Going Very Large with Lattes

You might think that a bucket is something you use to hold water or perhaps a KFC feast. But a new trend is seeing iced coffees, including lattes, served in buckets!

Across the pond, independent coffee shops are enabling customers to go very large by offering super-sized iced drinks. These leviathans are increasingly appearing on TikTok and other social media platforms, sparking heightened interest in the buckets, many of which even boast handles.

The trend appears to have been inspired by a viral TikTok posted by a Mississippi café, which has since garnered millions of views.

Ideal for sharing or for satisfying the incurably greedy, the drinks are becoming so sought-after that coffee lovers are travelling significant distances to purchase them.

Shops are reporting that the buckets are incredibly popular and that they can represent up to 30% of total sales.

One would think that a Starbucks Venti (710ml) would be enough for anyone but clearly not. For some, 34oz buckets of coffee are the way forward. For the record, 34oz is more than a litre. Certain outlets are offering even larger servings than that.

What are the advantages of a bucket of latte?

A bucket of coffee is ripe for sharing and could be a family affair. Most are supplied with straws to facilitate sharing. If you are someone who can’t walk past a coffee shop without heading for the counter, the buckets could save you a great deal of time as they give you an entire day’s worth of indulgence in one hit.

Some experts feel that the trend reflects the new and more favourable attitude to caffeine and coffee consumption in general. There are signs that people are increasingly becoming sceptical of health hype and are showing their resistance by investing in larger portions of things they like. In addition, the potential health benefits of coffee drinking are now better understood.

Novelty factor is certainly also at play here. Buckets of coffee are new to market and so are inevitably attracting attention. They are also eminently sharable on social media.

What are the downsides?

Drink an entire bucket of coffee and you will be buzzing all day! These massive servings will definitely give you a caffeine overload and that might not be a good thing unless you are facing an all-nighter working or revising.

Buckets may also prove to be problematic if you are travelling by car as they are not going to fit in your cup holder or anywhere else for that matter.

Then there’s the cost. A bucket of iced latte will likely set you back around $12, more if you embellish it with flavourings, sprinkles, marshmallows or ice cream.

It’s also worth thinking about the calorie count which could reach 1000 or more, depending on the type of milk used and any extras that are added. How does that compare to junk food? Well, a McDonalds meal featuring a Big Mac and medium fries contains just 799 calories.

You may also have concerns regarding sustainability. The widespread use of plastic buckets raises environmental questions, especially in zero-waste communities.

Buckets of joy?

If you love your coffee, there’s no doubt that a bucket of iced latte offers instant appeal. But such a large serving of your chosen beverage will set you back a few quid and could add inches to your waistline. Buckets are great for sharing and when they feature over a litre of latte, they should certainly be shared!