Starbucks just jolted the holiday merch world again. The Bearista Cold Cup, the teddy bear shaped glass that vanished on launch day, is getting a fresh shot at life inside the Starbucks app today. I can confirm the brand is steering fans to Rewards, not stores, and the plan focuses on digital wins tied to its holiday game. Details are tight, so the window may be short. The appetite is not.
What is happening today
Starbucks is pointing customers to the app for another chance at the Bearista. The return is not a simple shelf refill. Instead, the company is aligning access with its Merrython game inside Starbucks Rewards. Based on internal targeting for the promotion, up to 17,000 cups are expected to be awarded as instant wins. Timing and mechanics may vary by market, and some accounts will not see the offer immediately.
This is a shift, and it is deliberate. After the November 6 debut sold out in minutes, in store drops became flashpoints. Moving to the app lets Starbucks control flow, cut lines, and dial up engagement. It also keeps the holiday campaign inside a space the company owns.
Starbucks is moving the Bearista hunt from the shelf to the screen, which changes who gets access and how fast it goes.
The drop that lit the fuse
The Bearista Cold Cup landed November 6. It is a 20 ounce glass, shaped like a chubby teddy with a green beanie lid and candy stripe straw. Price, 29.95 dollars. Stock, painfully thin. Many stores saw one or two units. Some got none. Cups were gone before lunch, and tempers ran hot.
The fallout was instant. Resale prices soared. Shoppers accused stores of holding back. Managers apologized. Starbucks issued regret over the disappointment and promised better communication. By then, the cup had crossed into collectible territory. It was no longer just drinkware. It had become a trophy.
Other retailers noticed. Walmart and Aldi rushed out bear themed cold cups at far lower prices. That copied the look, and met demand for cute at a calmer price point. The signal was clear. Scarcity paired with charm can bend shopping behavior fast.
Why this cup hit a nerve
Food culture loves a cozy anchor. In 2025, iced drinks are year round and cold foam is a home skill. The Bearista marries that behavior with a story you can hold. It sits at the sweet spot, playful design, clear glass for layered drinks, and just enough rarity to feel special.
The app pivot raises the stakes. Gamification taps the dopamine loop that already drives mobile ordering. You earn a shot at the cup by doing what you were going to do anyway, buy holiday drinks, play, return tomorrow. It is smart marketing, but a risky dance. Fans want fun, not whiplash.
How to actually get one
Here is the cleanest approach I am advising today, based on how the campaign is structured:
- Update the Starbucks app, sign in, and open Rewards, then Merrython.
- Play early, then again in the early afternoon, when many instant win pools refresh.
- Keep payment set and a favorite store saved, in case a purchase unlock is required.
- If you miss, check again over the next few days, prizes often roll out in waves.
Skip wild resale listings. Counterfeits are already in the market, and buyer protections are thin for merch this new.
Recipes and the home café moment
The Bearista is not just cute. It is built for the drinks people actually make now. Clear glass shows off layers. The wide straw suits cold foam and cookie crumbles. If you win one, celebrate with a sugar cookie cold brew at home. Mix brewed cold coffee with a teaspoon of vanilla syrup and a pinch of almond extract. For foam, shake heavy cream with a splash of milk, a dash of sugar, and a drop of vanilla in a jar until thick. Spoon it over the coffee, then add sprinkles if you like.
Matcha works beautifully here too. Whisk matcha with a little hot water, chill, then pour over ice with milk and honey. Top with vanilla bean cold foam. The bear shape makes even simple drinks feel festive. That is the heart of the appeal. It turns a Tuesday iced latte into a moment.
The dining culture angle is larger. The Bearista proves holiday merch can be the main course, not a side. It blurs the line between cafe and home kitchen, between brand and ritual. Starbucks is now designing objects that shape how we make and show our drinks, not just where we buy them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Bearista Cup being restocked in stores today?
A: No. Access is shifting to the Starbucks app, tied to the Merrython Rewards game.
Q: How many cups are coming back?
A: The plan in motion points to about 17,000 instant win prizes, with rolling release times.
Q: What exactly is the cup?
A: A 20 ounce glass cold cup, teddy bear shaped, with a green beanie lid and striped straw.
Q: How should I care for it?
A: Treat it like a glass collectible. Hand wash, avoid sudden temperature shocks, and store upright.
Q: Are there cheaper alternatives?
A: Yes. Several retailers have bear themed cold cups at lower prices, though not official Starbucks items.
Starbucks wanted joy, and it got a frenzy. By pushing the Bearista into the app, the company is betting it can keep the magic while easing the mayhem. For fans, the play is simple, get in, play fair, and keep your coffee fun.
