Spring has arrived, and at Stokes Coffee & Tea, we know that for hospitality owners, this means one thing: the "Iced Season" is officially here. While the UK might be famous for its grey skies, our appetite for chilled beverages is anything but cold.
Believe it or not, the UK has the highest iced coffee sales in Europe. UK iced coffee sales have grown 22% over the past five years (Innova Market Insights, 2025). It’s a bit of a plot twist for a nation with an average temperature of just 10°C! But, we just can’t seem to get enough!
As your wholesale partner, we aren't just here to supply the coffee beans; we’re here to help you capitalise on this booming market. From creative recipe development to training your baristas to master the perfect pour, we have the tools to help your menu stand out.
What’s Trending in Flavours?
This year, the "drinkable dessert" and functional refreshment trends seem to be dominating the scene. Here is what your customers are looking for:
Botanicals & "Swicy": Lavender and hibiscus are making waves, while "swicy" (sweet and spicy) profiles like hot honey or chili-infused lemonades are the choice for adventurous drinkers.
Vibrant Matcha: Matcha is no longer niche, it’s a visual and health-conscious drink that keeps growing in popularity; often paired with fruits like mango or strawberry.
Bakery-Inspired Indulgence: Think liquid versions of your favourite treats: Tiramisu, Banana Bread, Pistachio, and Lemon Drizzle.
Featured Recipes
Here’s some inspiration of some serves that are as easy to make as they are Instagrammable.
1. The Pistachio Chocolate Frappe
A creamy, nutty delight that hits the "bakery-inspired" trend perfectly.
Ingredients:
Chocolate frappé, Pistachio Syrup, Milk, Ice
Instructions:
• Fill glass with ice, level with the top of the glass
• Pour milk over ice (to 1cm below the top)
• Pour contents of glass into blender jug
• Add 1 scoop of frappé powder and 2 pumps of syrup
• Put the lid on tightly, blend until smooth
2. Blueberry Iced Matcha
The ultimate functional refresher with a berry punch.
Ingredients:
Matcha powder, Blueberry syrup, Milk, Ice
Instructions:
• Combine matcha in a cup with a splash of hot water.
• Mix to a smooth paste.
• In separate cup add syrup, then ice to fill.
• Top with milk to 2cm below the top.
• Pour matcha slowly on top and serve.
3. ‘Lincoln’ Fog
Our Stokes version of the London Fog, which is on our own menu for this spring!
Ingredients:
Stokes Espresso, Lavender syrup, Earl Grey syrup, Milk, Ice
Instructions:
• Fill glass with ice.
• Add cold milk leaving around 2 inches at the top.
• Add 1 pump of lavender to espresso and pour into glass.
• Pour skinny milk into metal milkshake cup with a few cubes of ice.
• Add 20ml Earl Grey syrup and whip until thick and glossy.
• Pour on top of your drink with lavender garnish.
Let’s Get Your Staff Summer-Ready!
Adding cold drinks to your menu shouldn't be a headache. Stokes offers dedicated training support to ensure your team can deliver consistently. We can help you with:
Menu Creation: Crafting a balanced list of signature iced lattes, coolers, and frappes.
Speed of Service: Training staff on layering and blending techniques to keep queues moving.
Optimising Equipment: Ensuring your machines are ready for the increased demand for espresso shots and cold foam.
Ready to cool down your customers and heat up your sales? Contact the Stokes Wholesale team today to book a cold drinks workshop.