Starbucks Valentine Gift Suggestions for a Special Day

It’s the one day of the year that should be full of surprises for the people you love, but often you’re the one who’s surprised when February 14th sneaks up on the calendar. Starbucks is making cupid’s job a little easier this Valentine’s Day with distinctive gift cards, coffee for lovers, a collection of “Sweetheart” music, and a simple yet indulgent treat.

Who inspires you? Who makes you happy? Let that person know this Valentine’s Day with a Starbucks Card. The Card’s unique design not only enables someone you care about to purchase their favorite Starbucks® drink in the morning, or drop in for lunch, he or she can also keep the heart-shaped message attached to a key chain declaring,  “You Make Me Happy,” “Wonderful You,” and “Inspired by You.”

Gift cards are in stores now. A variety of Valentine’s Day eGifts – faster than Cupid’s arrow – are also available at Starbucks.com.

Starbucks® Caffè Verona® takes its name from a city that is world famous for love and romance.  Verona, Italy was the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It still gets countless love letters addressed simply to “Juliet, Verona, Italy.” Caffè Verona® coffee pairs perfectly with chocolate. It’s a rich blend with a dark cocoa texture that combines Latin America and Asia Pacific coffees with twenty percent Italian Roast. Starbucks first created Caffè Verona® for a restaurant to be served with chocolate cake.  Now, it’s made especially for you to enjoy in your home, perhaps with dessert after a romantic dinner for two. Starbucks will also provide the soundtrack for a special evening.

Starbucks® Caffè Verona® is available in retail stores or online at StarbucksStore.com.

Sweetheart 2014 is a collection of handpicked covers from a group of modern musical dreamers who artfully grapple, in one way or another, with that vexing subject of love.  Sweetheart 2014 is the fifth in a series created exclusively for Starbucks, featuring 13 all-new recordings by Jim James, Vampire Weekend, Fiona Apple, Phosphorescent, Brandi Carlile, Beck, The Head and the Heart, Ben Harper, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Valerie June, Blake Mills, Bahamas and Thao & The Get Down Stay Down. The eclectic performances also serve as a love letter to the songwriters.

“For me this is a perfect song,” said Afie Jurvanen, known by his stage name Bahamas, speaking of Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind.” “It’s a sad song, but it’s full of love and there are very few like it.”

Vampire Weekend’s passionate interpretation of “Time to Say Goodbye [Con te partirò]” made popular by Andrew Bocelli is another example of the absorbing performances on Sweetheart 2014. Calling it “one of the greatest love songs of all time,” front man Ezra Koenig said, “Its beauty transcends language.” Vampire Weekend transform the song with old school electronic rhythm and ultra-romantic Italian vocals.

“It’s fascinating to hear a variety of interpretations of what a love song is from each of the 13 artists on the album,” said Holly Hinton, executive producer of Sweetheart 2014 for Starbucks. “This collection is special because we commissioned the artists to make music that is new, exclusive and original for Starbucks. The creativity of their arrangements is a joy to listen to.”

Sweetheart 2014 ($12.95 US) is available on CD exclusively at participating Starbucks® stores.

Who says Valentine’s Day 2014 ends Friday night? Wake up Saturday and treat yourself or your loved one to a homemade latte in an instant.

With the great aroma, body and flavor you’ve come to expect from Starbucks for more than 40 years, Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew offers the delicious Starbucks-quality coffee brewed anywhere, instantly. Made with natural roasted arabica beans, Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew offers a full-bodied, flavorful cup of black, lattes and flavored coffee. The new Starbucks VIA® Vanilla Latte and Caffè Mocha will complement any Valentine’s weekend activities.

Starbucks VIA® Lattes are available at participating Starbucks® locations in the U.S. and Canada and on starbucksstore.com ($6.95 for 4 ct-pack), and in select grocery stores ($7.99 for 5 ct-pack). Happy Valentine’s Day!

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.