Comprehensive Snapshot for U.S. Liquid Coffee Market, Including Zone and Segment Analysis in Brief.
Industry: Food and Beverages
Delivery Timelines: Please Contact Sales
Published Date: May-2025
Format: PPT*, PDF, EXCEL
Number of Pages: 145
ID: PMRREP35342
The U.S. liquid coffee market size is predicted to reach US$ 6,913.4 Mn in 2032 from US$ 4,482.3 Mn in 2025. It will likely witness a CAGR of around 6.4% in the forecast period between 2025 and 2032.
The market is currently undergoing significant transformations boosted by a rising appreciation for convenience without compromise and changing consumer habits, finds a Persistence Market Research report. Modern consumers are increasingly inclined toward ready-to-drink options such as nitrogen-infused blends, canned espressos, and cold brews. As per Statista, more than 3 in 4 individuals in the U.S. drink coffee daily, with consumption rising among millennials and Gen Z who favor RTD formats for their portability. Retailers are responding to this demand by extending their shelf space, whereas local brewers focus on launching craft-inspired offerings.
Key Industry Highlights
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Market Attribute |
Key Insights |
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U.S. Liquid Coffee Market Size (2025E) |
US$ 4,482.3 Mn |
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Market Value Forecast (2032F) |
US$ 6,913.4 Mn |
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Projected Growth (CAGR 2025 to 2032) |
6.4% |
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Historical Market Growth (CAGR 2019 to 2024) |
4.7% |
The U.S. liquid coffee market growth is predicted to surge at a rapid pace with increasing demand from the foodservice industry. This is attributed to the resurgence of on-premise consumption and rising interest in ready-to-serve formats across convenience outlets, restaurants, and cafes. The National Coffee Association, for instance, found in 2023 that nearly 65% of adults in the U.S. drank coffee every day, with a significant rebound in away-from-home consumption post-pandemic. This gradual recovery has resulted in an increasing demand for cold brew and pre-brewed coffee solutions among foodservice companies seeking smooth operations and low brewing time during peak hours.
Bakery cafes and Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) are increasingly incorporating organic coffee concentrates and cold brews into their menus to cater to changing consumer preferences. Panera Bread, for example, recently extended its Unlimited Sip Club to launch iced and cold brew options, pointing toward a surging reliance on pre-prepared liquid coffee to cater to on-the-go consumers. Similarly, in late 2023, McDonald’s reported that its McCafé beverage category, which includes cold and iced coffee, was one of its most prominent segments in the U.S., propelled by seasonal offerings and bundled breakfast deals.
One of the key challenges in the liquid coffee market in the U.S. stems from shelf-life and distribution issues, specifically for dairy-based and cold brew variants. Even though shelf-stable black cold brews are extensively used, products with plant-based or milk creamers often require cold chain logistics, thereby raising transportation and storage costs. This limits the availability of such Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) in small-scale retail outlets or rural areas. As per a recent published report, more than 34% of refrigerated ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee products faced out-of-stock issues in 2023 across convenience stores during peak summer months due to cold chain inefficiencies.
Another challenge is the labeling complexity and regulatory scrutiny revolving around functional liquid coffees, mainly those infused with nootropics, cannabidiol, or adaptogens. Brands such as Super Coffee and Taika, have shifted toward functional beverage positioning and have faced delayed rollouts or labeling pushbacks in certain states due to changing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. This is predicted to add a layer of cost and risk for brands striving to innovate beyond the standard ready-to-drink coffee market, creating challenges for scaling functional liquid coffee ranges in mainstream retail.
The ongoing shift toward bag-in-box (BIB) liquid coffee systems and kegerator-style cold brew taps across hotel chains, co-working spaces, and college campuses is expected to create lucrative opportunities for coffee concentrate market players. It is particularly evident in on-demand dispensing and bulk packaging solutions. These formats help eliminate the requirement for trained baristas and in-house brewing infrastructure, creating a high-consistency, low-labor model suitable for non-conventional coffee vendors.
In the U.S. education sector, several university campuses are now installing self-serve cold brew stations as part of cafeteria and meal plan upgrades. Compass Group, a leading campus foodservice provider, for instance, joined hands with STK Cold Brew in 2023 to implement tap systems across more than 200 college dining locations. This was a result of a high demand for specialty coffee without café-style wait times among students. Similar strategies are anticipated to help develop brand loyalty at an early consumer stage as well as push liquid coffee demand, creating new avenues for the caffeinated beverage market.
In terms of coffee type, the market is segregated into espresso, cappuccino, americano, and latte. Out of these, cappuccino is predicted to generate a share of approximately 34.2% in 2025. This is attributed to its ability to provide a balanced flavor profile that satisfies both coffee aficionados and casual drinkers. Unlike overly sweetened lattes or black coffee, bottled cappuccinos deliver a middle ground with low sugar content, creamy texture, and moderate bitterness. RTD cappuccinos also contain a blend of espresso, milk, and froth or foam-like consistency, which is achieved through formulation, providing a café-style experience in a portable format. Starbucks’ bottled Cappuccino series is a staple in grocery stores across the U.S. These continue to be one of the brand’s most popular SKUs in the RTD segment of the coffee beverages market.
Espresso, on the other hand, is anticipated to witness a considerable CAGR from 2025 to 2032. This is due to its ability to serve as a functional base for a wide range of RTD coffee beverages while also meeting the surging demand for low-volume, high-caffeine formats. Its concentrated nature enables brands to develop potent and small-sized products that appeal to on-the-go consumers seeking a quick energy boost without the volume of a full latte or cold brew. Leading beverage brands are investing in espresso-centric innovations. Monster Beverage’s Espresso Monster line, for instance, although limited in flavors, has maintained a niche audience among consumers demanding a hybrid between conventional coffee and energy drinks.
Based on serving type, the market is bifurcated into hot and cold coffee. Among these, the hot coffee segment will likely lead with around 62.7% of the U.S. liquid coffee market share in 2025. Hot liquid coffee is gaining popularity in cold regions where year-round iced coffee consumption lags. The National Coffee Association’s 2024 report revealed that more than 75% of individuals in the U.S. above the age of 45 prefer hot coffee over cold formats. In colder states and during fall or winter months, hot coffee preference rates often rise above 80%. Leading QSRs and hospitality chains are also investing in hot coffee solutions, creating new growth avenues. For example, McDonald’s, through its McCafé brand, has focused on hot coffee offerings in its collaboration with Keurig Dr Pepper. It launched new packaged liquid coffee concentrates in 2023 that were mainly made for hot brew applications in commercial dispensers.
Cold coffee is currently seeing decent growth in the U.S. owing to its robust appeal among millennials and Gen Z consumers. This is because of their rising preference for indulgent, refreshing, and customizable caffeine formats. Cold coffee consumption, mainly iced espresso and cold brew drinks, witnessed over 24% year-over-year growth among individuals between the age group of 18 and 34 in 2024, says the National Coffee Association. Cold brew alone accounted for approximately one in five RTD coffee purchases among this demographic. A key factor spurring the cold brewing coffee market is the influence of social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, where the recipes of such beverages often go viral and lead to real-world demand.
West U.S. is speculated to account for a share of around 32.5% in 2025. This zone, encompassing states such as Washington, Oregon, and California, has become a hotspot for coffee innovation, specifically in the RTD segment. A key trend in the West is the increasing popularity of cold foam-topped coffee drinks, including the Viennese Einspänner. These drinks, characterized by their dense frothed cream toppings, have gained impetus in specialty coffee shops across New York and Los Angeles. Reputed chains have already incorporated these offerings into their menus, highlighting a significant consumer shift toward texturally rich and visually appealing coffee experiences.
The rapid expansion of drive-through coffee chains, including Dutch Bros, originating from Oregon, emphasizes the area’s adoption of flavor-rich yet convenient coffee options. Dutch Bros has extended its presence, focusing on customizable espresso-based and iced beverages served through efficient drive-through models. Their innovative approach has contributed to strong brand loyalty and impressive average annual sales per store. The single-serve coffee maker market is also seeing developments in the West, as brands are coming up with new machines that can offer convenience and a wide array of liquid coffee options.
The Southeast is expected to be propelled by evolving consumer preferences and a dynamic café culture. The rapid expansion of specialty cafés and coffee chains in urban centers such as Charlotte, Miami, and Atlanta has spurred demand for liquid coffee. These establishments are proliferating and diversifying their menus to offer various liquid coffee options, catering to a wide spectrum of consumer tastes. The cafés and bar market in the Southeast is seeing steady growth with increasing consumer demand for premium coffee experiences.
The café culture in the zone is further fostering social interaction and community engagement, positioning coffee shops as key hubs in urban and suburban areas. This cultural shift is not only bolstering foot traffic to these establishments but also raising demand for multiple liquid coffee products, such as RTD options that cater to busy consumers. The Southeast, however, faces challenges due to economic policies. In Miami, for instance, coffee shops are contemplating price hikes in response to the ongoing U.S. tariffs implemented under President Trump.
While the Midwest has conventionally showcased lower coffee consumption rates, states such as Michigan and Ohio defy this trend. Michigan leads with an average of 2.52 cups per person daily, and Ohio follows with 2.16 cups. This highlights that while total participation has reduced, dedicated coffee drinkers in these states consume more per capita.
Economic challenges, specifically the impact of tariffs, have significantly hampered the zone’s coffee industry. Wonderstate Coffee in Wisconsin, for example, has been facing an additional US$ 250,000 to US$ 300,000 annually owing to 10% import tariff on coffee beans. These high costs are resulting in potential price hikes for consumers and delayed investments.
The U.S. liquid coffee market is facing intense competition due to innovation from both emerging companies and well-established players. Leading players have strengthened their presence in the country with the launch of ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee ranges in retail channels beyond their conventional store formats. Starbucks, for example, has leveraged its collaboration with PepsiCo to ensure widespread distribution of its bottled cold brew products and Frappuccino. Similar partnerships are helping legacy coffee brands to maintain their stronghold in grocery and convenience stores. Independent companies are focusing on positioning themselves as ethically sourced and premium alternatives. They are launching new products in niche segments such as dairy-free, single-origin, or organic cold brews, attracting health-conscious consumers.
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Report Attribute |
Details |
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Historical Data/Actuals |
2019 - 2024 |
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Forecast Period |
2025 - 2032 |
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Market Analysis Units |
Value: US$ Bn/Mn, Volume: As Applicable |
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Geographical Coverage |
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Segmental Coverage |
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Competitive Analysis |
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Report Highlights |
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Customization and Pricing |
Available upon request |
By Coffee Type
By Serving Type
By Flavor
By End-use
By Zone
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The U.S. liquid coffee market is projected to reach US$ 4,482.3 Mn in 2025.
Increasing demand for RTD coffee among millennials and surging preference for on-premise consumption are the key market drivers.
The market is poised to witness a CAGR of 6.4% from 2025 to 2032.
Rising adoption of kegerator-style cold brew taps in hotels and increasing demand for foam-topped coffee drinks are the key market opportunities.
Café Amazon, Café du Monde, and Caffè Nero are a few key market players.
