The Official 2025 Starbucks Holiday Menu: Release Date, New Drinks, And Red Cup Day Revealed
The countdown to the most wonderful time of the year for coffee lovers is officially over! As of today, December 13, 2025, the highly anticipated Starbucks holiday menu has been in full swing for over a month, delighting fans with a mix of returning festive favorites and exciting new additions. The coffee giant officially ushered in the season with its main holiday launch on Thursday, November 6, 2025, marking the start of the holiday season and the return of the iconic seasonal beverages and festive cups.
The 2025 holiday launch confirmed that Starbucks is sticking to its early November tradition, giving customers plenty of time to enjoy the seasonal flavors before the end of the year. This year's lineup is particularly noteworthy for the triumphant return of a beloved classic that was conspicuously absent last year, alongside a brand-new take on a traditional holiday flavor. From the classic Peppermint Mocha to the highly collectible Hello Kitty merchandise, here is everything you need to know about the 2025 Starbucks holiday season.
The Official Starbucks 2025 Holiday Menu Release Date
For those who mark their calendars by the arrival of the red cups and seasonal syrups, the 2025 Starbucks holiday season began in two distinct phases, starting with the main launch in early November. This staggered release ensures the holiday cheer lasts longer and allows different seasonal favorites to shine throughout the late fall and early winter months.
Phase 1: The November 6th Main Launch
The bulk of the holiday menu, including four core handcrafted beverages, the new merchandise, and the festive bakery items, dropped on November 6, 2025. This date continues Starbucks' pattern of launching its seasonal menu right after Halloween, effectively transitioning from the Pumpkin Spice Latte season to the Christmas season in one swift move. The initial release included the most popular and long-standing holiday drinks, ensuring the holiday rush started immediately.
Phase 2: The Mid-Season Return of Classics
Two of the most requested holiday beverages made their return a few weeks later, generally becoming available around the start of December. This later release is a key detail for fans of these specific drinks, who often look for them earlier in the season. These classics include the Chestnut Praline Latte and the much-celebrated Eggnog Latte.
The Festive Lineup: 6 Must-Try Holiday Drinks for 2025
The 2025 Starbucks holiday drink menu features a total of six main seasonal offerings, covering a wide range of flavors from minty chocolate to buttery caramel and spiced gingerbread. Whether you prefer your drink hot, iced, or blended, all these options can be customized to your liking.
- Peppermint Mocha: A true icon of the season, this classic beverage is making its 23rd comeback in 2025. It combines espresso, steamed milk, mocha sauce, and peppermint-flavored syrup, topped with whipped cream and dark chocolate curls.
- Caramel Brulée Latte: A fan-favorite featuring espresso, steamed milk, and rich caramel brulée sauce, finished with whipped cream and crunchy caramel brulée bits.
- Iced Sugar Cookie Latte: This modern classic, which debuted a few years ago, returns with a buttery, vanilla-flavored syrup and festive red and green sprinkles. It is often ordered with Oatmilk to enhance the sugar cookie flavor.
- Iced Gingerbread Chai: A new twist on a holiday flavor, this beverage combines the warming spices of chai with the sweet, deep notes of gingerbread. It's a perfect option for those looking for a non-coffee holiday treat.
- Chestnut Praline Latte: Available in December, this drink offers a cozy blend of caramelized chestnuts and sweet praline, topped with whipped cream and spiced praline crumbles.
- Eggnog Latte: After being missed last year, the Eggnog Latte is back for 2025! This returning favorite features rich, creamy eggnog paired with espresso, providing a perfect dose of holiday nostalgia.
More Than Just Drinks: Red Cups, Treats, and Merchandise
The Starbucks holiday experience extends far beyond the handcrafted beverages. The launch also includes the annual Red Cup Day, a fresh lineup of festive bakery items, and a highly anticipated merchandise collaboration, all of which contribute to the seasonal excitement and drive significant customer traffic.
The Return of Red Cup Day 2025
Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 13, 2025—the official date for Red Cup Day. This annual promotion is one of Starbucks' busiest days of the year, where customers who purchase any handcrafted holiday beverage (hot, iced, or blended) receive a free, limited-edition reusable holiday cup. Using this collectible cup throughout the season can sometimes lead to special discounts or promotions, so getting one early is a must for dedicated fans.
New and Returning Holiday Bakery Treats
The bakery case has been dressed for the season with a mix of new and returning festive treats. The fan-favorite Snowman Cookie is back, featuring a classic snowman shape decorated with icing, blue earmuffs, and a scarf. New this year is the adorable Polar Bear Cake Pop, which has a vanilla cake center with a white chocolate coating and a cute Santa hat decoration. Another new item is the Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread, a miniature, individual treat perfect for a morning coffee pairing. The beloved Cranberry Bliss Bar and Sugar Plum Cheese Danish also make their anticipated return.
The Hello Kitty Merchandise Collaboration
In a major surprise for collectors, Starbucks launched a limited-edition merchandise collaboration with Hello Kitty on November 6, 2025. This collection includes a variety of festive drinkware and gifts, such as a Hello Kitty Plushie wearing a Starbucks apron, ceramic mugs, and stainless steel cold cups. This collaboration is separate from the main holiday merchandise line, which features new designs on tumblers and mugs, including a "Starbucks Bearista" cold cup.
The Reserve Experience: Elevated Holiday Sips
For those near a Starbucks Reserve Roastery or a select Reserve store, the holiday menu includes an elevated, exclusive experience that goes beyond the standard offerings. These special locations released their holiday menu simultaneously on November 6, 2025, with unique, decadent items.
- Caramel Miso Hot Cocoa: A new, shimmering hot cocoa with edible gold flakes, offering a savory-sweet twist on a classic.
- Holiday Espresso Martini Flight: A sophisticated offering featuring seasonal flavors in an espresso martini, perfect for a holiday evening treat.
- Starbucks Reserve Peppermint Mocha: An elevated version of the classic, made with 70% cacao chocolate and the exclusive Starbucks Reserve Christmas 2025 espresso.
The availability of these Reserve-specific items adds another layer of topical authority and excitement to the overall holiday launch, appealing to a different segment of the coffee-loving audience looking for a premium experience.
Making the Most of the Starbucks Holiday Season
With the holiday menu now fully launched, the best way to enjoy the season is to explore the full range of offerings. The initial launch on November 6th provided the core favorites, but the later arrival of the Chestnut Praline Latte and Eggnog Latte in early December rounded out the full festive experience. Remember that these seasonal drinks and treats are only available for a limited time, usually until the end of the year or while supplies last, so be sure to try your favorites before they disappear.
Beyond the drinks, the holiday coffee blends are also available for brewing at home, including the Christmas Blend, Christmas Blonde Roast, and Holiday Blend. The combination of the iconic red cups, the delicious seasonal drinks, and the festive treats makes the Starbucks holiday launch a true cultural moment that signals the start of the winter festivities for millions of people worldwide.
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