Forget Starbucks coffee - Gen Z like their drinks ice cold
Saturday, 29 August 2026
Warm-up
- What do you usually order when you visit a café? Why?
- How does social media influence what you try or buy?
- Do you change your drink choice by season? Give examples.
Vocabulary
- customise
- to change something so it fits your own taste or needs
- premium
- an extra price paid because something seems special or higher status
- trend
- a general change in what many people like or do over time
- campaign
- a planned set of actions to promote a product or idea
- creator
- a person who makes online content, such as TikTok videos
- partner
- to work together with another person or company
- revive
- to make something strong or successful again after a weak period
- refresher
- a fruit-based cold drink sold as a light, energising option
Reading
Starbucks was founded as a hot coffee chain. Today, three out of every four drinks it sells are cold. Gen Z customers, born between 1997 and 2012, often pick iced, fruity or protein‑boosted options they can customise. Tristan Höver at Euromonitor says tailoring gives them control, and big, layered, visual drinks can justify a premium.
Social media drives the trend. Starbucks’ Unicorn Frappuccino, sold for three days in August, was hyped on TikTok and lifted foot traffic by 44%, says Placer.ai. Competitors are racing to catch up. Dunkin’ ran a campaign and partnered with Kylie Jenner on limited‑time drinks, and fast‑food chains launched fruit‑based refreshers.
UK data from Worldpanel by Numerator shows shoppers under 25 buy over 60% of their drinks cold, versus about 30% for those 55 and older. More than 70% buy cold drinks year‑round, and over 80% do so in summer. Cold drinks now account for more than 70% of Starbucks’ US beverage sales, and creator‑led add‑ons help to revive the brand, says marketing professor Tirtha Dhar.
Comprehension
- What share of Starbucks drinks are now cold?
- Why do many Gen Z customers choose cold drinks, according to Euromonitor?
- Which TikTok‑hyped drink lifted foot traffic, and by what percentage?
- Which chain partnered with Kylie Jenner to promote cold drinks?
- In UK data, how do under‑25s compare with over‑55s on buying cold drinks?
Grammar focus
Should have
Use should have + past participle to say, about the past, that something was a mistake or should have been done. It shows criticism or regret about what did not happen. (Examples constructed.)
- Fans **should have tried** the Unicorn Frappuccino earlier.
- Shops **should have offered** iced options last summer.
Grammar exercise
Complete each sentence with 'should have' + past participle of the verb in brackets.
- Managers (launch) ___ a cold menu earlier to meet demand.
- Brands (partner) ___ with creators to reach Gen Z sooner.
- Stores (stock) ___ more fruity refreshers before summer.
- Competitors (copy) ___ the viral drink faster.
- Marketing teams (use) ___ TikTok to promote new flavours.
Discussion
- Is a drink’s look important to you, or only the taste and price? Why?
- Would you pay a premium for a special or limited‑time drink? Explain.
- How much does TikTok or Instagram influence choices where you live?
- Should big chains add more custom options, or keep menus simple? Why?
Vocabulary, reading, and exercises with instant feedback