"Who Drinks 'Americano' These Days?"... The Starbucks Beverage That Sold 3 Million Cups

Tea Beverage Sales Among People in Their Twenties Jump 20% in One Year
"Grapefruit Honey Black Tea" and "Yuzu Mint Tea" Gain Popularity

The so-called "healthy pleasure" trend, which refers to enjoying health-conscious choices, is reshaping beverage consumption patterns among people in their twenties. As more consumers seek to control their caffeine intake without sacrificing taste or personal preference, beverage choices are gradually diversifying beyond coffee-centric options.

Starbucks models are holding Grapefruit Honey Black Tea and Yuzu Mint Tea iced beverages. Starbucks Korea

According to Starbucks Korea on January 12, beverage purchases by customers in their twenties increased by 20% year-on-year in 2025. While overall tea beverage sales rose by 8% during the same period, the growth among customers in their twenties was even more pronounced.

The Favorite Among People in Their Twenties Is "Grapefruit Honey Black Tea"... 3 Million Cups Sold Annually

The most popular tea beverage among customers in their twenties was found to be "Grapefruit Honey Black Tea," which harmoniously blends the refreshing taste of grapefruit with the sweetness of honey. Marking its 10th anniversary this year, Grapefruit Honey Black Tea is one of Starbucks' signature beverages, recording annual sales of about 3 million cups to customers in their twenties. In 2024, it also became the first tea beverage to surpass a cumulative sales milestone of 100 million cups.

The second most popular choice was "Yuzu Mint Tea," which combines the unique tartness of yuzu with the refreshing coolness of mint. The third and fourth spots were claimed by "Jeju Matcha Latte" and "Matcha Glazed Tea Latte," respectively, reflecting the recent global matcha craze. Rounding out the top five was the "Starbucks Classic Milk Tea," featuring robustly brewed black tea blended with creamy milk.

(from left) Yuzu Mint Tea, Grapefruit Honey Black Tea, Jeju Matcha Latte. Starbucks Korea

Starbucks: "Expanding the Tea Experience... Strengthening Menu Strategy"

Starbucks anticipates that demand for tea among younger customers will continue for the foreseeable future and has made half of its seasonal beverages launched this month tea-based. A Starbucks representative stated, "We are striving to offer a variety of tea beverages, recognizing that our younger customers enjoy not only coffee but also tea," adding, "We will ensure that customers can enjoy a diverse 'tea experience' at Starbucks."