Starbucks introduced its first holiday cup in 1997.
The seasonal cup became part of Starbucks’ annual holiday marketing and eventually developed into a widely recognized recurring tradition. Early designs used holiday imagery, while later releases featured changing colors, patterns, and illustrations.
Holiday cups are disposable seasonal beverage cups, not a separate drink size or permanent menu category. Starbucks usually introduces them alongside holiday beverages and merchandise, which is why the cup tradition is often discussed together with drinks such as the Peppermint Mocha.
The launch occurred during Starbucks’ rapid expansion in the 1990s, when the company was building a consistent visual identity across many locations. The annual redesign helped make the cups collectible and gave customers a seasonal marker that changed from year to year.