The <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/the-holiday-season-at-starbucks-starts-tomorrow/" target="_blank">holidays have arrived</a> at Starbucks and this year, we’re bringing back all the familiar and special flavours customers love in our signature holiday cups to help spark joy in even the smallest of moments.

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Starbucks® Holiday Beverages

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Back for its 18th year, this holiday classic is made with our signature espresso, steamed milk, sweet mocha sauce and peppermint-flavoured syrup. It's all topped off with whipped cream and dark chocolate curls. 

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Caramel Brûlé Latte

The Caramel Brûlé Latte combines espresso, steamed milk and rich Caramel Brûlé Sauce, and is topped with whipped cream and Caramel Brûlé Topping.

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Chestnut Praline Latte&nbsp;

The Chestnut Praline Latte combines espresso, steamed milk and flavours of caramelized chestnuts and spices before being topped with whipped cream and spiced praline crumbs. 

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The Eggnog Latte is a perennial holiday favourite made with rich, steamed eggnog and our signature espresso. Then we top it off with a dusting of ground nutmeg for the perfect finish.

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This Canadian exclusive is based on the classic Americano Misto! It’s espresso flavoured with Irish Cream syrup, combined with hot water, steamed milk and a light layer of foam, and finished with a strike of cocoa powder topping.

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Made with Starbucks® Cold Brew or Nitro Cold Brew with Irish Cream syrup, this beverage is topped with a frothy cap of Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam like a layer of fresh snow and a dusting of cocoa powder.

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Sweet and spicy Gingerbread syrup is combined with espresso and steamed milk, and topped with whipped cream and ground nutmeg.&nbsp;

Holiday Treats and Sweets

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There might be a little magic in this buttery shortbread snowman cookie dressed up in white chocolatey icing. 

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Cranberry Bliss® Bar

A blondie cake base, topped with sweet cream cheese icing and tart, dried cranberries and orange flavoured drizzle. Also available for purchase by the tray!

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Peppermint Brownie Cake Pop

Peppermint chocolate cake mixed with buttercream and candy cane pieces, dipped in white chocolatey coating and sprinkled with candy cane bits.

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The sweet and spicy flavour of ginger, topped with orange zest infused vanilla icing.

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Looking to enjoy your favourite seasonal beverages from the comforts of home? Find Christmas Blend whole bean coffee when you pick up your holiday beverage at Starbucks. Plus, if you’re ready to check holiday shopping off your list, look for new <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/starbucks-previews-must-have-gifts-for-2020-holiday-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">limited-edition seasonal merchandise</a>, including cozy mugs, tumblers, cold cups and more, available now at Starbucks stores.

The holidays have arrived at Starbucks and this year, we’re bringing back all the familiar and special flavours customers love in our signature holiday cups to help spark joy in even the smallest of moments.

Comfort and Joy: Starbucks Canada Brings Back Holiday Favourites

Starbucks Canada

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Sometimes a Peppermint Mocha is more than just a beverage. It’s a moment of joy, a familiar ritual that connects holidays past and present. Starting tomorrow (Nov. 6), customers in Canada can enjoy the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/comfort-and-joy-starbucks-canada-brings-back-holiday-favourites/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/comfort-and-joy-starbucks-canada-brings-back-holiday-favourites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comforts of the season</a>&nbsp;at Starbucks stores with a flurry of returning seasonal favourites, including <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/product/496/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Fmochas" target="_blank">Peppermint Mocha</a>, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/product/415/hot" target="_blank">Eggnog Latte,</a> <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/product/517/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Flattes#:~:text=Espresso%2C%20steamed%20milk%20and%20rich,Hot%20Coffees%20%2F%20Caramel%20Brulee%20Latte" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/product/517/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Flattes#:~:text=Espresso%2C%20steamed%20milk%20and%20rich,Hot%20Coffees%20%2F%20Caramel%20Brulee%20Latte" target="_blank">Caramel Brûlé Latte,</a> <a href="https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/product/417/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Flattes" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/product/417/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Flattes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gingerbread Latte</a> and <a href="https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/product/873068661/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Flattes" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/product/873068661/hot?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fhot-coffees%2Flattes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chestnut Praline Latte</a>, along with <a href="https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/product/2123140/iced" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/product/2123140/iced" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Irish Cream Cold Brew</a>, Canadian exclusive <a href="https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/product/2123138/hot" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/product/2123138/hot" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Irish Cream Americano</a> and new holiday cups, food items and gifts.

While the holidays may feel a bit different this year, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season with Starbucks. The company is <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/starbucks-canada-safety-precautions-in-light-of-covid-19/" target="_blank">focused on the health and well-being of its customers and partners</a> (employees), and strives to meet or exceed the standards outlined by the Public Health Agency of Canada, including continued emphasis on cleaning and sanitizing protocols in stores and enhanced store signage to support social distancing.&nbsp;

The story behind this year’s cups

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This year’s theme, Carry the Merry, is an invitation to enjoy the little moments of brightness around you.

“When we started designing the cups over a year ago, we didn’t know anything about what 2020 would bring. Our mindset was about people carrying them out in the world as messengers of joy,” said Jeff Wilkson, Creative director for Starbucks. “In a way that message deepened as we got further and further into the year. We want to be that beacon for people, a brief moment that they can look forward to.”

To bring that sentiment to life on the cups, the team started with brand elements like the Siren and the wordmark and mixed in holiday themes and colours, drawing inspiration from the <a href="https://creative.starbucks.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks creative expression</a><a href="https://creative.starbucks.com/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://creative.starbucks.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> guide</a>.

“Early in our exploration, one of our designers had started making these little ribbons that almost looked like washi tape (a decorative, adhesive tape),” Wilkson said. “We had this one session where we were just so inspired by these different patterns that we cut them out with scissors and started wrapping them in different ways on cups.”

They continued to play with brand elements and toy with scale as the designs took shape. For the colour palette, the designers brought in shades of brand greens and a shade of red that’s a little brighter than <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/starbucks-red-cups-2015/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the shade Starbucks may be famous for</a> to give it an extra pop.

The team landed on the following four different cup designs, the same number as the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2017/20-years-of-starbucks-holiday-cups/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first holiday cup collection in 1997</a>. They come to life in a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpzKnihENj4&amp;feature=youtu.be" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpzKnihENj4&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">series of</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLJQZOyy_WA&amp;feature=youtu.be" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLJQZOyy_WA&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">holiday ads</a>, each with a feeling all its own. (“Everyone has their favourite,” he says.)

Sparkle: This red cup has vintage vibes, with cutout shapes in green like glittering holiday ornaments. The motif is repeated in a snowy white on Starbucks® cold beverage cups.

Dot: Stripes swirl around a field of Starbucks <a href="https://creative.starbucks.com/color/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">house green</a> punctuated by playful polka dots.

Brand Wrap: This modern, scaled-up version of the ribbon design features bold bands of holiday colour and the Starbucks wordmark, designer street style.

Ribbon: This design brings forward all the joyful elements of the holiday season in ribbons of brand greens and a jolly red like a cozy holiday sweater. Look closely and you’ll see the Siren’s crown, tail, and scales.

Holiday food &amp; gifts

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/comfort-and-joy-starbucks-canada-brings-back-holiday-favourites/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/comfort-and-joy-starbucks-canada-brings-back-holiday-favourites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Festive holiday food items</a>&nbsp;are also returning this holiday including the Cranberry Bliss® Bar and Snowman Cookie. Starbucks® Christmas Blend&nbsp;whole bean coffee is also making its annual return along with Starbucks® Christmas Blend Espresso Roast, Starbucks® Holiday Blend and Starbucks Reserve™® Christmas 2020 (in select stores). Or fill your stockings with a colourful <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/starbucks-previews-must-have-gifts-for-2020-holiday-season/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/starbucks-previews-must-have-gifts-for-2020-holiday-season/" target="_blank">collection of gifts</a>, including cold cups, tumblers and Starbucks Cards, with more merchandise added throughout the season.

Safely enjoying the holidays

The <a href="https://www.starbucks.ca/rewards/mobile-apps" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks® App</a> is the best way for customers to find a Starbucks location, check store hours, order ahead and use contactless payment. At select locations where social distancing can be accommodated, customers can place an order in the café and take it to-go, or they can use the order ahead and pay feature in the Starbucks App and pick it up at the counter. There will be a limited number of customers inside at one time, floor markers and signage will promote social distancing, and plexi-shields will be at the POS and handoff areas as an added barrier of protection. And, in select locations, the seating area will not be open.&nbsp;

Customers can also order at the drive thru, use curbside pickup through the Starbucks App (at participating stores) or enjoy their favourites without leaving home through <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.ubereats.com/ca/brand/starbucks/?utm_source=starbucks_can&amp;utm_medium=brandpage&amp;utm_content=PAowned" target="_blank">Starbucks® Delivers</a> powered by Uber Eats (check the Uber Eats app for availability and restrictions). For a more in-depth guide on how to safely enjoy Starbucks® holiday menu, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/celebrating-the-holidays-at-starbucks-canada/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/celebrating-the-holidays-at-starbucks-canada/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here</a>.&nbsp;

The holidays arrive at Starbucks stores in Canada tomorrow with a flurry of seasonal favourites, including Peppermint Mocha, Eggnog Latte, Caramel Brûlé Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, Gingerbread Latte, Irish Cream Cold Brew and Canadian exclusive Irish Cream Americano, alongside new holiday cups, food items, and gifts.

The Holiday Season at Starbucks Starts on Nov. 6

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Inspiration for a new Starbucks beverage can come from anywhere. A flavour, a feeling, a flicker of memory.

For Erin Marinan, product developer for Starbucks R&amp;D, it was a bit of all three. Tasked with concepting a new beverage for Starbucks, she drew from memories of making homemade Irish cream with her family, blending up creamy batches to add to coffee or give to loved ones as a gift. It sparked the idea for a beverage with classic Irish cream flavours perfect for a time of celebration and giving. 

Starting Dec. 3, customers at participating stores in Canada can enjoy Starbucks newest holiday beverages: The Starbucks® Irish Cream Cold Brew and Canadian exclusive Starbucks® Irish Cream Americano. The Starbucks® Irish Cream Cold Brew is made with Starbucks Cold Brew coffee and Irish cream syrup, topped with a frothy cap of vanilla sweet cream cold foam like a layer of fresh snow and a dusting of cocoa powder. The flavours of vanilla and cocoa perfectly complement the smooth cold brew to create a deliciously festive beverage. 

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“It pairs so well with cold brew because of the chocolate flavour in the Irish cream and the cocoa notes from the coffee,” Marinan said. “I think about that customer who’s in the middle of work or shopping, and this will help get them into the holiday spirit for the rest of the day.”

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The Starbucks® Irish Cream Americano – available only in Canada - is made with rich, caramelly espresso, flavoured with Irish Cream syrup, topped with vanilla sweet cream cold foam and finished with a strike of cocoa powder topping. 

The hottest trend in cold coffee

Cold coffee continues to be a hot trend, even in the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/iced-coffee-and-urban-moose-life-at-the-northernmost-starbucks-on-the-planet/">most wintry weather</a>, part of a cold beverage lineup that now makes up more than half of North American Starbucks beverage sales. And cold foam, first introduced <a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/video-inside-starbucks-reserve-roastery-and-tasting-room">in Starbucks Roastery locations in 2014</a>, has been an inventive addition atop beverages in Starbucks stores <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/introducing-cold-foam-at-starbucks/">since April 2018</a>, starting with Cold Foam Cascara Cold Brew, and followed by the sweet and savory Salted Cream Cold Brew that July. This fall brought the new <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/starbucks-declares-the-first-day-of-fall-with-return-of-psl-and-new-pumpkin-cream-cold-brew/">Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew</a>, the first new pumpkin coffee beverage since Pumpkin Spice Latte launched in 2003, and an instant hit with customers.

“Cold foam has been key for us from the innovation side of product development,” Marinan said. “It highlights our coffee craft with a great creamy texture and those beautiful layers. It's adding a little bit of flavour in a way that's unique to Starbucks.”

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Get in the spirit with Happy Hour

Starbucks is celebrating the season of giving in December with weekly Happy Hours in participating stores in Canada. Customers who buy one grande or larger handcrafted beverage (including holiday beverages) can get one free on Thursdays in December between 2-7 p.m. To participate, <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/mobile-apps">download the Starbucks App</a>.&nbsp;

Meet Starbucks newest holiday beverages, Irish Cream Cold Brew and Canadian exclusive Irish Cream Americano, available in stores starting Dec. 3.

Introducing Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew and Canadian Exclusive Irish Cream Americano - Starbucks Canada

Introducing Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew and Canadian Exclusive Irish Cream Americano

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Comfort and Joy: Starbucks Canada Brings Back Holiday Favourites

The Holiday Season at Starbucks Starts on Nov. 6

Introducing Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew and Canadian Exclusive Irish Cream Americano