It's confirmed: There is indeed a love story brewing between Taylor Swift and Starbucks!
Everything has changed in the past 24 hours. After dropping hints for weeks, Starbucks confirmed they are joining Swift in celebrating red cup season and today's release of her album "Red (Taylor's Version)."
So what illicit affairs have been going on between Swift and the coffee company? Beginning today, as we head back to December, Swift fans (aka Swifties) will be able to order her favorite Starbucks drink, the Grande Caramel Nonfat Latte, by asking baristas for "Taylor's Latte" or "Taylor's Version" either in person or through the app.
Starbucks is also giving Swifties a way to share the love and red cup happiness with an exclusive Taylor-inspired e-gift card available on its website and app.
While sipping their "Taylor Lattes" — perhaps while wearing a cardigan or plaid shacket, scarf, tights and boots in true Swift style — Swifties will have their own soundtrack for their main character moments. "Starbucks may have celebrated its 50th anniversary this year but stores are feeling ~22~ again," the coffee company said in a press release. Its stores will be featuring both "Red (Taylor's Version)" as well as other Swift hits beginning today as well.
Swift has tormented her fans by dropping Easter eggs on social media in anticipation of the release of "Red (Taylor's Version)" for months. One of those hints came in the form of a video love letter to fall and featured a Starbucks cup and her defense of all things pumpkin spice.
Starbucks commented on the video, "TAYLOR SAID IT'S FALL," and later duetted the video from its own TikTok.
Then, Starbucks really riled up the Swift lovers when they tweeted, "It's Red Season" on Nov. 8.
But it didn't stop there. In the thread that ensued containing 2,500 comments, Starbucks continued to (invisible) string Swifties along by using Swift's song lyrics in their replies.
They also tweeted 13 heart emojis, which is significant because Swift's favorite number (and birthdate) is 13.
One fan even compiled the Starbucks replies into their own TikTok video.
A fan account on Instagram claimed to have the details of a "Starbucks x Red (Taylor's Version)" campaign from a memo that allegedly went out to Starbucks employees. Social media gossip account @deuxmoi also posted about it, and a post on Reddit alleged the same.
But Starbucks kept fans second guessing. When TODAY Food reached out to Starbucks for comment and any information regarding a potential collaboration earlier this week, they were casually cruel in their brief response.
"Thanks for reaching out! From Starbucks red cups to the upcoming release of Red (Taylor’s Version), its officially red season!" they answered. "We do not have anything more to share."
On Wednesday night, Starbucks locations around the world began tweeting about "Red Season" too, adding to the suspense.
Then, New York City's famed Empire State Building joined the fun. On its TikTok and Instagram accounts (yes, the Empire State Building has its own accounts — and they are verified), the icon declared it was "redy" for Taylor.
By today, Swifties were dying to see how this one ended, and they have finally been rewarded for tolerating all the shenanigans. At midnight, Swift, 31, released her version of the "Red" album with 30 songs, including some from her vault. She is also debuting a new short film today to go with the long-awaited 10-minute version of fan favorite break-up anthem "All Too Well."
Long story short, Swifties are OK, but they're not fine at all. With these pieces finally falling into place, they will shake it off. They love the player and the game, and they know all too well that Swift's Easter egg shenanigans will all begin again soon. They'll be ready for it.
In the meantime, it feels like the perfect night … for a latte (Taylor's Version).
