The Game of Thrones Coffee Cup: TV's Most Famous Prop Mistake

The Game of Thrones coffee cup was a modern takeout cup accidentally left on a table during a feast scene in “The Last of the Starks,” the fourth episode of the show’s eighth and final season, which aired on HBO on May 5, 2019. Eagle-eyed fans spotted it within hours, HBO joked that the latte was a mistake because Daenerys had ordered an herbal tea, and the cup was digitally removed from the episode on HBO’s streaming services two days later.

It became one of the most talked-about prop mistakes in TV history. Here is what happened, how it was fixed, why it hit such a nerve, and a just-for-fun look at whether anyone in a world like Westeros would ever have tasted coffee.

What Happened With the Game of Thrones Coffee Cup?

Early in “The Last of the Starks,” the survivors of the great battle at Winterfell gather for a rowdy celebration in the castle’s great hall. There are goblets, platters and candles, and, sitting on the table near Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), a disposable coffee cup with a lid.

The cup is only on screen briefly, but in 2019 millions of viewers were watching with phones in hand. Screenshots spread across social media almost immediately, and many people assumed it was a Starbucks cup because of its look.

How HBO responded

HBO handled it with humor. In a statement reported the next day, the network said the latte that appeared in the episode was a mistake and that Daenerys had ordered an herbal tea. Reports described the cup as coming from the production’s craft services, the on-set catering team that keeps cast and crew fed and caffeinated during long shooting days.

Starbucks also joined in on social media, joking that it was surprised Daenerys had not ordered one of its own drinks. Most reports said the cup came from the set’s craft services rather than a Starbucks store, but the brand got plenty of free attention anyway.

How the Coffee Cup Was Edited Out

By May 7, 2019, HBO had digitally removed the cup from the episode on its streaming services. The fix was simple in principle: visual effects artists painted over the cup frame by frame, replacing it with what would have been on the table behind it.

The incident left a lasting mark on how fans watch big-budget TV. Viewers started scanning backgrounds for mistakes, and two weeks later they found another one. In the series finale, “The Iron Throne,” plastic water bottles were spotted near characters’ feet during the council scene at the Dragonpit. Fans quickly dubbed them the “new coffee cup.”

Why a Coffee Cup Caused Such a Stir

Continuity mistakes happen in almost every film and series. A crew member puts down a drink between takes, someone forgets it, and in the edit nobody notices. So why did this one become a global story?

• It broke the spell. Game of Thrones was built on a detailed, gritty medieval-style world. A modern paper cup is about the most 21st-century object you could imagine.
• The show was famously expensive. With a reputation for lavish production, a simple oversight felt surprising and funny.
• Timing. The final season was one of the most-watched TV events of the decade, with viewers dissecting every frame.
• It was relatable. Everybody has left their coffee somewhere. Seeing it happen on a dragon queen’s table made the giant production feel human.

Would Anyone in Westeros Drink Coffee? A Fun Look

Game of Thrones is fantasy, but its look borrows heavily from medieval Europe, where coffee simply was not on the menu. Here is a quick reality check, presented just for fun.

Curious how coffee really traveled the world? Our guide to the history of coffee tells the story from Ethiopian legend to modern cafés, and our piece on London’s penny universities covers the coffeehouses that finally brought it to England.

Fantasy-Inspired Coffee Drinks for a Watch Party

These are original recipes inspired by the feeling of a fantasy feast. They are not official, just a fun way to fill your cups during a rewatch.

The Northern Feast Spiced Coffee

Something warming for a cold castle hall.

• 240 ml (8 fl oz) hot, strong brewed coffee
• 1 tsp (5 ml) honey or maple syrup
• 1 small cinnamon stick and 2 whole cloves
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) warm milk or cream

1. Brew the coffee directly over the cinnamon stick and cloves, or let them steep in the hot coffee for 3 minutes.
2. Stir in the honey until dissolved.
3. Remove the spices and top with warm milk.

The Dragonglass Cold Brew

Black as obsidian and served over ice.

• 120 ml (4 fl oz) cold brew concentrate
• 120 ml (4 fl oz) cold water
• Ice, plus a strip of orange peel

1. Combine concentrate and water over a tall glass of ice.
2. Twist the orange peel over the glass to release its oils, then drop it in.

Need a base? Learn how to make cold brew at home, or start with our Cold Brew Coffee, a medium roast blend made for cold brewing.

The Queen’s Herbal Tea

For the full in-joke, brew what Daenerys apparently ordered: a caffeine-free herbal tea such as Chamomile Ginger. Steep 1 tea bag or 1 tsp loose tea in 240 ml (8 fl oz) of just-boiled water for 5 minutes.

Game of Thrones Coffee Cup FAQ

Which episode has the Game of Thrones coffee cup?

The cup appears in Season 8, Episode 4, “The Last of the Starks,” which first aired on May 5, 2019. It is visible during the feast at Winterfell early in the episode.

Was it really a Starbucks cup?

Probably not. Most reports described it as a craft services cup from the set. It looked similar to a Starbucks cup, which is why so many fans called it that.

Is the coffee cup still in the episode?

HBO digitally removed the cup from the streaming version of the episode on May 7, 2019, two days after it aired. Screenshots of the original are still easy to find online.

Were there other prop mistakes in the final season?

Yes. Viewers spotted plastic water bottles in the series finale, “The Iron Throne,” during the council scene. The coffee cup remains the best known.

Every Feast Needs a Good Cup

The Game of Thrones coffee cup reminds us that even dragon queens, or at least the people who film them, need coffee to get through a long day. For your own rewatch marathon, brew something bold enough for the Night’s Watch. Feel Espresso’s dark French Roast and our wider range of coffee blends are roasted 1–5 days before delivery, so just make sure your cup stays off camera.