Relief Collection

Relief – Australia

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It seems there are four different colour combinations for the Relief country mugs from the Land Down Under, and I had only added one to the site. I’m fixing that oversight with this post about the Starbucks Relief Australia mug.

The tree on the front of the mug is probably the Golden Wattle tree, Australia’s national floral emblem, known for its bright yellow, fluffy blossoms that bloom in late winter and early spring. It grows as a hardy shrub or small tree and is commonly found across southeastern Australia.… Read more

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Relief – Cebu Light Green

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The Starbucks Relief Cebu Light Green is another custom colour release from the beloved series.

The front of the mug features the iconic Lapu-Lapu monument, a towering bronze statue honouring the chieftain who defeated Ferdinand Magellan in the 1521 Battle of Mactan. Standing prominently by the shore, it symbolizes Filipino courage and resistance against foreign colonization. It remains one of the most recognizable historical landmarks in Cebu.… Read more

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Relief – Bangkok Blue

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The Starbucks Relief Bangkok Blue was released some time ago, but it appears to have been an overlooked addition at the time. Three other color variations of the same mug were issued around the same period, roughly a decade earlier, each presenting a different take on the design. This blue version stands out in particular, as it is uncommon within the Relief collection, where Starbucks typically favored much darker shades of blue.… Read more

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Relief – Lisboa

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Here is another release from Portugal for a series that I thought was long discontinued. The Starbucks Relief Lisboa mug features Castelo de São Jorge, one of Lisbon’s most distinctive monuments. The oldest known fortification at this spot dates from the 2nd century BC, with archaeological evidence revealing traces of Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, and Muslims, confirming human occupation of the area since very ancient times. In 1147, King Afonso Henriques captured the castle from the Moors during the Siege of Lisbon, marking a turning point in Portuguese history.… Read more

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Relief – Athens

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The Starbucks Relief Athens mug is one of those I had no idea existed. Thanks to a recent revision of the Relief mugs database, I discovered that I am missing quite a few of them.

Athens is famous for many things, but one of the most important is being the home of the Academy of Athens. You can see its building on the front of the mug. This was the world’s first school of higher learning, founded by the philosopher Plato around 387 BC.… Read more

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Relief – Manila Rose

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Relief Manila Rose is a nice colour variation of the mug we reviewed recently. Judging by the date on the bottom of the mug, it was released in 2025. Apart from the colour, I can see that the Kalesa (with the horse) was replaced by a Jeepney.

Jeepneys are among the most recognizable symbols of the Philippines and an enduring part of daily life across the country. Created from surplus military jeeps left behind after World War II, they evolved into colourful, uniquely decorated vehicles used for public transportation.… Read more

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Relief – Gold Coast

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The Starbucks Relief Gold Coast is very similar to the mug that was added to this site ten years ago. This one has a black background, instead of green and fewer coloured elements. My understanding is that this is a regular version, and the “green” one is the Christmas Edition.… Read more

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Relief – Manila Red

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It seems that Relief Manila Red is a revised design of the previously released Manila Relief Black and Manila Relief Green versions.

Fort Santiago is depicted on the front of the mug and is one of Manila’s most important historical landmarks, located within the walled district of Intramuros along the Pasig River. Originally built by the Spanish in the late 16th century, the fortress served as a military stronghold, defensive structure, and later a prison during different periods of Philippine history.… Read more

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Relief – Madrid

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Starbucks Relief Madrid is another mug that was not added to the site at the time of its release, so I am correcting that now.

Featured on the front of the mug is Almudena Cathedral, the principal Catholic cathedral of Madrid and one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Located opposite the Royal Palace, the cathedral blends neoclassical, neo-Gothic, and neo-Romanesque architectural styles, reflecting the long period over which it was constructed. Its richly decorated interior, colorful ceiling paintings, and impressive dome make it a remarkable cultural and religious site in the Spanish capital.… Read more

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Relief – Hong Kong 2 (Dragon)

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While revisiting some of the older Starbucks collections, I realized that a few Relief Series mugs are still missing from the site. One of them is the Relief Hong Kong 2 (Dragon) mug, and as the name immediately suggests, the dragon is the defining visual element of the design. The artwork places strong emphasis on the creature, giving the mug a bold and unmistakably Hong Kong identity that differs quite a bit from the more skyline-focused releases.

In Hong Kong and broader Chinese culture, the dragon holds deep symbolic importance and is traditionally associated with power, prosperity, wisdom, and good fortune.… Read more

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