RISMEDIA, January 24, 2011—Is iced coffee the hottest drink this winter? A new independent survey commissioned by Dunkin’ Donuts shows that more coffee drinkers are turning to iced coffee for energy during the coldest part of the year. According to the survey results, nearly 80% of iced coffee drinkers are drinking more iced coffee now than they did one year ago, and the majority of iced coffee drinkers prefer iced coffee to hot coffee—even in the winter months.
Dunkin’ Donuts, the company that serves some of the most hot traditional and iced coffee in America commissioned the survey of 500 iced coffee drinkers throughout the country during the first week of January 2011. With the National Coffee Association’s “National Coffee Break Day” on January 20—part of the Association’s Centennial celebration—Dunkin’ Donuts aimed to determine the cold hard facts and trends about how coffee drinkers are warming up to iced coffee during the winter. The survey findings include:
-The majority of iced coffee drinkers, 56%, prefer iced coffee to hot coffee, even during the winter.
-Drinking iced coffee during the winter is a hot trend, as 48% of iced coffee drinkers started enjoying the beverage during the winter just within the past three years.
-For energy, iced coffee is the cool choice. When asked for their preferred beverage when they need energy, 64% said iced coffee, followed by energy drinks (22%), carbonated beverages (9%) and juice (6%).
What do people like best about iced coffee?
-42% said it gives them energy to get through the day
-21% said they can drink it faster than hot coffee
-19% felt it helped cool them down
-18% like being able to drink their coffee through a straw
Iced coffee drinkers like a little additional flavor in their cup, as 91% claimed they drink flavored iced coffee. Mocha and French Vanilla were the most popular flavors (30% each), followed by Caramel (22%) and Hazelnut (13%).
Iced coffee drinkers are a tough bunch. Nearly 40% of iced coffee drinkers brave the elements and hold the cup with just their bare hand in the winter. Only 10% admit to using a glove every time.
Is it ever too cold for iced coffee? Fifty-six percent said it is never too cold to enjoy iced coffee.
When do people prefer to drink their iced coffee? The top time periods are:
-9am-12pm (37%)
-12pm-3pm (30%)
-6am-9am (20%)
-After 3pm (13%)
“At Dunkin’ Donuts, iced coffee is fast becoming as popular as the classic cup of Dunkin’ Donuts’ hot coffee, regardless of the season,” said John Costello, Chief Global Customer and Marketing Officer at Dunkin’ Brands. “As these survey results show, we can expect more and more people to turn to iced coffee for the energy they need to keep themselves running, regardless of how low the temperatures might drop.”
For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.
