Starbucks Holiday Menu 2026: Release Date, New Drinks & Red Cup Day

The Starbucks holiday menu for 2026 arrives in U.S. stores on Thursday, Nov. 5. That’s the day the Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Sugar Cookie Latte and Gingerbread Chai come back, alongside two brand-new drinks: a Tiramisu Velvet lineup and an Apple Pomegranate Refresher. Red Cup Day, when you get a free reusable holiday cup with a holiday drink, follows on Tuesday, Nov. 17, and the viral Bearista glass cup returns in two waves, on Nov. 10 and Dec. 1.

Here’s everything Starbucks has confirmed so far, what’s new, what’s coming back, and how to make sure you don’t miss the limited items.

When does the Starbucks holiday menu come out in 2026?

Starbucks announced on Oct. 5 that its holiday beverages, food and first merchandise collections launch on Nov. 5, 2026. That’s a Thursday, and it lands right after Election Day, so expect the usual first-day rush at drive-throughs and in the app.

The rollout doesn’t happen all at once. Here are the key dates Starbucks has shared:

Nov. 5: Holiday drinks and food launch, plus the Holiday Bearista, Holiday Village and Peppermint Mocha merchandise collections.
Nov. 10: The Glass Bearista Cold Cup Surprise Box Edition arrives, in limited quantities.
Nov. 17: Red Cup Day, plus the Winter Wonderland merchandise collection.
Dec. 1: The original Bearista Glass Cold Cup returns to select stores while supplies last.

If you live outside the U.S., your dates and menu may differ. Starbucks Australia, for example, is launching its holiday menu on Nov. 3 with a different lineup built around summer flavors.

What’s new on the 2026 Starbucks holiday menu

Tiramisu Velvet Latte and Tiramisu Velvet Cold Brew

The headline drink this year is inspired by the Italian dessert. The Tiramisu Velvet Latte comes hot or iced, and there’s also a Tiramisu Velvet Cold Brew. According to Starbucks, both are topped with a velvet mascarpone cold foam and a dusting of cocoa and coffee. If you like the creamy, dessert-style drinks Starbucks has leaned into in recent years, this is the one to try first.

Apple Pomegranate Refresher and Snowy Apple

For people who skip coffee, the new Apple Pomegranate Refresher pairs crisp apple flavors with popping pomegranate-flavored pearls. There’s also a creamier version called the Snowy Apple, made with coconut milk. It’s a rare non-coffee, non-tea option on a holiday menu that usually leans heavily on espresso.

New holiday food

Three new food items join the case on Nov. 5:

Bearista Cake Pop, inspired by the Bearista glass cup, for a limited time
Braised Short Rib Grilled Cheese
Turkey & Stuffing Sandwich, back with a new recipe

Returning holiday favorites

The classics are all back. Starbucks confirmed the return of these drinks:

Peppermint Mocha
Caramel Brulée Latte
Sugar Cookie Latte
Gingerbread Chai

On the food side, the Cranberry Bliss Bar, Snowman Cookie and Sugar Plum Cheese Danish return too. Starbucks hasn’t published national prices for the holiday items, and prices usually vary by store and region, so check the Starbucks app for what your local store charges.

Starbucks Red Cup Day 2026: Nov. 17

Starbucks confirmed to USA TODAY that Red Cup Day will be on Tuesday, Nov. 17. On that day, you’ll get a collectible, reusable holiday cup when you buy any handcrafted holiday beverage, at participating stores and while supplies last.

A few things worth knowing:

The cup design hasn’t been revealed yet. Starbucks told USA TODAY more details will come closer to the date. Last year there were six designs, including red cups with bows and red-and-green plaid patterns, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Last year’s giveaway worked however you ordered. In 2025 the cup came with in-store, drive-through, app and delivery orders through DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats. Starbucks hasn’t yet said whether 2026 works the same way.
Bringing the cup back paid off in 2025. Customers who brought back a reusable cup after Red Cup Day got 10 cents off their drink, and Rewards members earned double Stars on their order. The 2026 perks haven’t been announced.
Go early. “While supplies last” really matters here. Popular stores often run out of cups before the afternoon.

The Bearista cup is back: Nov. 10 and Dec. 1

The Bearista Glass Cold Cup, a bear-shaped glass cup that turned into a viral sensation in 2025, is returning in two ways.

First, on Nov. 10, Starbucks will release the Glass Bearista Cold Cup Surprise Box Edition. Each box holds a mystery Bearista character that you only see once you open it. Starbucks says quantities are limited.

Then, on Dec. 1, the original Bearista Glass Cold Cup returns to select coffeehouses while supplies last, which Starbucks pitched as “just in time for holiday gifting.” If you’re planning to give one as a gift, it’s smart to know your holiday shopping calendar. Our guide to Black Friday 2026 sale dates by store can help you plan the rest of your list.

Holiday merchandise collections

Beyond the Bearista cups, Starbucks has four holiday merchandise collections:

Holiday Bearista (Nov. 5): Bearista-themed drinkware, a plush keychain and matching accessories.
Holiday Village (Nov. 5): Keepsakes inspired by Starbucks’ original Pike Place store in Seattle.
Peppermint Mocha (Nov. 5): Retro-style cold cups, tumblers and espresso cups.
Winter Wonderland (Nov. 17): Cool-toned drinkware with wintry textures.

There’s also a grocery side to the season. Starbucks says its new Peppermint Mocha Flavored Coffee, along with returning holiday coffees, creamers and ready-to-drink options, is already on store shelves, so you can make a holiday drink at home before Nov. 5.

Tips for getting the limited holiday items

Use the app on launch day. Ordering ahead on Nov. 5 can save you a long wait, and the app shows which items your store actually has.
Show up early for cups. For Red Cup Day on Nov. 17 and the Bearista releases on Nov. 10 and Dec. 1, morning visits give you the best odds.
Expect store-to-store differences. Merchandise and limited food can vary by location, and not every store carries every collection.
Watch for Rewards offers. Starbucks often runs app promotions during the holidays, so keep notifications on if you’re a member.

If you’re traveling for the holidays, airport Starbucks locations are often busiest of all. Our breakdown of why holiday airfares are so high in 2026 and how to save has more tips for the trip.

FAQ

What day does the Starbucks holiday menu start in 2026?

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, in the U.S. That’s when the holiday drinks, food and first merchandise collections launch.

When is Starbucks Red Cup Day 2026?

Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026. Buy any handcrafted holiday beverage at a participating store to get a free reusable holiday cup, while supplies last.

Is the Peppermint Mocha back at Starbucks?

Yes. The Peppermint Mocha returns on Nov. 5 along with the Caramel Brulée Latte, Sugar Cookie Latte and Gingerbread Chai.

What are the new Starbucks holiday drinks for 2026?

The Tiramisu Velvet Latte (hot or iced), the Tiramisu Velvet Cold Brew, the Apple Pomegranate Refresher and its coconut-milk version, the Snowy Apple.

When does the Starbucks Bearista cup come back?

A mystery Surprise Box Edition arrives Nov. 10, and the original Bearista Glass Cold Cup returns to select stores on Dec. 1, while supplies last.

Featured image: “RedCup” by israelavila, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Shows a past year’s Starbucks holiday cup, not the 2026 design.