How To Get Free Starbucks Hot Chocolate For The Rest Of December

While we're busy shopping for everyone on our list during the season of giving, it's nice to get something for free. To make your weekends a little sweeter, Starbucks announced on Instagram that the coffee giant is giving away "a free short (kids' size) hot chocolate with the purchase of a grande or larger handcrafted drink." This promotion, dubbed "Hot Chocolate Cheer Weekends," is available on Saturdays and Sundays during December at participating locations in the United States.

In order to redeem your free hot chocolate, you can purchase any of Starbucks' seasonal offerings like Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai, Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte, and its olive oil-infused coffees called Oleatos, as well as all the OGs like steamers, mochas, and macchiatos. All ready-to-drink bottled beverages and regular brewed coffee and tea (hot or iced) are excluded.

This promotion is available in-store or via the drive-thru but excludes delivery options. The free hot chocolate comes with whipped cream and a mocha drizzle; customizations cost extra. Starbucks rewards members using the app can redeem their complimentary beverage with proof that their mobile order was purchased on a qualifying day. This promotion cannot be combined with other offers and is limited to one short hot chocolate per purchase.

If that promotion doesn't align with your schedule, or you have concerns about the lead levels in Starbucks' hot chocolate, the chain has also launched Festive ThursYays. This promotion is exclusively for Starbucks rewards members, giving them 50% off any handcrafted drink on Thursdays between 12 and 6 p.m. until the end of the year.

Similar to the "Hot Chocolate Cheer Weekends" promotion, this deal applies to beverages prepared by a barista. Festive ThursYays is accessible only through the Starbucks app, which can be downloaded for free. On Thursdays, rewards members will find a coupon for the deal that can be applied at checkout at participating stores or online. This promotion is limited to one discount per rewards member.

In an effort to reduce waste and its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030, Starbucks offers a small discount every day when you bring in your reusable cup. Customers receive $0.10 off their beverage when they bring in a clean cup and use the Starbucks app, and rewards members get 25 bonus stars towards discounts and free drinks, food, and merchandise.