Younger generations are turning their backs on hot drinks and instead looking to cold creations. The global RTD tea and coffee market was estimated at a cool $103bn in 2022, with a CAGR of 6.2% projected from 2023 to 2030.
On-the-go consumption is helping drive growth, but consumers are equally keen to hear about at-home options.
And as ever, they’re eager to explore new ideas and innovations. Here’s some of the latest launches in the RTD tea and coffee space.
Protein RTD tea and coffee
Chike Nutrition, a protein iced coffee and tea company, is expanding its line-up with two new flavors for summer.
Blackberry Hibiscus and Pineapple Margarita both contain added electrolytes for hydration; real green tea; 15g of clear protein; 100mg of caffeine; no artificial flavors or colors; and come in at 0 grams of sugar and 70 calories each per serving.
Jimmy’s Iced Coffee Donut
UK brand Jimmy’s Iced Coffee is launching a new limited-edition Donut flavor: a deliciously-indulgent drink that combines the rich, bold flavor of coffee with the sweet taste of donuts’.
The UK ready-to-drink coffee category continues to grow, increasing from £343m to £367m RSV over the last year, according to Nielsen IQ figures.
The new launch is targeting younger shoppers, particularly Gen Z: with 74% of this demographic on the lookout for new and unusual coffee flavors, according to FMCG Gurus.
The Carlsberg Britvic launch comes in a 250ml SlimCan format with a £1.70 RRP.
Lipton Fusions
Lipton Ice Tea has launched a new twist on RTD tea with Lipton Fusions: a lemonade iced tea infused with fruit flavor.
The drink comes in two flavors: strawberry lemonade and pineapple mango lemonade.
The new innovation contains 50% less sugar than regular sodas, and is available in 16 oz cans nationwide via Amazon and Walmart.
Cinnabon Iced Coffee
International Delight, a top US coffee creamer and iced coffee brand, is launching new Cinnabon Iced Coffee cans.
Created in partnership with the bakery chain best known for its indulgent cinnamon rolls, the new collab offers the ‘perfect combination of cinnamon and cream cheese frosting flavors’ in a can.
Cinnabon Iced Coffee cans are available now at select convenience, grocery and dollar stores across the US in 15-ounce cans for a suggested retail price of $2.68.
Unconform: function and flavor in coffee
This month sees the arrival of Unconform, a new brand in the UK’s growing coldbrew coffee movement.
The central thinking behind the 3-strong range is to blend flavor and function together to create delicious brews with added nootropics with clear functional benefits.
In its first incarnation, the range will be made up of a Flat White that aids consumers with cognitive support (focus), a Salted Caramel Latte with added gut health benefits and a Mocha that supports healthy skin, hair and nails. Each can has a RRP of £2.49 (250ml).
Unconform is targeting health-conscious individuals facing long, busy days that are physically and mentally taxing.
The UK coldbrew coffee movement is currently worth about £10m a year, but is predicted to grow to £29m by 2027 tapping into the vibrant demand for products with clear functional health benefits.
Pop & Bottle
California’s Pop & Bottle, a female-founded, clean ingredient coffee brand, has launched its RTD Double Cold Brew Oat Milk Latte.
The latte comes with an extra dose of caffeine, and contains creamy oat milk, naturally sweetened dates, a wellness boost from coffee cherry antioxidants.
Nescafé Espresso Concentrate arrives in Europe
Nescafé Espresso Concentrated range is launching in Europe, starting with the UK.
The range allows consumers to make their own personalized iced beverage: be it a creamy iced latte, a robust iced americano, or even mix it in a refreshing twist with lemonade or juice. Because the concentrate easily dissolves in water or milk, coffee drinkers can create café-style beverages in an instant.
“With its growing popularity among younger generations, cold coffee continues to drive growth in the coffee category,” said Axel Touzet, Head of Nestlé’s Coffee Brands Strategic Business Unit. “Nescafé Espresso Concentrated captures what young people want in an iced coffee: convenience, personalization and quality.”
Each bottle of Nescafé Espresso Concentrated contains 16 servings and is available in three flavors: vanilla, caramel and classic.
Following its successful launch in the US, Japan, China, Australia and now Europe, plans are underway to launch Nescafé Espresso Concentrated globally across Asia and Latin America.
Nestle says the innovation has ‘significant growth potential’: with the ability to generate over 100 million Swiss francs globally in annual sales over the coming years.
