Starbucks Announces Return of Viral Bearista Cup With Mystery Blind-Box Edition

Starbucks has officially announced the return of its viral Bearista Glass Cold Cup for the holiday season, introducing a brand-new mystery blind-box collection alongside a restock of the original fan-favorite design. The upcoming holiday merchandise lineup follows massive demand from last year, when the collectible drinkware quickly sold out and generated widespread attention across social media platforms.

The 2026 holiday rollout will be split into two distinct release dates at participating United States coffeehouses. The first phase is scheduled for November 10, when Starbucks will introduce the Glass Bearista Cold Cup – Surprise Box Edition. This new collection features concealed packaging, meaning customers will not know which specific character design they have purchased until they open the box.

Following the blind-box release, the original Bearista Glass Cold Cup will return to select stores on December 1. The classic transparent glass cup features a bear-shaped design topped with a green hat. Both collections will be available in strictly limited quantities and only while supplies last, prompting anticipation among collectors.

The original Bearista cup became a major sensation after its debut, with high demand leaving many customers unable to secure one. Last year, the Seattle-based company issued an apology after merchandise sales exceeded expectations and inventory vanished rapidly across numerous locations. To help satisfy the overwhelming interest, Starbucks eventually produced thousands of additional units.

While the company has confirmed release dates and general availability, it has not yet published a complete list of character designs, pricing details, or exact unit counts for the upcoming mystery collection. Furthermore, Starbucks has noted that stock levels and participation will vary by location, meaning not every store is guaranteed to receive the specialty items.

Industry observers suggest that eager shoppers might want to target licensed Starbucks kiosks inside grocery stores and larger retailers, which often receive independent stock shipments and lighter foot traffic compared to standard standalone locations. Additionally, the Bearista merchandise rollout is entirely separate from the company's annual Red Cup Day promotion, which features complimentary reusable seasonal cups for qualifying beverage purchases.