold Brew when it was a regional item only. I strongly recommend this older article – I met with the coffee’s recipe developer, Leslie, for that article:
Starbucks Elevates the Iced Coffee Experience.
Look for little cards inside Starbucks to collect stickers each time you buy any iced grande handcrafted beverage. The little cards are about the size of a business card, and the stickers are little look like ice cubes. If you like the Cold Brew coffee (or new Shaken Mango Black Tea Lemonade) this is the perfect way to get a better deal on them.
Whomever wrote the rules on the little card, was remarkably carefully to craft it in a way so that it’s for iced coffees or iced teas, for redemption.
You get a sticker when you buy any Grande iced handcrafted beverage. If you’re getting a Grande Coffee Frappuccino, you will get a sticker just the same as a simple Grande Shaken Iced Passion Tango Tea.
When you redeem the card, you cannot use it on a blended beverage or espresso beverage: So this card is for you if you love the traditional Iced Coffee, new Iced Cold Brew Coffee, or the Iced Teas and Iced Tea Lemonade drinks.
And speaking of cold brew, how are liking the new cold brew? 🙂
Important edit: July 10, 2015:
I checked with Media Relations at Starbucks as to what beverages earn you a sticker, and what the card may be redeemed for. Here’s what official Starbucks spokesperson Maggie Jantzen said to me:
The cards “are specifically for any size summer iced beverage – so Iced Tea, Iced Coffee, Starbucks® Cold Brew, Starbucks Refreshers™ and where available, Fizzio™ beverages. Once full, the cards can be redeemed for a 16oz (grande) summer iced beverage.”
So the key is “Summer iced beverages” – Iced Tea, Iced Coffee, Cold Brew, Refreshers, and Fizzio.
34 Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Socialize
Melody how funny you should write this post as this morning I was given this card because I only get iced green tea. It would be nice if this promotion went beyond August 2. Nice surprise for sure.
Hi Melody,
I recently when into my local starbucks in West Palm, Florida and they were brewing the cold brew. I asked my barista and they said the cold brew it for 22 hours and they have been selling out by late morning.
Apparently its really strong and will get you wired. I cant wait to try it.
Thanks for all that you do and I just love your blog. I’m hoping to find that Starbucks tote with the snacks in my area but they hadnt heard about it at my local Starbucks.
I think this just made CN’s day! He is loving the cold brew (and is even making it at home now with his Toddy). He’s been using Ethiopian but now that Kati Kati is back, he’s going for that next.
One interesting thing to note about the cold brews they serve at Starbucks is they do not come sweetened, but the brewing technique doesn’t really require it to be served with anything but ice.
BTW, remember the old bold promo from 2010 or so (wow that sounds so long ago now!)
I love this but it’s a little mis-leading. The front of the card says buy 5 iced beverages. I usually order an iced mocha. The first 2 days I got a sticker. But today, the barista didn’t give me one. And when I asked why, she pointed out the back that says you have to buy any grande iced coffee or tea. My drink doesn’t count because it’s an espresso beverage. I think they’re missing out, since it’s basically trying to get me to buy a cheaper drink (my mocha costs more than an iced coffee). Oh well!
But I am anxiously awaiting treat receipt!!!!! My second favorite time of year, right behind Christmas!
Our store is only giving stickers out for iced coffee and tea! We were originally communicated that it will be for all cold beverages, but the fine print on the back says just iced coffee and tea 🙂
Melody, I must disagree with what needs to be purchased. It can be any size iced tea, iced coffer or refresher. NO iced handcrafted drinks. This goes along with what Amanda was being told. Yes first couple of days are a adjustment period for everyone to get on the same page.
Thank You
Jorge
When does the promo expire?
I usually get the hot bold roast of the day with a splash of hot soymilk- ever since they added “misto” to the menu board i have to repeat myself several times so they don’t add that much soy.
As a comparable iced beverage Starbucks iced cold brew and regular iced coffee taste weak and bland.
The best i have figured out is an iced triple espresso in a grande cup that i add a little soymilk to-and that’s actually cheaper than my hot coffee with soy or a grande cold brew.
Our store isn’t giving them out for espresso beverages. Only iced coffee and tea, as per the back of the card. It’s not for any “Grande iced handcrafted beverage” as you stated.
@Andrew – I apologize for the initial confusion. I did speak directly with the Starbucks headquarters. The statement in bold italics IS an official Starbucks spokesperson, and that is the correct parameters of the card.
So your admitting that the first information you shared was incorrect?
@Melody No worries, good to have that clarification. Our store was unsure if we should be handing them out for Refreshers, but we will continue to do so. Thanks for your information.
@Jorge – Would you agree that my second part of the article (with the statement from Maggie Jantzen) is correct?
When I need clarification, I go straight to Starbucks partners at the SSC, and here, that’s just what I did. You should read the big edit with the bold and italics: You can get stickers for the following:
Iced Tea, Iced Coffee, Starbucks® Cold Brew, Starbucks Refreshers™ and where available, Fizzio™ beverages
I do agree with that 100%
As I said to others in the thread, I profusely apologize for the confusion. I do think the back of the card is confusing, but I know now it’s limited to the few things mentioned in the statement from Starbucks. What strikes me as odd is that Refreshers and Fizzio are not intuitive from a reading of the back of the card, but whatever my original interpretation was or whatever I think of it now, I’m going with precisely the statement by Maggie Jantzen as the correct statement.
Confusion is easy when dealing with the scale of Starbucks. CN went to Starbucks this week, they were out of cold brew so he ordered an iced tea instead. When he went up for a refill, he realized he didn’t get a card/sticker and ask and the barista said “next time you’re in and you order a cold brew I’ll give you one.”
CD, what happened to just say yes? At this point I feel I might be the only one at my store giving these out. If a customer comes in and tells me they did not get one 3 day ago I’ll give them one.
@Jorge, there are times when I wonder if it’s no longer policy. During the same visit, CN tried to buy a bag of Kati Kati that was sitting next to the register and the barista wouldn’t let him because the two bags at the register were the only bags they had left?!?
CD, just say yes, I would of asked for the manager. Maybe they wanted it for their makrout. Still not right. I would have to stay away from this store.
I purchased a Venti Refresher today and the barista refused to give me a sticker. She said her manger told her she can only give stickers if you order a grande. Seems ridiculous that Starbucks would not want me to spend more on a larger drink, hmmm I get a Starbucks everyday and the first few days I was told grande or larger and today I’m told only grande. It’s annoying that people are not on the same page!
After 7 1/2 years with Starbucks it does not surprise me that we are not on the same page. The explanation from Maggie Jantzen should be sent to EVERY store manager to post in their back room and have partners sign that they have read it. It makes it hard on us when there are so many different ways. There is only ONE correct way
Does this promotion include iced Oprah Chai?
Peggy, so sorry but it does not include the chai teas. We tried to ring one as the free drink and it did not take it.
What about towards earning stickers? Oprah Chai is not a cheap beverage (but so good), so you wouldn’t think they’d care if you bought it to earn something like a free iced black or flavored tea.
You can only earn them on what you can get with them. The only difference is that you can buy any size but only rede am them for a grande
More than half of the stores in Philadelphia aren’t handing out the cards…sigh…
Joel, have you asked for them? If you have and they still don’t offer it to you I would call Starbucks and report that and never go back to that store.
I tried the cold brew on a late Friday afternoon a couple of weeks ago. I usually only get dark roast hot brewed coffee. I liked it. I thought it was smooth and very refreshing.
Does anybody know when these little cards expire? Front states 8/2/15, back states 9/7/15
I was just in Starbucks getting a trenta refresher and the barista told me I couldn’t get a sticker for that and I explained that’s all I’ve ever gotten, and didn’t realize when I was given the card. She gave me the sticker “this time” but next time I couldn’t. I tried to politely give the card back and maybe have them give it to another customer because I only drink refreshers. Her solution was to give me an extra sticker to fill up the card. While the gesture was kind of nice. Her attitude was not.
@Erin – That’s such a disappointing story. I really wish that Starbucks would tell their partners that the default answer to most (not all) questions is “yes.” And it really is. Starbucks made its good name by that kind of customer service. And it’s just a sticker. I’m sorry that happened to you and recommend that you get feedback to Customer Service.
July 29, 2015 at 11:26 am
Does anybody know when these little cards expire? Front states 8/2/15, back states 9/7/15
I was told they are giving the cards and stickers out until 8/2. But you have until 9/7/15 to use them up if you have full cards.
Sheila, you can get the stickers up to August 2nd and have till September 7th to used the filled cards
I tried to get my free drink and she told me it expired? Is that true? If if’s not she threw my card away does this mean I can’t get it now?