Starbucks is increasingly being used by younger customers as a destination for customisable cold drinks rather than traditional coffee, reflecting Gen Z preferences for iced, visually appealing and personalised beverages. The change matters because cold drinks now underpin Starbucks’ growth strategy and are encouraging rival chains to expand their own refreshers, protein drinks and limited-edition options.

Starbucks says cold beverages account for three quarters of all its drinks and more than 70% of US beverage sales, with flavours, foams and protein additions providing high-margin customisation. In the UK, under-25s make more than 60% of their out-of-home drink purchases cold, compared with 30% among over-55s; more than 70% of people buy cold drinks year-round. Starbucks’ short-lived Unicorn Frappuccino reportedly increased footfall by 44%, illustrating the promotional value of colourful, social-media-friendly drinks.