Forget Starbucks coffee - Gen Z like their drinks ice cold

What the report says

BBC World News reports that younger consumers, especially Gen Z, are shifting away from traditional hot coffee and toward cold, highly customisable drinks. The story centres on Starbucks, which now says three out of every four drinks it sells are cold, reflecting a broader change in what younger buyers want from café visits. The article is based in the US, with examples from New York and California, and notes that similar patterns are visible in UK consumer data.

The piece quotes 21-year-old consumer Elaine Ling, who says she visits Starbucks mainly for cold beverages and gets her regular coffee elsewhere. Industry specialists say the appeal lies in personalisation, visual presentation and the sense that a drink can match a specific mood or need. Analysts also describe cold drinks as a way for young people to express identity, while marketing experts say customers may be paying for the branded experience as much as the beverage itself.

The report says social media has amplified the trend, pointing to the short-lived Unicorn Frappuccino, which drew strong attention on TikTok and briefly increased foot traffic at Starbucks. Competing chains including Dunkin’, McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell are also developing fruity refreshers, protein drinks and other cold options aimed at younger customers. The article says Starbucks has increasingly relied on cold drinks as part of its US turnaround strategy, and that the category now makes up more than 70% of its US beverage sales.