Across Australia, cafés, coffee shops, and foodservice providers are witnessing a powerful shift in consumer behaviour – the cold drink revolution. BioPak explores how venues can tap into the trend.
Once seen as a niche or seasonal indulgence, chilled drinks such as cold brew, iced coffee, matcha, sodas, and sparkling tonics are becoming a staple order. The trend is driven largely by Gen Z and younger demographics who are rewriting café culture with their preference for bold, refreshing, and ‘Instagram worthy’ drinks.
Globally, the category has experienced significant growth, with occasional cold brew drinkers rising 73 per cent since 2019, while regular consumption has jumped 60 per cent. Locally, the cold brew market is projected to almost triple to $24.4 million by 2032, expanding at an impressive 10.6 per cent CAGR.
Between 2019 and 2023, online mentions of cold brew in Australia surged to 12 per cent of all coffee-related conversations; a striking indicator that it’s on track to rival long standing favourites such as the flat white and cappuccino.
Together, these figures highlight that cold beverages aren’t just an add-on, they are a catalyst reshaping menus, customer experiences, and the very economics of cafes.
“For cafés and coffee shops, this creates a golden opportunity to innovate not only in drink offerings but also in presentation and packaging,” says Trevor Rumble, BioPak’s Director of Product & Innovation.
“From the clarity of an iced latte layered with oat milk to the vibrant hues of cold pressed juices and sparkling kombuchas, visual appeal is an important component as social media content continues to surge with cold cups trends. Consumers are increasingly looking for drinks that don’t just taste good but look good, ready to be snapped, shared, and enjoyed.”
That’s why selecting the right packaging matters. BioPak has long supported cafes and foodservice businesses with its broad range of cold cup options.
“Known for their durability, functionality, and commitment to sustainability, BioPak cups serve up chilled beverages with quality, confidence and style,” says Trevor.
Choosing the right cup
In preparation for the warmer months, BioPak is elevating the drink experience with a range of cold drink cups for all occasions. Unsure where to start? Here are some considerations in choosing the right cup for you.
“If you’re looking for a lightweight but sturdy cup with excellent temperature retention – perfect for carbonated drinks, slushies, frozen beverages, and shakes – BioPak’s Cold Paper Cups are easy to hold and help reduce condensation,” Trevor says.
“And with the option for quality custom branding available, any business can stand out from the crowd. Made from FSC (C110879) Mix certified paper and lined with plant-based bioplastic, they meet Australian and European composting standards (AS4736 & EN13432). For a splash of colour, be sure to check out BioPak Coloured Paper Cups.”
If you’re looking for a cup that enhances the visual experience of a beverage, BioPak’s clear PLA Green Stripe Cold Cups are designed to be durable, versatile and see-through – perfect for matcha, iced lattes, cold brews and juices that allows customers to celebrate the colours, textures, and layers of any drink.
“The iconic green stripe BioCup has become a familiar favourite for businesses and customers alike; certified industrially compostable to Australian Standards (AS4726 & EN13432) and designed for the circular economy,” says Trevor.
Not sure which cold cups to choose? Here’s the rule of thumb: if you want to showcase a drink that has visual impact, go with clear PLA cups. If the drink is more functional than visual, paper is the way to go.
Need a sustainable cup? BioPak has you covered
As the cold drink movement continues to grow, cafés that embrace both flavour innovation and thoughtful presentation will be best placed to ride the wave.
“With BioPak’s range of coloured cold cups and clear PLA cups, cafés and coffee shops can tap into upcoming trends with packaging that is fit for purpose and certified, while enhancing the overall customer experience,” says Trevor.
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