Today, Canadians can rejoice that summer is BACK at Starbucks. Back by popular demand is the Summer-Berry Starbucks Refreshers® trio, alongside the creamy White Chocolate Macadamia Cream Cold Brew, alongside a new Strawberries & Cream Cake Pop and new Egg, Pesto & Mozzarella Sandwich. All are available at Starbucks stores in Canada for a limited time, while supplies last.

·Summer’s back, and it’s bursting with berries:
Returning for its second year, the Summer-Berry Starbucks Refreshers® features a sweet and summery blend of raspberry, blueberry and blackberry flavours shaken with ice and water, poured over a layer of popping raspberry flavoured pearls for a juicy burst in every sip. Also available with lemonade in the Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher or with creamy coconut beverage in the
Summer Skies Drink.

Fun Fact: In its debut year, the Summer-Berry Starbucks Refreshers drove the highest week
one product launch in the company’s history in Canada.

·Cool down with a cold brew:
The fan-favourite White Chocolate Macadamia Cream Cold Brew returns with sweet macadamia syrup and topped with white chocolate macadamia cream cold foam and toasted cookie crumbles, making it the ultimate cold-meets-creamy summer sip.

·Strawberries are IN:
New to the bakery case for the summer is the Strawberries & Cream Cake Pop, made with strawberry cream cake, buttercream, and dipped in chocolate with a festive summer finish.

·A new vegetarian delight:
The new vegetarian Egg, Pesto & Mozzarella Sandwich joins the permanent menu—featuring fluffy cage-free egg frittata with kale and basil pesto, topped with a creamy slice of mozzarella on a toasted cheddar and onion bun.

·Summer in full colour:
Starbucks has partnered with Brazilian fashion and lifestyle brand FARM Rio to launch a limited-edition drinkware collection. Available at Starbucks stores across Canada starting May 13 for a limited time, the exclusive line celebrates the vibrant beauty of nature in full bloom. Inspired by the rich culture and natural landscapes of Rio de Janeiro, FARM Rio brings its signature blend of bold colour, artisanal craftsmanship, and joyful design to this unique collaboration. Learn more about the collection on Starbucks Stories.

Cherry Coded is taking the world by storm and Starbucks new Cherry Cream Cold Foam, is quite literally the cherry on top for those looking to stay on trend. Since launch, fans have gotten creative, pairing the cold foam with classic Starbucks beverages to add a touch of spring to their year-round favs. This includes a dreamy Iced Mocha with Cherry Cream Cold Foam, featuring Starbucks full-bodied espresso combining decadent mocha sauce, milk and ice, topped with cherry cream cold foam and cherry crunch topping.

While not an official drink on the menu, here’s how you can enjoy this trending flavour combination courtesy of Starbucks. Customers can order:

An Iced Caffè Mocha
Remove the whipped cream
Add Cherry Cream Cold Foam
Add Cherry Crunch Sweet Topping

Plus, cherry fans can continue to discover more must-try cherry beverage customizations at Starbucks, including a Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew with cherry cream cold foam or a Strawberry Acai Lemonade Refresher, no strawberries, and add 2 scoops of cherry powder.

You may have heard it here first…

Get ready to do the happy dance for an exciting collaboration that’s equal parts cute and nostalgic. On March 24, 2025 Starbucks and Peanuts will be launching exclusive, limited time merchandise featuring the Peanuts-gang and a fun new Snoopy persona: Joe Kind Snoopy. The drinkware is designed to celebrate kindness, coffee and community and is only available at Starbucks for a limited time, so fans should check their local stores before “good grief!” – they’re gone.

Peanuts Joe Kind Snoopy Stainless Steel Tumbler (16oz) – $41.95

This stainless steel tumbler features the brand new Joe Kind Snoopy and his pal Woodstock basking in love, joy and happiness. With a spill-resistant flip lid, fans can enjoy any beverage on the go.

Peanuts Friendship Ceramic Mug (14oz) – $24.95

Sporting this season’s trending butter yellow hue in a matte finish, this mug showcases the Peanuts gang hanging out and having fun.

Peanuts Love Cold Cup (24oz) – $28.95

A cold cup and spring go together like Snoopy and Woodstock. Perfect for carrying the new Iced Cherry Chai, this tumbler has an easy-to-clean design with its double-wall construction.

Peanuts Joe Kind Snoopy Stainless Steel Water Bottle (16oz) – $41.95

This stainless steel water bottle features Joe Kind Snoopy and Woodstock feeling the love after uplifting their friends with little acts of kindness. Ideal for all day sipping, this bottle keeps beverages hot for six hours and cold for nine hours.

Plastic Water Bottle (24oz) Peanuts Gratitude and Compassion – $24.95

This plastic water bottles demonstrates the perfect picture of kindness – Joe Kind Snoopy helping Woodstock feel better. This bottle comes with a convenient retractable lanyard for easy carrying.

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On Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Starbucks is saying goodbye to the chill of winter and ringing in the long-awaited spring. This year’s Starbucks Spring Menu welcomes the new Iced Cherry Chai, the first springtime Chai to join the menu, adding a whimsical element to the popular tea beverage. Also joining the menu is the NEW Jalapeño Chicken Pocket and the NEW Spicy Falafel Pocket, alongside returning lavender beverages, available for a limited time.

Here are the highlights of the Starbucks Spring Menu:

– A cheerful combination: The new Iced Cherry Chai puts an elevated springtime twist on the beloved Iced Chai Latte, featuring a cherry cream cold foam that offers notes of cherry with a cherry crunch topping.

– “When you take a sip of Iced Cherry Chai, you immediately get a creamy texture and warm spices along with notes of cherry – and it all comes together in an approachable way,” said Billy Altieri, lead beverage developer for Starbucks.

–Pocket full of spice: Joining the permanent menu are the new, certified vegan, Spicy Falafel Pocket, combining smashed falafel, creamy hummus, roasted red bell peppers, pickled onions, and a spicy herb sauce, all wrapped inside a toasted lavash flatbread, and the new Jalapeño Chicken Pocket, stuffed with diced chicken, charred poblanos, green jalapeños, three-chile-pepper cheese and jalapeño cream cheese, wrapped in a toasted chile lavash flatbread.

–Love for lavender: Back by popular demand, lavender returns to the Starbucks Spring Menu, including the Iced Lavender Cream Oat Matcha, Iced Lavender Latte and Lavender Crème Frappuccino® Blended Beverage.

– A new blonde in town: Starbucks Sunsera Blend is a new blonde roast crafted with easy drinking in mind, launching at Starbucks cafes in Canada on March 4. Starbucks Sunsera will be available to purchase as a whole bean 1Lb bag or as the featured light roast in cafes.

–This new blend is Starbucks smoothest, brightest coffee yet, crafted with 100% Arabica coffees from Brazil and Colombia. It’s naturally sweet with notes of bright citrus and toasted almond, available for a limited time only.

–Spring merchandise: A brand-new assortment of spring merchandise has arrived in Starbucks stores featuring vibrant new hues and a matching cherry blossom line of hot and cold drinkware to welcome in the season. Plus, a brand new crossbody bottle bag is now available to help carry your beverage of choice in style.

Starbucks Canada have just announced their upcoming Valentines 2025 menu, plus also a new line of Blackberry Refreshers!

The Blackberry Sage Refreshers: Leaning into the moody vibe of the season with a brand-new Refresher on the Starbucks winter menu brings a sweet and savoury taste to the iconic Refreshers line-up. Made with green coffee extract the Blackberry Sage Refresher, Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher and Midnight Drink pair the fruity flavours of sweet blackberries with herbaceous and earthy sage – to bring a balanced beverage in a bold, new hue.

Colder moments were the inspiration for the new Blackberry Sage Refresher. “During the winter months, we found that customers want something refreshing, yet balanced,” said Billy Altieri, lead beverage developer for Starbucks.

• Blackberry Sage Refresher & Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher: The Blackberry Sage Refresher features flavours of sweet blackberries paired with notes of sage shaken with ice green coffee extract and an inclusion of dried blackberries with a dusting of sage. Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher brightens the beverage with lemonade for a sweet-tart crispness.
• Midnight Drink: Midnight drink features flavours of sweet blackberries and sage with green coffee extract and blackberry inclusions mixed with coconut beverage and shaken with ice.

The new Refresher beverages are available in stores in Canada on February 4, 2025 for a limited time, while supplies last.

Valentine’s Day Sips: Starbucks is also bringing back some crush-worthy beverages just in time for Valentine’s Day, available for a limited time while supplies last:

• The Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Cold Brew is made with Starbucks® Cold Brew, sweetened with notes of hazelnut and topped with silky chocolate cream cold foam and mocha cookie crumble topping.  
• The Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Crème Frappuccino Blended Beverage is a take on the beloved Valentine’s Day dessert, with swirls of strawberry puree blended with Frappuccino® chips,  milk and ice, layered on top of a splash of strawberry puree and finished with vanilla whipped cream to deliver a frosty, delicious treat inspired by our love of chocolate-covered strawberries.

Customers can enjoy any of their favourite beverages using Valentine’s inspired drinkware that also makes for an enchanting gift for a loved one. This line of merchandise embraces a retro feel with pretty pixilated heart designs.

Valentine’s Day Cold Cup (24 oz)

Fall in love at first sip with this sleek cold cup featuring pink and red heart patterns.

Price: $32.95

Hot Pink Heart Tumbler with Charm (12 oz)

Show all the love with this standout heart tumbler, featuring a vibrant hot pink color with a glossy finish, complete with a matching heart-shaped charm.

Price: $38.95

Pink Floral Cold Cup with Straw Topper (24 oz)

Floral and fun, this pink, flower-patterned cold cup and matching straw topper is sure to impress any cold beverage craver.

Price: $35.95

Tomorrow is Starbucks Reusable Red Cup Day, November 14, 2024! And we’ve got some details.

– On Thursday, November 14, customers who order any size handcrafted holiday beverage will receive a free limited-edition, grande (16-ounce) reusable red holiday cup at participating stores across Canada, while supplies last.

Qualifying beverages:

• Apple Crisp Oat Macchiato 
• Caramel Brûlé Latte 
• Chestnut Praline Latte 
• Cran-Merry Orange Refresher 
• Cran-Merry Lemonade Refresher 
• Cran-Merry Drink 
• Gingerbread Latte 
• Gingerbread Oat Chai 
• Hot Chocolate 
• Iced Apple Crisp Oat Shaken Espresso 
• Pecan Crunch Oat Latte 
• Peppermint Hot Chocolate 
• Peppermint Mocha 
• Peppermint White Hot Chocolate 
• Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte 
• Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew 
• Pumpkin Spice Latte 
• Sugar Cookie Oat Latte  
• White Hot Chocolate 

-Back for its seventh year, this year’s reusable red holiday cup features a jolly bauble design inspired by perfectly ripe coffee cherries and is made with 95% recycled content. Just like any reusable cup, customers can bring it back on their next visit to Starbucks for a $0.10 discount on their order.

-The free reusable red cup will be included for orders placed in store, at the drive-thru, on the Starbucks app and Starbucks delivery on DoorDash, Uber Eats or Skip, while supplies last.

-Just in time for Red Cup Day, Starbucks customers in Canada, excluding Quebec, can also now use the Starbucks app to order delivery, powered by DoorDash.

Can you hear the sleigh bells ringing? Starbucks is unveiling all the details on its holiday menu, returning to stores across Canada tomorrow, November 7, 2024 alongside festive holiday cups and more.

Here are the details:

· A Merry Holiday Menu: When the merriest time of year returns to Starbucks stores on November 7, 2024 customers can celebrate the season with a mix of new and returning holiday beverages and pastries.

· First- Ever Holiday Refreshers: Starbucks is introducing its first-ever holiday Refresher, the NEW Cran-Merry Orange Refresher, which can also be ordered as a Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade Refresher or Cran-Merry Drink featuring coconut beverage.

Returning Faves:

Holiday-inspired handcrafted espresso beverages also return to the menu, including the iconic
Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulé Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte and
Iced Sugar Cookie Oat Latte. Tea fans can also enjoy the Iced Gingerbread Oat Chai, which is back for its second year.

Holiday Cold Foams:

Sprinkle a little extra joy on your beverage with seasonal cold foams! Customers can enjoy the new flavour, gingerbread, alongside returning flavours, peppermint chocolate,
sugar cookie, chestnut praline and caramel brulé. New this season,
holiday cold foams can be made nondairy, and added as a customization for an additional charge, giving any drink a festive twist.

Joyful Eats:

New pastries include: Turkey Sage Danish, Snowman Cake Pop and Penguin Cookie, with the
Cranberry Bliss Bar and Gingerbread Loaf as returning favourites.

Seasonal Whole Bean Coffee:

Two exclusive, limited edition seasonal blends will be available at Starbucks stores throughout November and December, including Starbucks Christmas Blend (celebrating its 40th year!) and Starbucks Holiday Blend.

New Cup Designs:

For many customers, the return of Starbucks holiday cups signals the holidays are here. Starbucks is debuting four new holiday hot cups that
capture the merriment of the season, with designs including Joyful Connection,
Lyrical Landscape, Siren Chorus and Warm Wishes – plus a new holiday cold cup.

Starbucks fans and Ozians are in for a fantastical experience, as Starbucks is partnering with
Universal Pictures to celebrate the new cinematic event, Wicked. Through this partnership, the
film’s themes of connection, belonging and joy come to life through exclusive Starbucks beverages
and merchandise.

On Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024 Starbucks customers in the U.S., Canada and select international markets
can experience the magic of the collaboration inspired by Oz and its beloved characters and
places, including the Emerald City. With new beverages, merchandise and more, Starbucks and
Wicked fans have much to look forward to, because of course, pink goes good with green.

Wicked, arriving in theaters this holiday season, on November 22, is the untold story of the witches
of Oz. The film centers on Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green
skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by
privilege, who has yet to discover her true heart. As they forge an unlikely friendship, their
extraordinary adventures will see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked
Witch of the West. Wicked is the first chapter of a two-part immersive, cultural celebration. Wicked
Part Two is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 21, 2025.

Wickedly Delicious Drinks

Flying into Starbucks stores for a limited time are two new handcrafted beverages inspired by Oz’s
iconic duo, Glinda and Elphaba. Both pictured above in banner.

Glinda’s Pink Potion

This fantabulous creation features a Mango Dragonfruit Starbucks Refreshers® Beverage hand-
shaken with creamy coconut milk, ice and a scoop of real, freeze-dried dragonfruit. Topped with

silky-smooth nondairy strawberry cold foam, the drink is finished with an Oz-dusting of magic
colourful candy sprinkles.

“When dreaming up this beverage, we were inspired by Glinda’s bright character and of course her
iconic association with all things pink,” said Natalia Vasquez, Starbucks beverage developer. “This
colorful beverage is topped with a nondairy cold foam infused with strawberry puree to add even
more pops of pink, along with colorful candy sprinkles for a drink that is as vibrant as Glinda
herself.”

Elphaba’s Cold Brew

This thrillifying creation features Starbucks Cold Brew, a custom blend of beans grown to steep long
and cold, handcrafted in small batches daily, for a super-smooth flavor. The Cold Brew is
sweetened with peppermint-flavored syrup, topped with silky-smooth nondairy matcha cold foam
and colorful green candy sprinkles for an Oz-dusting of magic.

“We were inspired by Elphaba’s bold energy and stunning green skin when creating this recipe,” said
Rosalyn Batingan, Starbucks beverage developer. “Our signature cold brew gets an unexpected
twist of peppermint topped with a nondairy matcha cold foam for a touch of Elphaba’s famous
green, finished with colourful candy sprinkles.”

For Your Dearest & Darlingest

Starting November 7, look to the Western Sky for new Wicked-inspired drinkware and Starbucks
Cards in select Starbucks stores. With Starbucks Cards straight from Oz and a variety of tumblers
and cold cups glistening in vibrant shades of green, pink and gold to choose from, Starbucks and
Wicked fans will be ready to defy gravity.

Starbucks Wicked-inspired beverages and merchandise are available for a limited time, while
supplies last.

Universal Pictures Canada’s Wicked arrives in theaters November 22, 2024.

Available in stores tomorrow, Starbucks Canada unveil the aroma of pecan pie, plus brown, buttery notes in their new collection of pecan-inspired beverages!

The Pecan Crunch Oat Latte also stirs up the age-old debate – how is the word pecan pronounced? According to Canadians – there may not be one right answer. A new survey commissioned by Starbucks Canada reveals that while nearly three quarters of Canadians (72 per cent) pronounce the nut as “Pee-Can,” one fifth of Canadians (17 per cent) are contrarians, pronouncing it as “Pee-Kahn.” Notably, a handful of Albertans, approximately eight per cent, indicate that “Puh-Can” is their preferred pronunciation.

Here is the lineup of Pecan Crunch beverages at stores in Canada starting September 19, 2024, for a limited time while supplies last:

Pecan Crunch Oat Latte – Made with Starbucks® Blonde Espresso and oat beverage, this fall beverage has layers of flavour including notes of nutty pecan, rich brown butter and holiday baking spices, and is finished off with a pecan crunch topping.

Iced Pecan Crunch Oat Latte – Nutty flavours of pecan, rich brown buttery notes and holiday baking spices come together with Starbucks® Blonde Espresso, ice and oat beverage for a smooth, flavourful treat, topped with nondairy vanilla cold foam and pecan crunch topping.

Salted Pecan Cream Cold Foam – Salted Pecan Cream Cold Foam offers customers another way to customize their favourite beverage with a sweet and salty fall twist! This cold foam is made with pecan syrup and salt. Also available as nondairy.

And that’s a wrap! What a wonderful TIFF this was! We’re quickly going to drop a line to say thank you to all of you for your amazing support, and also the generosity of our partners at the Festival who make it all possible for us! Also so grateful to our Team of Contributors: David Baldwin, Amanda Gilmore and Nicholas Porteous for their awesome reviews.

We’re crawling past the finish line and straight to the sauna for some overdue rest and relaxation. We were at it every single day of the Fest.

Our Official Partners

CP24 – For a 15th year in-a-row, we were a subject matter expert on films and star sightings at TIFF at the widely-watched news network, which also streams worldwide for free on their website CP24.com. In case you missed it, here’s a couple appearances we did:

HONDA CANADA – We were thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with our friends at HONDA CANADA, allowing us to travel in style this TIFF in the 2024 Passport Trail Sport. In addition to getting us there every day safe and efficiently, it also served as a quiet oasis for us to take a quick nap, collect our thoughts and do our posts privately. So grateful for this powerful machine.

STARBUCKS CANADA – Starbucks Canada has been there for us for several TIFFs. So grateful to be fuelled by their Fall Menu selections, keeping us awake! While our fave always will be the Pumpkin Spice Latte, their Apple Crisp Nondairy Chai, Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte, Baked Apple Croissant and Raccoon Cake Pops also are must-tries! Thrilled to give away gift cards to our Readers and Followers this TIFF, who were following our journey.

NIKON CANADA – We were thrilled to use the Nikon Z-30, a superb compact mirrorless camera with a range of lens options. We shot with a 50-250mm lens, helping us reach that bit closer to the stars. While we shoot on the go a lot on our phone, nothing beats the clarity and precision of actual camera on the red carpet!

OEB BREAKFAST CO. – Hands down, one of our favourite Brunch spots in the City, with two locations in Toronto. Two of our lucky Readers and Followers got to win gift cards to enjoy for themselves their greatness! They also now are an offcial TIFF Hospitality Partner too.

MINAMI TORONTO – Minami are an official TIFF Hospitality partner and did you know our queen Cate Blanchett was spotted there having lunch? There is no higher endorsement for their elevated, sophisticated Japanese fare. One of our Readers and Followers won a $100 gift card to enjoy a meal here.

LITTLE SISTER – With two beautiful locations in Toronto, this marriage of Dutch and Indonesian cuisine, with a phenomenal drink list is pure innovation. One of our Readers and Followers also won a $100 gift card to enjoy a meal.

SANDBANKS WINERY – Hailling from Prince Edward County, Sandbanks Winery  were a perfect way to wind down after this feverish dream of a Festival. Their Sparkling Rosé is perfect for evenings and this time of year I find myself gravitating to a nice sweet Riesling!

ETIKET – The goal of this luxurious beauty and wellness boutique is to provide everyone with a personalized, educational and friendly experience offering results oriented skin care and treatment services, niche fragrances, and luxury beauty products. We got to enjoy a freshening right before the Festival and also near the end. While we’re a little sleepy on the inside, you cannot deny that we LOOK rejuvenated!

UNIQLO CANADA – We are a huge fan of Uniqlo‘s style, comfort and quality, so it made perfect sense to partner with them. For all our TV appearances, we sported Uniqlo and Uniqlo only. Clothing that makes our lives better.

Congratulations to Ashley Smart who won our TIFF ’24 Surival Pack, featuring goodies from our partners!

-$25 Starbucks Canada Gift Card
-$50 Gift Card to OEB Breakfast Co.
-$100 Gift Card to MINAMI Toronto
-$100 Gift Card to LITTLE SISTER Portland St.
-3 bottles of Sandbanks Winery wines
-1 Uniqlo Quilted Shoulder Bag

Be following us! We’re here year-round with reviews, star-sightings, giveaways and so much more!

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Till next TIFF!

Mr. Will