Cold drinks used to be something we associated with summer — an iced coffee on a hot day, or a frappe as a seasonal treat. But that thinking has changed. In cafés across Australia, cold beverages are now a year-round favourite, with iced coffees, frappes and flavoured drinks appearing on menus even in the middle of winter.
What’s driving the shift isn’t just the weather — it’s preference. More customers are reaching for iced drinks because they enjoy them, not because it’s hot outside. For many, an iced latte or flavoured cold drink has become their go-to order, no matter the season.
Cold drinks are now part of everyday café culture
Walk into a café today and you’ll notice something different — cold drinks aren’t sitting on the “summer specials” board anymore. They’re right there on the core menu, alongside hot coffee and tea.
Younger customers in particular are leading this change. Iced drinks are no longer seen as occasional or seasonal — they’re simply part of how people enjoy coffee and flavoured beverages every day.
As a result, cafés are no longer designing separate summer and winter menus. Instead, they’re building one consistent menu that works all year round, with both hot and cold options sitting side by side.
Flavour is what makes cold drinks exciting
As cold drinks have become more popular, flavour has become even more important.
Iced beverages are no longer just about refreshment — they’re about enjoyment, creativity and personal taste. That’s where flavour plays a big role in turning a simple iced coffee or frappe into something special.
Arkadia’s flavoured syrup range has been developed with this in mind, offering flavours that bring something a little different to everyday drinks. From Pistachio and Tiramisu to Cherry, Lavender, Rose, Blueberry and Pumpkin Spice, these syrups make it easy to create drinks that feel unique, indulgent and fun.
Whether it’s a flavoured iced latte, a creamy frappe or a dessert-inspired cold drink, these flavours help turn simple recipes into something worth looking forward to.
Indulgent drinks are becoming everyday treats
Cold drinks are also becoming more than just refreshing — they’re becoming little moments of indulgence.
Layered drinks, creamy textures and dessert-inspired flavours are turning iced beverages into something customers actively choose as a treat, not just a thirst quencher.
Flavours like Arkadia Cherry, Pistachio and Tiramisu fit perfectly into this space, helping cafés create drinks that feel a bit more special, whether it’s a weekend treat or a midweek pick-me-up.
It’s all about simple ingredients that make everyday drinks feel more enjoyable.
A new way of thinking about café drinks
The biggest shift isn’t just what people are ordering — it’s how drinks are being thought about.
Instead of separating “hot drinks” and “cold drinks”, cafés are now building menus that focus on flavour and experience first. That means iced drinks sit naturally alongside hot coffee, with both playing an equal role in the menu.
For customers, that’s good news — it means more choice, more creativity, and more ways to enjoy their favourite café drinks all year round.
About Arkadia
Arkadia is passionate about helping cafés and home baristas create delicious, flavourful drinks that are easy to make and enjoyable to share.
With a wide range of flavoured syrups and matcha products designed for hot, cold and blended drinks, Arkadia makes it simple to add creativity to everyday beverages.
The latest syrup flavours — including Tiramisu, Pistachio, Cherry, Lavender, Rose, Blueberry and Pumpkin Spice — are all about bringing new ideas and inspiration into the drinks people already love, from iced coffees and frappes to lattes and dessert-style creations.
