A new, exclusive drink is coming to ring in the holiday season — and woo customers back to two brands facing boycotts.
On Nov. 18, all Starbucks located in Target stores — but no other Starbucks locations — will offer the new Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate.
Target Circle 360 members will get early access to the exclusive drink on Nov. 17 before it becomes available to everyone on Tuesday throughout the holiday season at participating Target locations nationwide.
Starbucks x Target Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate
The Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate is a creme Frappuccino featuring a blend of mocha sauce, milk and ice poured over a layer of peppermint-flavored whipped cream and red and green sprinkles. It’s finished with another swirl of peppermint-flavored whipped cream and more red and green sprinkles.
Alicia Binion, part of Starbucks beverage development team, said the brand wanted to make “something festive and fun just for Target guests” as a “sweet way to pause during the holiday rush and enjoy a little seasonal cheer.”
Lisa Roath, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer of food, essentials and beauty at Target, added that the drink is “everything you’d expect” from the pair of brands. “It’s fun, it’s creative, and it’s delicious — an absolute can’t-miss as you get ready to celebrate the holidays.”
Starbucks and Target Have Both Faced Boycotts This Year
Both Starbucks and Target have faced controversies that have led to decreased foot traffic and profits this year.
Earlier this year, Target announced it was scaling back its diversity, equity and inclusion program. Part of this was ending initiatives to help Black employees “build meaningful careers, improve the experience of Black shoppers and to promote Black-owned businesses following the police killing of George Floyd in 2020,” according to AP.
This led to a sustained boycott by Black customers, an ousted CEO and flagging profits for the company: Its stock has dipped 33% and lost over $20 billion in shareholder value by mid-September.
At Starbucks, layoffs, store closures and restructuring led to an 85% dip in profits in the fourth quarter.
In addition, Starbucks Workers United has organized strikes to protest policy changes at the company: In May, it led a strike to protest the new barista dress code imposed by corporate.
Then, on Nov. 13, over 1,000 unionized Starbucks workers went on strike at 65 U.S. stores on Red Cup Day — typically a high traffic time — to protest a lack of progress in labor negotiations with the company.
New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani urged his followers to boycott Starbucks while its workers are on strike.
While workers are on strike, I won’t be buying any Starbucks, and I’m asking you to join us,” he posted on X. “Together, we can send a powerful message: No contract, no coffee.
