5. Coffee’s Cold Rush
Coffee enters the ice age as more consumers reach for specialty drinks that are cold, bold, icy, slushy, and strong.
49%12 of Gen Z consumers learn about coffee trends, topics, and culture from online sources such as TikTok rather than from coffee chains.
Source: 12. 2023 Trend Report: Millennials and Gen Z Are Driving These Six Coffee Trends (undated); Will Traditional Coffee Shops Die. Out with Gen Z? (March 2, 2023)
While Australians still generally prefer hot espresso-based coffee, the trend toward cold coffee options is on the rise. Whether it’s cold brew, certified products, or innovative single-origin blends, the Australian coffee scene continues to evolve!
There has been a significant growth in the penetration of iced coffee in 2023, with 22% of Australians drinking iced coffee, reflecting its mainstream appeal.13
Younger consumers especially show high interest, regardless of the season. In keeping with their ‘dare to be different’ approach to life as well as food and beverage choices, they show strong interest in iced, slushy, cold-brewed, and customized.
The good news is that with more Aussies reaching for cold drinks, this doesn't appear to cannibalise hot coffee sales, but leads to overall bigger spends.13
So, cafés should make sure that their coffee offering includes cold beverages.
Cafés often offer creative variations of iced lattes and other cold coffee options to cater to seasonal preferences. Variety of form and of flavour is the big driver in these made-to-order must-haves as consumers gravitate to seemingly endless ‘have-it-your- way’ scenarios. Syrups, sweeteners, spices, dairy, alt-milks, shaken or blended, slushy, creamy, foamy, brewing method, and garnishes are all part of the smorgasbord of choices. When grab-and-go convenience counts, younger consumers also show strong affinity for ready-to-drink coffee beverages and cold brew.
Red Chili Mocha Java Freeze
Banana Cold Brew Latte with Warm Spices, Banana Chips, and Cocoa Lavender White Chocolate
Sparkling Coffee and Orange Juice
Proffee with Brewed Coffee and Protein Powder Iced French Toast Latte
Pumpkin Spice Frozen Latte Pink Velvet Iced Macchiato Iced Golden Caffe Latte
Snowcap Peppermint Cold Brew
13. Fiftyfive5: Coffee Landscape Study 2023. The Most Surprising Coffee Drinking Statistics and Trends in 2023 (March 23, 2023); Does Anyone Drink Hot Coffee Anymore? (September 8, 2022);
