Starting Tuesday, December 23, 2025, a special Starbucks Chilled Cup celebrating the New Year will appear on the shelves of Konbini stores across Japan. The new release is the “Starbucks® DELIGHT ME™ Yuzu Honey Tea Latte,” featuring an eye-catching, dazzling Year of the Horse design.
In Japan, the “Chilled Cup” series, easily purchased not only at Starbucks stores but also at Konbini stores like 7-Eleven, Lawson, and Family Mart, is incredibly popular. This new release is the third installment in the “Starbucks® DELIGHT ME™” series, which adds a new surprise to seasonal flavors, offering a moment of fulfillment at the start of the new year.
A Lucky “Year of the Horse” Zodiac Design
The first thing to notice is its gorgeous package design. The Horse (Uma / the Horse), the zodiac sign for 2026, is depicted in a dazzling and charming illustration.
The Eto (zodiac) is a 12-year calendar cycle used in Japan and many other Asian countries, with each year assigned one of 12 animals, from the Rat to the Boar. For the New Year, many goods featuring the year’s zodiac animal appear, and there is a culture of displaying or gifting them to wish for good fortune. This cup also embodies the wish for a happy and prosperous 2026.
The entire package uses vibrant gold and red colors to express a celebratory New Year atmosphere. These are traditionally considered celebratory colors in Japan and help to brighten the mood. Furthermore, Japanese-style patterns are scattered throughout, giving it a distinctively Japanese beauty.
A heartwarming New Year’s message, as if handwritten, is also included on the side of the cup, making it perfect not only as a treat for yourself but also as a small gift for friends and family.
A Gentle Yuzu and Honey Flavor, Perfect for Winter
The contents of this special drink are crafted with a gentle flavor, designed to warm both body and soul during the cold winter.
The base is a Honey Tea Latte, a blend of mellow milk and the sweetness of honey. As a Starbucks-like accent, the refreshing aroma of Yuzu has been added. Yuzu is a type of citrus fruit, and its unique, elegant fragrance is often used in Japanese winter dishes and drinks.
Wrapped in the gentle sweetness of honey and the softly spreading aroma of yuzu, you’re sure to be filled with a sense of happiness. It’s the perfect cup for when you want to take a relaxing break from your busy daily life.
Developer’s Recommendation! The Best Food Pairing
To make the “Yuzu Honey Tea Latte” experience even more special, a perfectly compatible food pairing recommended by a developer at Starbucks headquarters in Seattle is also introduced.
It is a Dorayaki with whipped cream.
Dorayaki is a traditional Japanese sweet, beloved for centuries, made with a sweet, pancake-like batter sandwiching a sweet red bean paste called Anko (Azuki bean paste).
The refined flavor of the Dorayaki’s anko harmonizes with the delicate aroma of the tea, while the sweet and rich honey and yuzu fragrance of the latte fills your mouth. Additionally, the creamy whipped cream softly envelops the overall texture, reportedly creating a moment of pure bliss. Since Dorayaki can also be easily purchased at Japanese Konbini, it’s a combination you’ll definitely want to try.
The Starbucks Chilled Cup Series Celebrates its 20th Anniversary in Japan
In fact, the Starbucks Chilled Cup series was first launched in Japan in September 2005, ahead of the rest of the world. This year marks its 20th anniversary, making it a very popular series with a long history.
True to its brand message, “Where will you make your Starbucks today?”, it delivers a high-quality experience, as if you were in a Starbucks store, anytime, anywhere.
Whether it’s the start of a new day, a time you want to focus on work or study, or when you want to change your mood, this cup, available at Konbini across Japan, is sure to make your daily life just a little more special.
Product Information Summary
Product Name: Starbucks® DELIGHT ME™ Yuzu Honey Tea Latte
Volume: 200ml cup
Suggested Retail Price: 230 yen (excluding tax)
Release Date: Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Sales Area: Konbini stores nationwide in Japan (*Note: Some stores may not carry the product)
If you plan to visit Japan this winter, be sure to look for this lucky “Horse” design cup at your nearest Konbini. It’s sure to be a wonderful souvenir that lets you experience the unique New Year celebration mood of Japan.
Source (Japanese): しあわせを運ぶ「午（うま）」の干支デザインカップで、心満たされる新年を祝う スターバックス(R) チルドカップ 「DELIGHT ME(TM) ゆずハニーティーラテ」12月23日（火）より期間限定発売
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