In China, the demand for pre-packaged ice cups has surged this summer, driven by a record-breaking heat wave and a growing trend among consumers to craft their own affordable cold beverages at home. This shift comes as many opt for DIY drinks over visiting coffee shops like Starbucks and Luckin Coffee, as well as bubble tea and juice bars, amid economic uncertainties and job insecurity.
The trend has been amplified by social media, where users showcase their homemade drinks. A search on Xiaohongshu, a popular lifestyle platform, reveals over 13,000 recent posts featuring innovative ice cup creations. Examples include jasmine tea mixed with lychee juice and black coffee poured over orange juice, mimicking popular café offerings.
Independent food and beverage analyst Zhu Danpeng notes that this trend reflects a younger generation’s desire for novelty and social sharing. The cost-effectiveness of making these drinks at home, compared to purchasing from cafés, also plays a significant role. For instance, a DIY ice cup using pre-packaged Starbucks coffee and orange juice costs around 24.5 yuan, less than the 27 yuan typically spent at a Starbucks.
The rise of DIY ice cups presents additional competition for China’s already fragmented beverage market, where coffee and bubble tea chains vie for consumer attention with numerous stores and promotions. Despite this, Starbucks remains a key player, holding the second position in the ready-to-drink coffee market, as noted by Euromonitor.
Jason Yu, managing director of Kantar Worldpanel, emphasizes the success of ice cups this summer, highlighting their appeal as a cost-effective and creative beverage option. Convenience store ice cups, priced between 3 to 9 yuan, offer a high-quality alternative to more expensive café drinks.
Beverage companies have responded to this trend, with brands like Mixue Bingcheng and Nongfu Springs launching their own ice cups at competitive prices. Despite the growing popularity of these pre-packaged options, some consumers acknowledge that the unique quality of commercial ice cubes cannot be easily replicated at home.
($1 = 7.1369 Chinese yuan renminbi)