Over the past year, the way we enjoy tea and coffee has changed. From indulgent lattes to wellness-focused brews, drink trends are evolving. Using search data, the 2025 drinks report by Denby has explored these recent shifts, looking at how flavour, ritual, and presentation are shaping the way we sip in 2025 and beyond.
- Coffee is king
Tea has been the UK’s favourite drink for decades. In fact, it’s been our national drink since the 1700s! But is it still the crowning glory of beverages? According to search data, coffee is now on top, getting 95,000 monthly searches on average (compared to 42,000 for tea).
The gap between the two also seems to be widening. From the 4th–10th February 2024, Google searches for tea and coffee were almost equal. But, just a year later, coffee has left its counterpart behind, surging in popularity by 26% (Google Trends).
So what’s the most popular type of coffee? You’ll probably see lattes most on the seasonal menu at your favourite coffee shop since their mild, milky taste provides the perfect base for extra flavours and add-ins. But online, more people are searching for the flat white, which gets 125,000 monthly Google searches.
- Matcha makeover
In 2025, visual appeal matters more than ever, with social media turning everyday sips into statement moments.
Old favourites like bubble tea will stay in the spotlight, along with another old favourite: matcha.
Strawberry matcha
This year, matcha is getting a makeover, evolving beyond its iconic green with new flavours taking over. Fruity matcha adds some sweetness to the earthy drink, along with aesthetic appeal. Strawberry matcha is causing a particular stir, with a 300% rise in Google searches in the last year alone. Not only does this blend matcha with the sweetness of strawberries, but it creates a beautiful pink and green layered drink, making it a favourite for aesthetic lattes and best served in an attractive clear glass to make the most of the layers.
Blueberry matcha
Strawberry isn’t the only berry that’s getting all the love this year. Google searches for ‘blueberry matcha’ are up 250% on last year as this vibrant blend gains serious traction. With its stunning blue-purple and green layers, blueberry matcha isn’t just a treat for the taste buds — it’s a feast for the eyes, too.
Chocolate matcha
The iconic matcha latte is getting a dreamy twist as Google searches for ‘white chocolate matcha’ have tripled in the past year. The light and mellow flavour makes it the perfect addition to matcha, letting the tea’s vibrant flavour shine through. It’s perfect for those who love the complexity of matcha but want a sweeter twist.
- Supercharged sipping
This year, our morning coffee and afternoon tea are evolving from simple daily habits into mindful wellness rituals. Superfood infusions and herbal teas are growing in popularity, and alongside classics like peppermint and spearmint tea, some newer flavours and blends are entering the mainstream. Google searches for herbal tea blends have risen in the past year, with lemon balm (+70%), fenugreek (+70%), mullein (+60%), and dandelion tea (+50%) gaining popularity thanks to their perceived wellness benefits.
Hibiscus tea
Similarly, hibiscus and berry teas offer vibrant flavours without added sugars, perfect for health-conscious sippers. With 6,000 average monthly Google searches, hibiscus tea is making its bold entrance into the drinks world this year. This bold brew has a tart flavour that’s often compared to cranberries, making it the perfect contender for those who enjoy sweet teas without the sugar.
Mushroom coffee
Blends infused with mushrooms cater to those looking for more than just caffeine. Google searches for this earthy brew are up 50% on last year as people search for a more mindful approach to their morning coffee. This unique drink blends traditional coffee with adaptogenic mushrooms like lion’s mane and reishi. Alongside some perceived health benefits, it also has a lower caffeine content (although it’s not caffeine-free).
Turmeric latte
With its blend of golden turmeric, spices, and creamy milk, it’s a soothing, caffeine-free choice for those looking to unwind.
The shift towards health-conscious teas and coffees is about more than just ingredients; it’s about embracing mindfulness and ritual. As more people seek balance in their daily routines, tea and coffee are evolving from simple beverages into wellness routines that offer both comfort and purpose.
- The finest flavours
Long gone are the days of a simple coffee with milk. Today, coffee lovers are exploring more unique and exciting tastes to elevate their daily brew, including blueberry and gingerbread. But the standout flavour of 2025 has to be pistachio, with Google searches for ‘pistachio latte’ and ‘pistachio coffee syrup’ doubling in just the last year. Seen in everything from coffees to chocolate and even pesto, this sweet and mellow flavouring also adds a beautiful pastel green hue to your drinks and meals, making it the perfect option for those who like to balance taste and aesthetics.
Another breakout flavour for 2025 is toasted marshmallow. Google searches for ‘toasted marshmallow syrup’ have surged by over 5,000% in the last year alone. This sweet, smoky flavour is a perfect match for hot chocolates, with searches for ‘toasted marshmallow hot chocolate’ increasing by 200%.
- Luxury lattes
If the trending flavours have taught us anything, it’s that our hot and cold drinks are becoming more of an indulgence than in previous years, with small purchases like these now viewed as a special treat. People are embracing rich, decadent flavours that turn everyday beverages into moments of luxury and comfort.
A great example of this is the trending Spanish latte. Made with a combination of milk and condensed milk, it’s a more indulgent version of your regular coffee and is growing in popularity — Google searches for ‘Spanish latte’ are up 90% on last year.
In a similar vein, drinks like the tiramisu latte and Biscoff latte reflect how the humble cup of coffee has evolved into a dessert-like experience. A coffee is no longer just a quick pick-me-up — it’s something to be savoured.
“It’s fascinating to see how coffee is becoming the nation’s go-to drink, with more people choosing creative, indulgent coffee experiences over tea. But at the same time, there’s a real shift towards health-conscious options like herbal teas and mushroom coffee, showing that we want much more from our beverages than a simple caffeine fix.
“Overall, our daily drinks have started to become a bit more mindful. It’s not just about taste anymore: presentation matters more than ever. Social media has made aesthetic sips a trend, with handcrafted ceramics adding to the mindful, slow-living appeal. Whether it’s a steaming herbal tea in a speckled mug or a layered matcha latte in a glass, drinks are becoming special moments to savour.
“This could perhaps largely be attributed to current spending habits. Small luxuries like a beautifully made drink feel even more special, even when they’re made in our own kitchens.”— Hayley Baddiley, Marketing Director from Denby