Starbucks has always been at the top of the menu when it comes to the holidays. Their iconic red cup and expansive list of wintery drinks puts everybody in the holiday spirit. From peppermint mocha to gingerbread, caramel brulee, and even Dubai Chocolate, Starbucks has a flavor for everyone this winter season. But do they have a cup for everyone?
On November 6, Starbucks released the Bearista cup, which immediately went viral and sold out. Many fanatics camped outside of Starbucks, hoping to get their hands on this 20-ounce glass teddy-bear-shaped cup with an adorable green beanie and straw. But most were disappointed when they were unable to get a cup. However, through the Starbucks for Life game, reward members have a chance to win a Bearista cup, plus a ton of other cool prizes.
What happened with the last Bearista Cup release?
The reaction to the November 6 Bearista cup release was nothing short of chaos. Fans immediately rushed to stores to attempt to purchase the $30 cup, but stock was extremely limited. Fans report that many stores only had one or two bear cups available for sale. On TikTok, videos surfaced of grown adults getting into physical fights over the cup. Many people also complained that Starbucks employees got first dibs on the cups, taking them to the back for themselves before the stores even opened. This meant that even the overnight campers were unable to get a Bearista cup.
Fans very quickly took to social media to express their anger over the lack of stock for this viral cup. Starbucks was forced to issue an apology, stating that they did not expect the level of excitement over the cup and had not produced enough stock. They confirmed that the product was sold out. With no mention of a restock, fans left with no way to get their hands on the original Bearista cup turned elsewhere. They looked to eBay, where the cups were being resold for hundreds of dollars, and to stores like Walmart and Amazon that quickly began selling dupes of various quality. Some fans even began DIYing the cups using similarly shaped honey bottles.
It is unclear why the cup became so viral so quickly, and why fans decided they just needed to have it. However, about one month after the original release, Starbucks has teased that the Bearista cups will be coming back.
What did Starbucks post?
At 3 p.m. EST on December 7, Starbucks released an Instagram post about the Bearista cup. The video displays a row of classic red holiday cups being grabbed one by one with a little ding. At the end of the line sits the bear cup. The caption reads “Your chance is in the Starbucks app. Tomorrow, 12/8.”
The video provides no other information about the release. With no knowledge of when the cups would drop or where on the app to purchase them, fans were left wondering.
How did fans react to the video?
The comments on Starbucks’ video are overwhelmingly negative, as fans are still upset over the original release and worried that with this new release, they still may be unable to get a cup. Teacher and influencer @carlabeauty suggests that this new release may be like the Hunger Games, commenting, “May the odds be ever in your favor.” Disney travel planner Rachel Carl, @runtodisney, comments, “Each store is getting three this time y’all.” Fans complained of the lack of information about the new release. User @kilaerinreads says, “Some context would be nice,” while @just_me_maire85 asks, “Rage bait part 2?”
Where is the cup? Is a Bearista cup restock happening?
At midnight on December 8, fans began flooding the Starbucks app and looking for where to purchase the new Bearistas cups, only to be met with disappointment. As of Monday morning, the app has not been updated to include the new cup sale. Fans continue to express frustration on Starbucks’ original post. User @lexyd152 says that she stayed up all night waiting for a release, but now has to go to work, where she cannot have her phone with her to purchase the cup. Other fans have commented, “I don’t see anything,” and “there’s nothing yet.” Even the official account of Welch’s Fruit Snacks is calling out the lack of an update, commenting, “Still waiting??”
But at 1 p.m. EST, the news came. Now through January 4, Starbucks rewards members can play Starbucks for Life, the holiday game with prizes that range from free drinks to bonus stars. Oh, and one of the prizes is the Bearista cup.
How do I play Starbucks for Life to win the Bearista cup?
You need to have the app or visit www.starbucksforlife.com and you need to be a rewards member. From there, each week, you can take a virtual journey through Seattle, Milan, Tokyo, and New York City for a chance to win these prizes. Each week is a new city and a new prize play — your opportunity to win free beverages, cake pops, Bonus Stars, and more. Plus, when you play, you’ll be entered into a sweepstakes to win Starbucks for Life.
Winning a prize is all up to chance, so to get the Bearista cup, you need to play. And the good news is more than 600 Bearista cold cups will be up for grabs every day.