Is the new Starbucks promotion for House of the Dragon the ultimate Game of Thrones in-joke?

Fans of House of the Dragon are required to show their loyalty by ordering from a limited edition Starbucks menu, which will surely remind them of one of the show’s notorious running jokes involving a Starbucks cup.

The time has arrived once more for fans to choose between supporting Team Black or Team Green. Starbucks has revealed a limited edition menu in collaboration with House of the Dragon, as part of their European partnership.

The promotion “Max Nights, Starbucks Mornings”will be offered in specific countries such as Portugal, Spain, and France.

According to Variety, supporters of Portugal can display their loyalty to Rhaenyra Targaryen’s reign by ordering a Targaryen Frappuccino or a Black Queen Cold Brew. Those who support the Green team can enjoy a Green King iced matcha or a Dracarys matcha Frappuccino.

The selection of drinks varies by location, with France offering a Targaryen Iced Americano with cream cold foam for #TeamBlack and a Dracarys iced white mocha matcha tea latte with cream cold foam for #TeamGreen.

The marketing campaign for the new season initially included mounted flags for both sides in New York City. However, the collaboration with Starbucks could also be seen as a humorous addition to Game of Thrones’s well-known cup mishap.

In 2019, a keen-eyed viewer spotted a Starbucks cup from the modern era in Season 8 Episode 4, titled “The Last of the Starks.”

During the Winterfell feast, Daenerys Targaryen had the distinct cup in front of her, which soon became a recurring joke in the series. The cast members engaged in heated discussions, each accusing the other of being responsible for leaving the cup.

The Easter egg was initially included in the episode, but the special effects team later removed it digitally. According to TMZ, art director Hauke Richter clarified that the cup was not from Starbucks, but instead from a local coffee shop in Northern Ireland.

Despite the fact that the series invests substantial amounts of money into editing, fans were quick to criticize a small error. However, Richter defended his crew by explaining that the shoot was grueling and taxing, causing the mistake to be overlooked by the exhausted team.

The second season of House of Dragon is currently available for streaming on HBO Max.