Starbucks' revamped red cups are back despite past scandals — here's what they look like this year (SBUX)
- Starbucks' red holiday cups return on Friday.
- The coffee chain is kicking off the holiday season on November 2, with the return of seasonal menu items, festive decor, and the 2018 red cups, which come in four varieties.
- Starbucks' red cups have been plagued by sometimes bizarre scandals in years past, including 2015 when a viral video claimed that Starbucks "removed Christmas" from its minimalist cups.
Starbucks' holiday cups are back.
On Friday, Starbucks will kick off the holiday season with seasonal drinks like the Peppermint Mocha, festive decor, and — of course — the iconic red cups.
This year, however, the cups aren't all red.
As in years past, including the 1997 launch of the chain's holiday cups, the holiday cups will come in four varieties. 2018 cup variations include minimalist red stripes, holly leaves intended to mimic coffee cherries, red houndstooth, and green stars.
The chain is also giving away free, reusable red cups to customers who order a seasonal beverage on Friday.
Read more: Starbucks debuts a Halloween-themed Frappuccino as Dunkin' Donuts doubles down on upscale espresso
Starbucks' holiday cups have been plagued by controversies in years past.
In 2017, #BoycottStarbucks began trending after a conspiracy theory emerged that the chain's holiday cups featured the hands of a lesbian couple.
In 2015, the chain's minimalist red cups faced backlash after video claiming that Starbucks "removed Christmas from their cups" went viral. The cups quickly became a topic of discussion for major publications, late-night talk show hosts, and even Donald Trump, then a presidential candidate.
"No more 'Merry Christmas' at Starbucks," Trump said at a a pre-debate rally in Springfield, Illinois at the time. "Maybe we should boycott Starbucks. I don't know. Seriously. I don't care."
Starbucks is also rolling out new holiday treats on Friday. In addition to classics such as the Gingerbread Loaf, the chain will sell items such as the Chocolate Swirl Brioche, the Pistachio Honey Croissant, and the Sugarplum Cheese Danish.
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