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Coffee Shop Summer Menu Ideas
Summer is here—and so is the thirst for something bold, bright, and totally irresistible.
As the sun sticks around longer and temperatures climb, consumer behaviour shifts. People want drinks that refresh, excite, and make them feel like they’re on holiday—whether grabbing a quick coffee or catching up with friends at their local café. And when it comes to standing out in a crowded market, limited-time summer menus are a powerful way to turn heads and drive footfall.
65% of consumers say they enjoy trying new seasonal items, and 7 in 10 are likelier to visit venues with rotating seasonal drinks (Technomic 2023; Mintel). That’s a big incentive for food service operators to get creative and lean into the season with eye-catching, crave-worthy drinks that feel exclusive.
This summer’s trends are about fun, fruity, and feel-good flavours. Think tropical lemonades bursting with mango and pineapple, zesty coolers, and indulgent frappes with strawberries and cream or coconut and white chocolate. There’s also a big appetite for nostalgic blends that bring back childhood memories—flavours like rhubarb and custard, banana split, or tutti frutti are making a playful comeback. These drinks don’t just taste great—they tell a story and create moments customers want to share.
Creating a summer drinks menu isn’t just about flavour—it’s a brand opportunity. Limited-time drinks can help you generate buzz on social media, boost engagement with your audience, and encourage repeat visits. When your menu feels fresh and seasonal, your business is tuned in to what customers want. And with major high street chains already rolling out their summer ranges, the time to act is now.
So whether you’re a café, coffee shop, dessert bar or mobile operator, a strong seasonal menu can give you the edge this summer. By offering refreshing, visually vibrant drinks that are slightly unexpected, you’re giving your customers more reasons to visit—and keep coming back.
Keep It Classic
Many customers look forward to the return of summer classics, craving their favourite flavours year after year. Familiar, nostalgic options like mango, peach, strawberries, and cream offer a sense of comfort and seasonal tradition—the kind of drinks that keep people coming back.
- Mango and Passion Fruit Smoothie
- Sugar-Free Peach Iced Tea just add 30ml of Simply Sugar-Free Peach Iced Tea to 270ml of lemonade!
- Strawberries and Cream Frappe
- Tropical Lemonade – just add 30ml of Simply Tropical Cooler to 270ml of lemonade!
Simply Top Tip: One flavour can inspire a variety of refreshing drinks—why not try creating a summer flavour collection, for example, tropical, with a mango iced matcha, tropical frappe, and mango and passion fruit smoothie?
Trending Flavours
This summer, take your menu to the next level with trending flavours on social media—think pistachio, tiramisu, and cherry. These bold, Instagram-worthy choices capture attention and drive curiosity, especially among younger consumers.
With 70% of Gen Z turning to TikTok for food and drink inspiration—compared to just 53% of the general population (AHDB, 2024)—social media is a major driver of what’s hot right now. From indulgent matcha mashups to globally inspired frappes, creative seasonal drinks don’t just help you stay relevant—they also offer a great way to reimagine ingredients you already have, cutting down on waste and boosting profit margins.
These aren’t just drinks—they’re content, conversation starters, and customer magnets. Perfect for operators looking to make a splash this summer.
- White Chocolate Pecan Iced Matcha – just add 7.5ml of Simply White Chocolate Syrup and 7.5ml of Simply Pecan Syrup to an iced matcha!
- Dubai Chocolate Frappe
- Tiramisu Iced Latte
- White Chocolate Cherry Iced Matcha – just add 7.5ml of Simply White Chocolate Syrup and 7.5ml of Simply Cherry Syrup to an iced matcha!
We have so many more fun and trendy drink ideas in our latest Spring/ Summer Magazine – download here!
Dessert Inspired Deliciousness
Dessert-inspired beverages are taking the industry by storm—and for good reason. These drinks bring a sense of indulgence and comfort, especially when they tap into nostalgic flavours people know and love.
From creamy, familiar favourites to playful new twists, dessert drinks are a smart way to add excitement to your menu while giving customers that feel-good moment they’re craving.
Here are a few dessert-inspired drinks we’re loving for summer:
- Strawberries and Cream Iced Matcha – just add 7.5ml of Simply Strawberry Syrup and 7.5ml of Simply Vanilla Syrup to an iced matcha!
- Tiramisu Iced Chocolate
- Chocolate Covered Strawberry Frappe
- Blueberry and Lemon Muffin Frappe
Quick Summer Wins
Our Simply Smoothies range makes serving a fresh, fruity smoothie easier than ever. Just blend with ice—no prep, no fuss.
Made with real fruit purée, each flavour delivers a bold, natural taste with minimal ingredients needed. Even better? They’re ambient until opened, so you can say goodbye to freezer-hogging fruit and hello to more space and less waste.
Here are our top smoothie flavour picks for the season ahead:
- Pineapple and Passion Fruit Smoothie
- Summer Fruits Smoothie
- Strawberry and Banana Smoothie
- Exotic Fruits Smoothie
Find all our summer recipes here!
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