Starbucks fans may need to brace another round of retail brawl over this viral-worthy seasonal swag.
Starbucks is dropping its highly anticipated Bearista Glass Cold Cup — Surprise Box Edition on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at select locations nationwide, the coffee giant announced today.
Hidden inside each blind box is one of five seasonal “Bearista” glass cups: Reiny, Aspen, Joy, Bunny and Goldie — a rare mystery character that has yet to be revealed.
Priced at $39.95, each hand-blown glass cup comes packed with a personalized collector card detailing its “vibe, holiday tradition and signature Starbucks beverage order.”
The lineup was given distinct personalities by Starbucks: Aspen is dubbed an “alpine adventurer who’s all about sunrise ski runs and lodge hangs,” while Reiny is a “giddy-up glow-getter” who prefers “settling in to watch classic holiday movies.”
Bunny is a color-changing “winter wanderer who loves snowy walks,” and Joy is a “whimsical winter dreamer” dedicated to “curating the ultimate snow globe collection.”
To curb chaos, store purchases will be strictly limited to two surprise boxes per customer — a safeguard following the chaotic scenes and physical fights that ensued during previous Bearista releases.
The initial viral launch of the Bearista Glass Cold Cup reportedly generated $64 million in incremental revenue over just a two-week period, according to Facteus.
In one viral TikTok video from last year’s drop, frantic shoppers were filmed wrestling over a single Bearista cup inside a store.
The frenzy quickly spilled onto reseller platforms, where the viral cups fetched up to $200 on eBay and astronomical asking prices of $800 on Mercari, according to TODAY.com.
A spokeswoman for Starbucks told the WSJ the demand for its Bearista cup “exceeded even our biggest expectations” last year, as customers lined up before store openings to get their hands on a Bearista.
For die-hard fans eager to skip tomorrow’s lines, a limited stock launches early for Starbucks Rewards Reserve members on the Starbucks Shop on Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT, capped at one cup per member.
The online storefront opens to the general public on Nov. 10, featuring a full line of festive Bearista merch, including branded hoodies, sweatshirts and graphic tees.
The festive lineup follows previously released fan favorites from earlier this year: the Soccer Bearista, Pink Bearista and Snoopy Glass Cold Cup.
The release lands right in the middle of Starbucks’ holiday push. On Nov. 5, the chain kicked off the festive season by rolling out its signature holiday cups – including a debut seasonal pup cup — a free 3.5-ounce serving of whipped cream in a small cup for dogs
This year’s lineup features three new drink creations — the Tiramisu Velvet Latte, Tiramisu Velvet Cold Brew and Apple Pomegranate Refreshers — alongside classic staples like the Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte and Sugar Cookie Latte.
And the reusable Red Cup returns Tuesday, Nov. 17, free to customers who order any holiday beverage while supplies last.
The holiday cheer continues Dec. 1 with three new Snowcap Marshmallow drinks — available hot or iced in Mocha, Matcha and Hot Chocolate options — topped with a brand-new marshmallow-flavored cold foam.
And to wrap up the season, the new Starbucks Merry Berry Frappuccino makes its official menu debut on Dec. 17.
