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Why Iced Drinks Are More Than Just a Summer Fling

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When the thermometer climbs and the nation reaches for iced lattes and cold brews, it’s clear we’re witnessing more than just a seasonal craving—it’s a lasting cultural shift. Cold beverages have taken center stage.


By the Numbers: The Iced Era Is Here to Stay

  • Cold-coffee purchases in the U.S. reached $17.7 billion in 2023, more than doubling from just a few years earlier.

  • At Starbucks, 75% of U.S. sales now come from cold beverages.

  • Among consumers under 35, 37% drink iced coffee daily, often year-round.

  • 24% of Americans reported daily iced coffee consumption in 2023, up from 17% just one year earlier.

This isn’t a passing trend—it’s a fundamental shift in how people enjoy their drinks.


Always Chill-Ready

At David Rio, we didn’t wait for the iced trend to arrive. From the very beginning, we designed all of our chai, matcha, and specialty blends to be enjoyed hot or iced. Every blend in our collection—whether it’s Tiger Spice Chai®, Power Chai® Matcha, or our Thai Iced Tea blend—was crafted to be seasonless.

That means you never have to choose between cozy and cool. One tin, one packet, one recipe—limitless possibilities.


Why This Matters

  • Flexibility for you: Whether you’re in a heatwave or a foggy San Francisco morning, your chai can go with you—iced or steaming.

  • Future-proof flavor: As consumer habits shift toward cold drinks, our blends are already there.

  • Year-round joy: With iced versatility built in, there’s no wrong season for chai.


San Francisco’s “September Summer”

Here in San Francisco, we like to say that summer doesn’t actually arrive until September. Just as the rest of the country pulls out sweaters, the fog lifts, the sun pours in, and the city feels like July again.

That’s why iced drinks have always been part of our DNA. For us, “chill-ready” isn’t a trend—it’s a tradition.


Chill Out With These David Rio Recipes


Iced Tiger Spice Chai®

  1. Dissolve 4 Tbsp Tiger Spice Chai® in 2 oz hot water, whisk until smooth.

  2. Add 12 oz cold milk and stir.

  3. Pour over a tall glass of ice and enjoy.


Iced Power Chai® Matcha

  1. Dissolve 2 Tbsp Power Chai® Matcha in 2 oz hot water, whisk well.

  2. Stir in 12 oz cold milk.

  3. Pour over ice and sip the green goodness.


Thai Iced Tea Frost

  1. Dissolve 2 Tbsp Thai Tea Blend in 2 oz hot water.

  2. Stir in 8 oz cold milk.

  3. Pour over ice for that fragrant, creamy finish.


Boba Chai

  1. Dissolve 4 Tbsp Tiger Spice Chai® in 2 oz hot water.

  2. Add 8 oz cold milk and stir.

  3. Pour over a cup with ½ prepared boba and ice.


One More Fun Twist: The Thai Breaker

If you’re looking for something a little extra, check out our Thai Breaker—a bold, refreshing take on Thai iced tea. And because chai magic is best seen (and sipped), we asked our very own Mel to show you how it’s done. Watch Mel prepare the Thai Breaker here

This quick video makes it easy to follow along step by step, so you can bring café-worthy iced chai home.
This quick video makes it easy to follow along step by step, so you can bring café-worthy iced chai home.

Final Sip

The iced beverage boom proves what we’ve always believed: great drinks should be as versatile as the people who love them. At David Rio, every blend is crafted to meet you where you are—hot, iced, or somewhere in between. So grab your favorite David Rio blend, add ice, and chill your way.


References

Brisk Coffee. (2025, May 8). Your restaurant or cafe needs a cold coffee program. Retrieved from Brisk Coffee website 

Empower: The Currency editors. (2025, February 3). Big gulps: Cold drinks capture both mind share and market share. Retrieved from Empower website 

Forbes. (2025, April 13). The rise of functional beverages among millennials and Gen Z. Retrieved from Forbes website 

World Coffee Portal. (2021, August 19). Starbucks says nearly 75% of its Q3 US beverage sales were cold. Retrieved from World Coffee Portal website 

QSR Magazine. (2023, August 2). Cold drinks now represent 75 percent of Starbucks’ sales. Retrieved from QSR Magazine website 

CNBC via Facebook. (2023). Cold coffee is booming in the U.S. In 2023, Americans spent about $17.7 billion on out-of-home cold coffee including iced coffee, cold brew and frozen coffee drinks [Video]. Retrieved from CNBC on Facebook

Javo Beverage. (2024, June). Cold Coffee Trends [PDF]. Retrieved from Javo Beverage website 


 
 
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