Starbucks Just Launched a Black Cat Frappuccino for Halloween
On October 22, 2026, Starbucks launched the Black Cat Frappuccino, a chocolate cake-flavored creme Frappuccino topped with whipped cream and chocolate cat ears, alongside the shareable Venti Black Night Cookie. Both Halloween treats are available through Halloween at select US coffeehouses, and the drink comes in a grande size only.
I’ll be honest, when I first saw the announcement I thought it was a joke. A cat drink? From Starbucks? But no, this one is very real, and it landed in stores yesterday, October 22, just in time for the final week of spooky season.
Here’s the thing: Starbucks rarely does Halloween drinks. The fall belongs to the Pumpkin Spice Latte, and that show is already running. So when the chain drops a brand new Frappuccino out of nowhere a week before Halloween, people notice. Here’s what I found.
What Is Actually in the Black Cat Frappuccino?
As an Amazon Associate, MenuPrice earns from qualifying purchases.
The Black Cat Frappuccino is a chocolate cake-flavored creme Frappuccino, which means it’s made with a creme base, not coffee. It comes topped with whipped cream and two pieces of chocolate molded into cat ears.
The cat ears are the star of the show. They’re actual chocolate, shaped into pointed ears, sticking out of the whipped cream. It’s clearly designed to be photographed, and honestly, there’s nothing wrong with that. Starbucks says the flavor combines rich cocoa with the creme base for decadent brownie-like notes, and early reviews back that up.
One important note: because it’s creme-based, this is not a coffee drink. If you’re avoiding caffeine, you should still know that chocolate carries a small amount of caffeine, but there’s no espresso in the Black Cat Frappuccino at all. It might actually be one of the more kid-friendly Halloween drinks Starbucks has ever sold.
How Much Does the Black Cat Frappuccino Cost?
The Black Cat Frappuccino costs about $6.75 for a grande, while the Venti Black Night Cookie runs about $5.25. Those are the prices one reviewer paid at a Starbucks just outside Scranton, Pennsylvania, and your price will likely be different.
Starbucks prices vary by location, and they always have. A drink that costs $6.75 in rural Pennsylvania will probably cost you more in New York or Los Angeles. That’s just how the chain works, so treat those numbers as a ballpark, not a promise.
As for nutrition, here’s the reality check: a grande Black Cat Frappuccino packs 430 calories, 18 grams of fat (11 grams saturated), 630 milligrams of sodium, and 67 grams of carbs, of which 60 grams are sugar. Yeah. It’s a dessert. Nobody is pretending otherwise, and honestly that’s kind of the point during Halloween week.
What Is the Venti Black Night Cookie?
The Venti Black Night Cookie is Starbucks’ new shareable Halloween cookie, made with decadent dark chocolate cookie dough packed with caramel fudge pieces and chunks of caramelized white chocolate. It’s baked big, sold in the venti size, and meant to be split.
The cookie is the sleeper hit of this launch, if you ask me. A shareable, warm-ish-feeling black cocoa cookie with caramel in it? For $5.25? That’s actually reasonable by Starbucks bakery standards, where a single croissant can cost you nearly that much. The black cocoa gives it that dark, dramatic look that fits the whole black cat theme, and the caramelized white chocolate chunks add a sweetness that balances the bitterness of the dark cookie dough.
Starbucks promises soft, chewy bites. Whether you’re actually sharing it or eating the whole thing yourself in your car, that’s your business.
How Long Will the Black Cat Frappuccino Be Around?
The Black Cat Frappuccino and Venti Black Night Cookie are available through Halloween, October 31, at select US coffeehouses, while supplies last. They launched October 22, so you’re looking at a roughly ten-day window to try them.
That short window is part of the strategy, of course. Ten days creates urgency. And Starbucks has a spokesperson for this launch that is, frankly, perfect: Salem, the sarcastic black cat from Sabrina the Teenage Witch, is “coming out of retirement” to front the campaign. The famously opinionated feline knows a thing or two about indulgent treats, and Starbucks says he’ll be showing up on their social channels with more to say.
It’s a fun choice. Salem is owned by Archie Comics, and anyone who grew up in the 90s knows him. For a Halloween launch, you can’t do better than a talking black cat with attitude.
If you want the matching merch, that dropped separately back on September 15. There’s a ceramic pumpkin mug with a black cat peering over the lip for $20, a 14-ounce cauldron mug for $17, a glow-in-the-dark black cat cold cup for $30, and a Black Cat Bearista plush bag charm for $15. The drinks are the limited part, so if the Frappuccino is what you’re after, don’t wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Black Cat Frappuccino have coffee in it?
No. The Black Cat Frappuccino is a creme-based Frappuccino, which means it’s made without any coffee or espresso. It does contain chocolate, which carries a small amount of caffeine, but it’s not a coffee drink, so it’s a caffeine-light option compared to Starbucks’ usual Frappuccinos.
How many calories are in the Black Cat Frappuccino?
A grande Black Cat Frappuccino contains 430 calories, with 18 grams of fat (11 grams saturated fat), 630 milligrams of sodium, and 67 grams of carbohydrates, of which 60 grams are sugar. It has 7 grams of protein.
Can I get the Black Cat Frappuccino in any size?
No. Starbucks is selling the Black Cat Frappuccino in a grande size only. There’s no tall or venti option for this one, which keeps things simple for the short Halloween run.
Will Starbucks bring back the Black Cat Frappuccino next Halloween?
Starbucks hasn’t said anything about next year. This is a limited-time Halloween 2026 launch, available through October 31 while supplies last. If it sells well, a return is always possible, but right now there’s no guarantee, so if you want one, go this week.
Related Reading
Prices last verified: October 23, 2026. Prices and availability vary by location. See the official Starbucks announcement and USA Today’s coverage for the latest details.
