Hot summer temperatures throughout the United States resulted in increased consumption of cold coffee, bottled water and soda, according to the latest consumer trends report from the National Coffee Association (NCA).
The fall 2025 National Coffee Data Trends (NCDT) report — one of two published annually by the coffee industry trade organization — showed that 66% of Americans reported drinking coffee within the past day, which is on par with the group’s spring 2025 report.
Between those two reports, past-day consumption of bottled water jumped to 69% from 64%, which the NCA attributed to sustained higher temperatures during the summertime survey period.
Overall, the study reinforces several emerging trends among consumers, including the increased popularity of cold brews, iced/frozen coffee drinks, ready-to-drink coffee beverages, seasonal drinks and the convenience of drive-throughs.
The NCDT has tracked U.S. coffee consumption since 1950. The fall 2025 report followed mid-June surveys among a nationally representative sample of 1,862 U.S. adults, with quotas for age, gender, region and ethnicity.
The NCA is selling the report for $550 to members as part of a bundled package, or as a standalone report to nonmembers for $1,499.
Here are just a few of the takeaways from the report, according to a preview shared with DCN:
Seasonal Preferences
- Cold stuff: 32% of Americans said they had cold brew, frozen/blended or nitro within the past week. Within those, cold brew (21%), frozen/blended (19%) and nitro (6%) were the most popular.
- Specialty stays strong: 57% said they had specialty coffee within the past week, which ties a high set in 2023. Younger adults are leading that trend, with 46% of 18–24-year-olds saying they had a specialty coffee drink within the past day.
- Water and soda rebound: Bottled water rebounded to 69% consumption within the past day, and soda rebounded to 46%, its highest level in five years.
Who’s Drinking What Where
- Average intake: Coffee drinkers reported 2.8 cups per day.
- Mornings at home: 85% of past-day coffee drinkers had coffee with breakfast. 82% of past-day drinkers had coffee at home, while 36% had it on the go.
- Slurp of the South: Past-day incidence was highest in the South (69%), beating the West (68%), the Midwest (63%) and the Northeast (61%).
Methods and Formats
- Drip still rules: Automatic drip coffee makers led past-day preparation (38%), followed by single-cup brewers (23%). Ready-to-drink (RTD) reached 19% past-day, and instant is at 17%. Espresso machines (11%), bean-to-cup (9%) and cold brewing (6%) round out the list.
- Picking Up Non-Literal Steam: The report notes increased interest in RTD and cold-coffee preparation compared to the spring report, which aligns with summer shifts to chilled options and convenience.
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