Summer's Favorite Coffee Drinks in St. Louis (2025 Edition)

When temperatures rise, the way St. Louisans drink coffee changes dramatically. As the humidity climbs and afternoon sun intensifies, locals pivot from hot lattes to cool, refreshing alternatives. For mobile coffee cart providers like Eden Coffee Co, understanding what people crave during the summer months isn't just helpful—it's critical for meeting demand and staying competitive.

What Makes a Coffee Drink a Summer Favorite?

St. Louis summers are long, hot, and often sticky. That means customers gravitate toward cold, hydrating, and sometimes slightly sweet coffee-based options. Whether they're grabbing a cup on their way to the office or treating wedding guests to a coffee cart after dinner, these drinks must meet three criteria:

• Cold: Iced or chilled drinks reign supreme

• Flavorful but Light: No heavy syrups or overly rich ingredients

• Easy to Customize: Consumers like to personalize their drinks

Understanding these needs, we’ve designed our summer offerings at Eden Coffee Co. to meet them head-on—efficiently, consistently, and with attention to both quality and presentation.

Top Coffee Drink Requests in Summer 2025

Based on industry data and our experience across St. Louis events, these drinks are among the most in-demand in the region this summer:

Cold Brew Coffee (Still King)

Cold brew continues to dominate local demand from June through August. Its bright, crisp character makes it especially appealing in the heat. While many associate cold brew with lower acidity, we actually lean into a light roast that brings a livelier, more vibrant finish. It’s what gives our cold brew its signature pop.

Cold Brew Best Practices:

• Steep coarsely ground light roast beans for 12–24 hours

• Serve with a splash of whole milk or half and half (which is seeing increased popularity over non-dairy options)

• Offer light, customizable syrup flavors like vanilla, caramel, or lavender

Avoid under-steeping or using stale beans—both can lead to a flat, lifeless drink.

Iced Matcha Lattes

Matcha's growth continues in 2025. Once niche, it’s now one of the most requested non-coffee beverages, particularly for health-conscious or mid-day sippers who want a gentle caffeine lift without the crash.

What Makes It Work:

• Antioxidant-packed and vibrant

• Customizable sweetness with honey or vanilla syrup

• Works best with whole milk for a creamy, balanced finish

Coconut milk isn't part of our menu due to its incompatibility with the bright, clean flavor we aim to achieve.

Espresso Tonics

Adventurous drinkers and younger guests are helping espresso tonics gain ground in local coffee culture. Combining chilled tonic water with fresh-pulled espresso, it’s an eye-catching drink with a flavor profile that cuts through the heat.

Tips for Serving:

• Use quality tonic with herbal or citrus notes

• Pour espresso gently over ice and tonic to preserve flavor

Popular at festivals, creative events, and brunch-style gatherings, this is a modern pick-me-up that turns heads.

Flavored Iced Lattes: Local Customization Wins

A traditional iced latte remains a safe bet, but we’re seeing increased demand for seasonal and regionally inspired customizations.

Here are a few standouts across different areas of St. Louis:

• Honey lavender – a favorite in the Central West End

• Coconut vanilla – often requested for weddings in Forest Park (using flavor only; no coconut milk)

• Cinnamon brown sugar – trending upward in South City neighborhoods

These flavors pair beautifully with traditional dairy and show how local tastes shape summer menus.

Non-Coffee Refreshers Are Surging

Caffeine-free and low-acid options are increasingly popular—especially at weddings, family events, and mid-day corporate pop-ups. Here’s what guests are reaching for:

Iced Hibiscus Tea with Citrus

• Bold in color, light in taste

• Customizable with lemon or orange slices

• Serves as a caffeine-free alternative with a high “Instagrammable” factor

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Sparkling Lemonade with Mint or Ginger

• Bright and palate-cleansing

• Versatile enough for adults and kids alike

The key to success here: balance the sweetness, and keep the carbonation crisp.

St. Louis Summer Beverage Trends (2025 Snapshot)

Recent market data and local event service reports suggest:

• Cold brew comprises ~45–50% of iced coffee purchases across the region

• Flavored lattes make up 30–35%, especially during weddings and catered brunches

• Tea-based and fruit refreshers account for 15–20% of overall summer drink volume

Demand tends to spike in areas with high walkability, outdoor events, or health-conscious clientele.

Considerations for Mobile Coffee Service in STL

If you're planning to include coffee catering in your event, these are the must-haves for summer service:

• Reliable cold storage: Portable refrigeration or cooler systems are essential

• Ice management: Having enough to last several hours is non-negotiable

• Signage that informs: Clearly display your seasonal options and customization choices

At Eden Coffee Co, we’ve built our cart setup to handle high-volume summer events without sacrificing drink quality or service speed. It’s a big reason planners across the city turn to us year after year.

Why Staying Seasonal Isn’t Optional

Events that offer generic coffee menus risk falling short in guest experience. In contrast, seasonally updated menus:

• Encourage exploration and interaction

• Boost per-guest order value

• Increase the likelihood of positive feedback and repeat bookings

More importantly, offering the right drinks at the right time of year reflects a level of professionalism and care that clients and guests recognize.

St. Louis's summer drink scene has shifted. Guests want drinks that are cold, customizable, and a little unexpected. As demand for creative mobile catering rises, aligning your menu with regional preferences isn’t just smart—it’s essential.

From citrus-toned espresso tonics to bright light roast cold brew, the summer of 2025 belongs to vendors who know their craft and serve with intention.

If you’re organizing a wedding, employee appreciation day, or neighborhood event and want a coffee experience that matches the energy of the season, Eden Coffee Co is ready to help. Book your summer event with us—and give your guests something to sip and remember.