The economy may be a question, the government in shutdown, the airports at risk of shutdown, jobs are getting scarcer and the Earth is getting warmer -- but you know what? Starbucks holiday drinks dropped today so we have that going for us.
This year's lineup includes fan favorites peppermint mocha, caramel brulée latte, iced sugar cookie latte, iced sugar cookie breve and the iced gingerbread chai.
The 2025 headline is that chestnut praline latte and the eggnog latte are returning for the first time since 2021.
And if you're looking to top your usual drink -- iced or hot -- with some festive fun, note that you can add seasonal holiday cold foam flavors including: gingerbread cream, peppermint chocolate cream, sugar cookie and caramel brulée.
Those looking for cheat codes to make their holiday drinks less calorific can utilize the new protein milk and sugar free vanilla syrups. If you're more the type to say calories don't count at the holidays consider the new pastry option: Starbucks is also welcoming the brand new Cinnamon Pull-Apart, flaky croissant pieces sprinkled with cinnamon-sugar, topped with crunchy streusel to pull apart one bite at a time.
Starbucks is also selling an assortment of mugs, tumblers and ornaments, including an item going viral on social media. The bearista glass cup promises to hold all your cold drinks in an 'unbearably' cute way. Seemingly, no one is upset about the design of the cup this year, although there are plenty of grumblers on social media about Starbucks not having enough inventory for all the folks who want bear tumblers.
The cup retails for $29.99 while holiday drinks cost about $5.50 for the tall (small) option.
While the merch and holiday drinks have arrived, Red Cup Day is still to come. That's when customers can receive a free, collectible, reusable holiday cup with the purchase of any handcrafted holiday drink. That day is next week, on Nov. 13.