NovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Center:It's about to be Red Cup Day at Starbucks. When is it and how to get the free coffee swag?

AI-assisted summary
• Customers who purchase select holiday beverages will receive a free limited-edition reusable red cup, while supplies last.
• The reusable cup is made with 95% recycled materials and can be brought back for a $0.10 discount on future orders.
• Starbucks Rewards members will also earn 25 Stars when they reuse their Red Cup.

An unofficial annual holiday observed by coffee enthusiasts is about to return to Starbucks very soon.

On Red Cup Day, the global coffeehouse chain rewards customers who order select holiday beverages, hot or iced, with a free limited-edition red holiday cup.

This year's annual giveaway will be observed at participating Starbucks locations nationwide on Thursday, Nov. 14, the company announced Wednesday. The reusable cup, made with 95% recycled materials, will only be available while supplies last.

Here's how you can get yours.

When is 'Red Cup Day' at Starbucks?

This year's "Red Cup Day" is on Thursday, Nov. 14.

What holiday-themed beverages are 'Red Cup Day' eligible?

Only select holiday-themed beverages offer the possibility of a red cup. The size of the drink ordered will not impact whether a customer will receive a red cup.

Holiday-themed beverages can also be ordered in store, at the drive-thru, on the Starbucks app, or ordered for delivery on "Red Cup Day."

Customers who return to Starbucks with the custom cup, or any reusable cup, will receive a $0.10 discount on their order and Starbucks Rewards members can earn 25 Stars when they bring back their reusable red cup for future orders.

Here's a list of the qualifying beverages:

• Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai Tea Latte
• Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato
• Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
• Caramel Brulée Latte
• Chestnut Praline Latte
• Cran-Merry Orange Refresher
• Cran-Merry Lemonade Refresher
• Cran-Merry Drink
• Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai
• Hot Chocolate
• Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte
• Peppermint Hot Chocolate
• Peppermint Mocha
• Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
• Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte
• Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
• Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Salted Pecan Crunch Cold Brew
• Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte
• White Hot Chocolate

Starbucks drops holiday cups for hot, cold drinks

Starbucks released holiday-themed cup collection at the beginning of the month to get the merriment going early.

Baristas will prepare your beverage in one of four different custom hot cup designs or one custom cold cup design, depending on your beverage. Most, if not all, of the cup designs were colored with a cranberry red, the signature Starbucks green, or white in some capacity.

"We love finding these genuine moments of joy and coffee to inspire the creative,” Kristy Cameron, Starbucks’ creative director, said in a statement. “Whether that’s coffee trees growing, beans roasting, cups toasting, or lights glowing – we wanted to share the warmth of our coffeehouse and the anticipation of the red cups arriving with our customers and partners.”  

This year’s theme, “Merrier Together," is a recognition of community the holidays bring as people unite through song, she said.  

“We kept thinking about this notion of voices coming together, like our siren singing,” Cameron said. “It feels musical in a way.”  

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Warm Wishes

Joyful Connection

Lyrical Landscape

Siren Chorus 

Holiday Cold Cup 

This story was updated to correct an error.