When temperatures rise, creativity tends to follow. Cold brew still holds its title as the reigning summer favorite, but this year’s menus reflect a willingness to explore bolder, more unconventional territory. From espresso tonics and orange juice pairings to ube cold foam and carbonated coffee sodas, cafés are embracing flavors that feel as vibrant as the season itself.
Summer has always invited experimentation. Now, with customers seeking novelty and personalization in their daily caffeine rituals, shops are responding with playful, flavor-driven creations that challenge expectations and redefine the idea of a “summer coffee.” Below, we’ve gathered a few standout trends we’ve observed recently, including insights from our time at the Specialty Coffee Expo in Houston.
- Cold Brew, Reimagined
Kathryn O’Connor, Chief Marketing Officer at La Colombe observes, “’We’re now in the fourth wave of coffee, which is being defined by a cold coffee frenzy. Cold coffee’s growth is largely being driven by younger consumers, primarily Gen Z”.
Cold brew’s stronghold on summer menus is nothing new, but this year, it’s being reinvented. We’ve seen a wave of infusions and flavor profiles that take the smoothness of cold brew in striking new directions: citrus zests like lemon and grapefruit, tropical notes such as mango and coconut, and indulgent blends featuring brown sugar, clotted cream, or crème brûlée. Many of these drinks strike a delicate balance between refreshing and rich, giving customers something that feels elevated yet easy to love.
- Coffee and Couture
Fashion and coffee have long shared a space in culture, but recently, they’ve started sharing literal addresses. Over the past few years, luxury fashion houses including Dior, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Ralph Lauren have opened cafés around the world. These spaces offer a curated lifestyle experience that blends aesthetics, hospitality, and taste.
Rather than simply pairing a croissant with a purchase, these cafés immerse customers in a world where design and comfort coexist. The rise of branded cafés suggests a growing appetite for spaces that feel intentional, sensory, and social– a reflection of coffee culture’s evolution from utility to experience.
- The Superfood Surge
Health-conscious coffee isn’t a new idea, but its presence has grown more visible. At coffee festivals across the country, we’ve seen a surge in superfood ingredients: turmeric, matcha, collagen, MCT oil and mushroom-based beverages are becoming standard features on menus.
Matcha continues to gain popularity for its antioxidant density and gentle caffeine release. While mushroom coffee, once considered niche, is now appreciated for its potential benefits including immune support, improved focus, and reduced inflammation. Tumeric coffee is similarly known for its antioxidant properties, reducing inflammation and potential support for diabetes management, heart health, and weight loss. These drinks reflect a broader shift toward mindful consumption, where flavor and function are expected to work hand-in-hand.
- The Dubai Chocolate Effect
Social media has a way of reshaping the coffee landscape overnight. One of the most visible examples this year is the widespread popularity of Dubai-style chocolate drinks. The signature combination of pistachio and rich chocolate has found its way into lattes, cold foams, and iced mochas across the U.S., often paired with a heavy visual appeal that mirrors its online origins. This movement reflects how digital aesthetics and viral visuals are starting to influence real-world cafe menus.
- Coffee gets Boozy
Classic options like the Espresso Martini and the Carajillo continue to hold their ground, but fresh variations are making their way onto cocktail menus. Cold brew is becoming a staple base for bar programs, lending its smooth flavor to drinks like the Cold Brew Negroni and other spirit-forward twists. Matcha, too, is branching out beyond the latte, showing up in inventive cocktails like the matcha gimlet, green tea shot, and gin sour. Chai and other tea-based infusions are also expanding the flavor palette into alcohol, representative of an interesting shift towards indulgence.
How We Help Coffee Shops Stay Agile
With trends evolving so quickly, the ability to update your menu across all locations with a few clicks becomes essential. At Dripos, we’re focused on building tools that simplify operations behind the counter so that coffee professionals can spend more time experimenting, serving, and building community.
As temperatures climb and consumer tastes continue to evolve, one thing is clear: summer is no longer just iced latte season. It’s a time when creativity thrives, experimentation is rewarded, and the line between café culture and broader lifestyle trends keeps getting blurrier. Whether it’s a pistachio mocha or a turmeric tonic, this season’s drinks invite us to stay curious.