Starbucks unveiled its winter menu on November 6, featuring fan-favorite drinks, new merchandise collaborations, and a Bearista cup so scarce that customers lined up before dawn; resellers are now listing it at prices of up to $1,000. 

The updated lineup mixes returning classics with bold new flavors that aim to outdo last year’s hype. Early reactions have already highlighted which drinks and merchandise pieces are emerging as this season’s standouts. 

The 2025 winter menu features beloved staples, including specials such as Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulee Latte, Iced Sugar Cookie Latte, and Iced Gingerbread Chai. Peppermint Mocha has been a fan favorite among customers, appearing on the menu since 2002. Prices for seasonal lattes generally range from $5.95 to $6.25, depending on the size and drink, making them a relatively accessible indulgence during the holidays.

Food items are also driving buzz. The Cranberry Bliss Bar, another popular item, is once again drawing praise online, while newer additions like the Polar Bear Cake Pop, Snowman Cookie, and Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread have brought festivity to the taste buds. A standout being the Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread, which proved popular enough to earn a permanent spot on Starbucks’ menu beyond the holiday season. 

Junior Kat Kresslein, shares her favorites from the winter menu. 

“The Cranberry Bliss Bar is my favorite,” Kresslein states, “It stands out and actually tastes different from regular pastries.”

After trying a few items from the winter menu myself, it’s easy to see why there’s hype around them. The Iced Gingerbread Chai Latte stood out for its notes of warm spice balanced by the creaminess chai, delivering a festive flavor which wasn’t overpowering. The Peppermint Mocha also lived up to my expectations, offering a rich chocolate base with just the right amount of peppermint. Both drinks were comforting with seasonal touches, reinforcing why Starbucks’ winter menu continues to draw so much attention year after year.

On Dec. 2, Starbucks further expanded the menu with the return of the Chestnut Praline Latte and Eggnog Latte. Former Starbucks employee Olivia Ding comments on how the Chestnut Praline Latte has consistently been a top seller because of the festive flavors.

“I think it’s typically just the flavor that appeals to customers,” Ding said, “The chestnut praline latte has such a well-rounded and easily enjoyable taste, which is why people loved it so much while I was working there… [that’s the] reason Starbucks continues to offer it every year.”

For frequent Starbucks customer Senior Shayaan Wadkar, the winter menu adds variety to his regular routine. 

 “The atmosphere is what brings me in during the winter season. It’s a great place to work, so whenever I need a cozy place to sit down and work, I just go to Starbucks.”

While he typically orders the same drink, Wadkar said the winter menu encourages him to try something new once or twice a season. 

Holiday merchandise, however, has become a major topic of Starbucks’ winter release. The Bearista cup drew massive attention online but was extremely limited in stores, with many locations receiving only one or two cups. Wadkar expressed frustration with the release of the Bearista cup. 

“The demand was surprisingly really high, and most stores only had one or two,” Wadkar said. “Given how much they were hyping it up, it felt disappointing for customers who actually wanted one.” 

Former barista Olivia Ding notes that reactions like this are common during limited-edition releases. She explained that a specific group of collectors often arrives as soon as merchandise drops, hoping to buy items before they sell out.

Starbucks later announced that customers could have another opportunity to win the Bearista cup through the “Starbucks for Life Marathon,” a Dec. 8 app-based promotion tied to the company’s updated app.  

In addition to the Bearista cup, Starbucks partnered with Hello Kitty and Roller Rabbit for its winter merchandise. The Hello Kitty collaboration includes mugs, tumblers, plush toys, and gift cards, which appealed to many customers. Red Cup Day also returned on Nov. 13, where customers would receive a reusable red cup with the purchase of a holiday drink. 

Overall, the 2025 winter menu offers everything customers expect from Starbucks during the holidays: familiar flavors, festive treats, and a cozy atmosphere, and remains available into early January. While the drinks lived up to the hype, the limited merchandise release left many customers disappointed.