Starbucks Bearista Cup: How This $29 Cup Sparked a 2025 Holiday Frenzy
If there’s one holiday item that defined 2025, it’s the Starbucks Bearista Cup. This 20-ounce glass teddy bear cup, complete with a green beanie lid and mini Starbucks cup in its paws, didn’t just sell out — it broke the internet. Fans lined up before sunrise, TikTok exploded, and resellers turned the cup into a collector’s item worth hundreds of dollars.
The frenzy didn’t stop there. Starbucks issued an apology, teased a comeback, and even integrated the cup into the Starbucks for Life Merrython game. Here’s the complete story behind 2025’s most viral Starbucks merch.
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The hype got so intense that Starbucks had to issue a public apology — and now, the brand is teasing new opportunities to get the cup again.
This is the full story of the Bearista Cup phenomenon.
The Initial Drop: Sellout in Minutes
Starbucks released the Bearista Cup on November 6, 2025, alongside its holiday menu.
The design was irresistible:
Glass teddy bear
20-ounce size
Green beanie–style lid
Mini Starbucks cup in its paws
Striped straw
Within hours — and in many locations, minutes — the cup was completely sold out.
People lined up outside Starbucks before sunrise.
Some stores didn’t even have enough stock to meet the demand.
TikTok went wild. Instagram exploded. Customers shared videos of:
- Packed morning lines
- Empty shelves
- Employees saying “we sold out in 10 minutes”
- People celebrating the rare purchase like winning a lottery
And when fans couldn’t find the cup in stores, something even bigger happened…
The Resell Market Went Crazy
Like many viral holiday items (Stanley cups, Target collabs, Disney popcorn buckets), the Bearista Cup instantly became a collector’s trophy.
Its original price: $29.95
Its resale price on marketplaces: up to $300+
Some listings hit nearly $400 in the first 48 hours.
People joked online:
“I have a better chance of winning the lottery than getting this cup.”
Others started getting creative — turning honey jars, bear-shaped snack containers, and even mason jars into DIY “Bearista dupes.”
It was chaos, but also hilarious and very, very on brand for holiday hype season.
Customer Frustration
Right after the chaos, Starbucks’ social media comment sections blew up.
Many fans were excited — but many were frustrated:
- “Context would be nice.”
- “12 a.m. PST and nothing in the app.”
- “Fix your app!! It is not working.”
Starbucks issued a rare statement acknowledging the situation:
“The excitement exceeded our biggest expectations…
The Bearista Cup and other items sold out fast.”
They stopped short of promising a restock…
But then something unexpected happened.
Starbucks Teases a Comeback (December 8, 2025)
On December 7, Starbucks posted a simple, mysterious Instagram teaser:
“Your chance is in the Starbucks app. Tomorrow, 12/8.”
No details.
No announcement.
Just the cup — and a promise.
Fans went into detective mode.
At midnight, people checked the app.
At 1 a.m., they checked again.
At 7 a.m., still nothing.
Confusion spread… until suddenly…
The Bearista Cup Returns in the Merrython Game
Starbucks officially launched its Starbucks for Life Merrython game mid-morning on December 8, and voilà:
The Bearista Cup showed up as an “instant win prize.”
This meant:
- You can’t buy the cup
- You can win the cup
- Prize Plays are available weekly
- Participation comes from purchases, weekly challenges, and Monday reward plays
The internet went wild all over again — but this time, with hope.
Starbucks didn’t confirm whether more surprises are coming, so fans still suspect:
Another drop
Limited restock
A special promotion
A holiday gift-with-purchase moment
And while Starbucks is playing mystery Santa, another retailer jumped in…
Walmart and Other Bearista Cup Alternatives
With the original cup sold out and resellers charging absurd prices, Walmart quietly stepped in with its own bear-shaped cold cups.
These cups are:
- The same size (20 oz)
- Same bear shape
- Same faux knit beanie lid
- Same striped straw
The only difference?
No Starbucks logo — and much cheaper.
Walmart’s versions range from:
- $34.99
- All the way down to $10.63 on clearance
While they’re not official Starbucks products, they’re close enough to go viral as the “super affordable Bearista dupe.”
And fans rushed to buy these too.
Why the Starbucks Bearista Cup Went Viral
This wasn’t “just a cup.”
It was the perfect storm of:
Cute design (the cozy beanie)
Limited stock
Holiday timing
Collector culture
Starbucks’ massive fanbase
Holiday merch always does well, but a glass bear holding a Starbucks cup?
It was destined for fame.
The Bearista Cup became:
- A seasonal collectible
- A gift
- A viral TikTok prop
- A resale goldmine
- A “must-have or else” FOMO item
And now that the cup is tied to the Merrython game, the hype is only growing.
Will Starbucks Restock the Bearista Cup?
Starbucks has not confirmed a full restock.
But based on their behavior:
- They teased a comeback
- They added it to the Merrython prizes
- They responded to customer frustration
- They know there’s massive demand
It seems highly likely we’ll see:
More limited Bearista releases in December
or
A surprise holiday restock in late 2025
Starbucks loves building hype — and the Bearista Cup is now an essential part of that strategy.
The Bearista Cup’s launch perfectly coincided with the holiday season, much like other viral festive treats — from Starbucks’ holiday drinks to the McDonald’s Grinch Happy Meal, fans couldn’t get enough of limited-edition collectibles this year.
Final Thoughts
The Starbucks Bearista Cup isn’t just a holiday cup — it’s a cultural moment. From sellouts to resellers, app frustrations, DIY hacks, and the Merrython comeback, the 2025 Bearista Cup proves that Starbucks knows how to create viral holiday magic.
Whether you win it, buy a dupe, or wait for a potential restock, the Starbucks Bearista Cup is the must-have collectible of 2025.
FAQs — Starbucks Bearista Cup 2025
Is Starbucks restocking Bearista cups?
Starbucks has not confirmed a full restock yet. However, the Bearista Cup returned as an “instant win prize” in the Starbucks for Life Merrython game, and teasers suggest there could be more chances throughout December 2025.
Is the Bearista cup glass?
Yes, the Bearista Cup is made of glass. It’s a 20-ounce glass cup shaped like a teddy bear, complete with a green beanie-style lid and striped straw.
How much are the Teddy Bear cups at Starbucks?
The original Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup retailed for $29.95. Resellers have listed them for hundreds of dollars, but Walmart and other retailers now offer similar bear-shaped cups at lower prices.
Is the Starbucks Bear Cup available in Canada?
Availability may vary. The Bearista Cup was released primarily in the U.S. as part of the 2025 holiday merchandise. Canadian fans may need to check Starbucks Canada or third-party retailers for alternatives.
Will Starbucks bring back the Bearista?
Starbucks hasn’t confirmed a full restock. However, the cup’s appearance in the Merrython game and the brand’s teaser posts suggest that more limited releases may happen before the end of the 2025 holiday season.
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