Quick answer: this was a Starbucks China 2021 crown cup, not a current U.S. Starbucks-store release. The iridescent glass piece used a gold crown lid, which is why people still end up searching for the “Starbucks cup with crown.”
And honestly, I get it. This thing looks like Starbucks merch made specifically for somebody who wants their coffee to have a title and a tiny palace.
It is part of the same general crown-merch era as the earlier Starbucks crowned glass tumbler, but this 2021 China release has its own Valentine’s styling.
What was the Starbucks cup with the crown?
Current resale listings identify the crown-topped glass as a Starbucks China 2021 Valentine’s Day release. The identifying feature is pretty hard to miss: an iridescent glass cup with a gold crown lid.
That crown is the whole reason this thing is still memorable years later. It is not subtle. It is not trying to be subtle. It is basically a tiny throne accessory for your drink.
Can you still buy the Starbucks crown cup?
This article originally ran in February 2021, so the old eBay price and shopping link should not be treated as current availability. Examples can still surface on resale marketplaces, but price and condition vary by listing.
If you are trying to identify one you found online, look for the iridescent glass, Starbucks branding, and the oversized gold crown lid.
Basically, yes: the ridiculous Starbucks cup with the crown was real. It was an overseas limited release—not something sitting on the current U.S. Starbucks merch wall.
