The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for applying drinking straws to packaging containers. A drinking straw carrier is adapted to keep the drinking straw towards the wall of the packaging container while moving along a lengthwise direction of the drinking straw, from an application position to the leaving position. The drinking straw carrier comprises a rotatable roller having an axis of rotation arranged substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the drinking straw, and said roller is adapted to rotate in contact with the drinking straw.