Starbucks Unveils Target-Exclusive Drink For Holiday Shoppers

By Chris Spiker From Daily Voice

Target and Starbucks are hoping to brew some sweeter sales over the holidays with their latest collaboration.

Starbucks cafés inside Target stores will exclusively debut the Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The holiday beverage will feature mocha sauce, milk, and ice over peppermint-flavored whipped cream and holiday sprinkles throughout the 2025 season.

Target Circle 360 members can try the drink early at locations nationwide on Monday, Nov. 17.

"For so many people, a Target run starts with grabbing their favorite drink from Starbucks before browsing our aisles, so together we're building on that magic with an exclusive, only-at-Target drink to add a little extra cheer to holiday shopping," said Lisa Roath, Target's chief merchandising officer of food, essentials, and beauty. "Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate is everything you'd expect when you combine Target and Starbucks. It's fun, it's creative, and it's delicious – an absolute can't-miss as you get ready to celebrate the holidays."

Starbucks said its special addition to the holiday menu will give shoppers a treat during the holiday rush.

"We wanted to create something festive and fun just for Target guests," said Alicia Binion, a member of the Starbucks beverage development team. "The Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate is a delicious beverage that brings together rich chocolate and cool peppermint flavors as well as red and green sprinkles for a pop of color and crunch."

Starbucks unveiled its Target-exclusive Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate in November 2025.

Starbucks

The Target-exclusive hot chocolate comes as more than 1,000 unionized Starbucks workers are leading a nationwide strike. Starbucks Workers United is asking the coffeehouse giant to negotiate a new deal to improve salaries, increase staffing, and respond to hundreds of unfair labor practice charges.

The "Red Cup Rebellion" comes after Starbucks posted its first sales increase in nearly two years, snapping a streak of six quarterly declines. The Seattle-based company said it has aimed to consolidate underperforming stores, modernize operations, and invest in "green apron partner hours" by increasing staffing at busy times to improve service.

Starbucks also gained attention in November for its viral "Bearista" cups. The 20-ounce, bear-shaped glasses with straws sold out within hours and even sparked fights inside Starbucks locations.

Meanwhile, Target is hoping the holidays will turn around its months-long sales slump.

The Minneapolis-based company's second-quarter total sales were down nearly 1% year-over-year, while operating income was off by almost 20%. Same-store sales fell 3.2%, marking Target's longest slump in a decade.

Target's sliding sales have been fueled in part by backlash and boycotts against the retailer's moves to abandon diversity initiatives since President Donald Trump returned to office. The company has also faced rising costs from Trump's widespread tariffs and will end its Ulta Beauty partnership by 2026.

Target is expected to release its third-quarter earnings report on Wednesday, Nov. 19.