Starbucks Hanukkah Blend, The Sasquatch of Coffees

[UPDATE BELOW] A reader sent us this photo, taken by a friend, of a special edition Starbucks menorah cup, which supposedly contained the chain's "Hanukkah Blend." This individual claims he bought it at an unspecified location on the Upper West Side, where the barista told him "we're serving it at Starbucks in Jewish neighborhoods for the next two weeks."

We've spent over an hour calling around to Starbucks across the city and even corporate headquarters, and though we're told there is a "Holiday Blend," nobody knows squat about any Jewish-themed coffee or beverage receptacle. (Other than this mug.) Guess what? The more the menorah cup eludes us, the more we're starting, inexplicably, to care.

At the Starbucks on 76th and Broadway, a manager tells us that while they have no Hanukkah themed paper cups, they will sell you the "Christmas Blend" (her words!) in a blue and gold Hanukkah themed bag. Not good enough! We're beginning to think the Hanukkah Blend could be the new Shamrock Shake. Also, if this is supposed to be a Hanukkah menorah, shouldn't it have a couple more candles?

UPDATE: Well, we were hoping for a Hanukkah miracle, but it looks like the skeptics have won the day. A press liaison for Starbucks writes: "We are dedicated to serving every customer regardless of how they choose to mark the holiday season. For our customers celebrating Hanukkah, we offer a selection of Hanukkah themed merchandise including mugs and tumblers. We do not offer Hanukkah blend coffee, nor do we carry blue to-go cups in our stores."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in Food on December 16, 2008 5:52 PM

Comments [rss]

jpeditor

I don't know about an Eid coffee cup, but this postage stamp should give us a hint...

patsw

I'd like to see the cup for Eid al-Adha please.

Editrixie

Sure, you were skeptical after you checked it out, but just the fact that you tried to confirm it when it looks so fake to begin with...

John Del Signore

@ Editrixie: "fell for this prank"? Honestly, did you even read what I wrote, or even the title, where I jokingly compared this to Sasquatch, a mythical creature? The entire piece was written skeptically, and I ultimately got in touch with corporate to confirm that there's no such animal.

PhilShubano

There is a group named "Pachyderm & Buck" who is claiming responsibility for this.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Pachyderm-Buck/665025017

Editrixie

I can't believe Gothamist fell for this prank.

MT49

that's great work, but those are so not starbucks lids!

NannyState

Schtarbuchs Kaffee.

asg749d

I called (and went to) the Starbucks on Johnson Ave in Riverdale and they DO NOT have such a cup. I am sure this is a brilliant, if cheap, photoshop job.

ides_of_march

Calling all Muslims: time to act offended and seethe with outrage.

PKinNYC

The only thing Starbucks cups are good for are for taking emergency dumps in...or pissing in.

valeriob

Yea... who cares? It's blue with a candlestick.

Not only is it unofficial, but if they were going for the real jewish Holiday, they would've put those two extra candles.

donner

Ummm... yes #3 that's totally a kwanzaa candle. Wtf?

pete

Viral marketing by NYU interns hired by Starbucks's ad agency.

MatthewJC

Mmmmmmm... Shamrock shake.

icedespresso

Wow - that is so homemade. I mean - you can see the stencil lines!

JenChungsBaby

Regardless, it's missing two candles.

acrocksyo

It's not real. Look at the lid of the coffee. It's not a starbucks coffee lid. You guys are gullible

Guest

Oh no, someone used the word Christmas during the Holiday season. Burn them at the stake!

EricGewiz

Where's their Festivus Blend?! Coffee made with guilt and a steel pipe!

rbeshenk

I call photoshop on this one.

I quit a short stint at Starbucks in my youth when I was told by the manager that our store was "too small" to hold any Hannukah merchandise, and so he had only ordered Christmas decor.

They had a Jewish CEO, half our customers at that location were Jewish (34th and 8th), and they sell kosher syrup, but they had no room for a few measly bags of Hannuka gelt?

Screw Starbucks. I doubt they're throwing down anything for the tribe.