Starbucks Is Giving Out Free Frappuccinos & Espresso Drinks Today

A massive heatwave is about to roll across the country. You're going to want to get reacquainted with your favorite method of cooling off, whether that's a beer, strutting around your home naked, or lying next to a sprinkler like this moose...

free starbucks
Boyloso / Shutterstock.com
Boyloso / Shutterstock.com

A massive heatwave is about to bake the country. You're going to want to get reacquainted with your favorite method of cooling off, whether that's a beer, strutting around your home naked, or lying next to a sprinkler like this moose. However, on Thursday afternoon, when you're sitting at work unable to strut around naked, you might want to give a free Frappuccino from Starbucks a try.

Starbucks is running another of its popular Happy Hour promotions on July 18. The deal will land you buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) Frappuccinos or espresso drinks, size grande or larger from 3pm to close (local time). The Happy Hour will exclude all pre-bottled, ready-to-drink beverages, though, so you'll have to order something handmade from the menu.

On the bright side -- literally, the bright side -- the deal includes Starbucks' new Tie-Dye Frappuccino, which looks... interesting. The wildly colorful drink features "a tropical fruit flavor" and gets topped off with vanilla whipped cream as well as "yellow, red, and blue powder." It get its eye-popping appearance from turmeric, red beet, and spirulina -- in case you're wondering. Unfortunately, it's not a coffee-based drink, so while you'll almost certainly end up with a helluva sugar rush, you probably shouldn't rely on one for an afternoon pick-me-up. Go with your usual mocha or caramel Frappuccino for that. 

Like with all Starbucks Happy Hour deals, this one is only available at participating locations. If you've never seen your local Starbucks do a Happy Hour before, it's worth calling ahead to confirm before you show up demanding free coffee. That would be awkward. 

Here's how to get the deal: Download the Starbucks mobile app. When you open it up, you'll find the offer in your inbox. You do not have to be a rewards member to take advantage of promotions in the app, though you get points toward more free drinks if you're a member. Downloading the app and signing up for the rewards program is free. You can no longer get the Happy Hour offers via email.

So, if you're feeling spicy, there's no better time to try the crazy Tie-Dye Frappuccino than when you can get it for free today.

Want more free food and food deals? Here's our running list of all the free food you can get right now, as well as the best reward program and gift card deals you’ll find. You're welcome.

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Dustin Nelson is a Senior Staff Writer at Thrillist. Follow him @dlukenelson.