For whatever coffee and tea actually exist within these drinks, what a waste. Somewhere, farmers have painstakingly cultivated and harvested their crops with immense care, only to have them violated by a deluge of cream, syrup and sugar.
Of course, the trend itself isn’t new. It’s simply the latest iteration in the battle for the hugely lucrative coffee and tea market, especially younger consumers drawn less to caffeine than to sweetness, novelty and texture. Cold foams, whipped toppings, creamy layers and all the rest are now part of the appeal. Naturally, these concoctions also have to win likes on TikTok and Instagram. And they must be portable too, designed to be carried down the street as a signal you’re on trend, unlike the Italians who take simple pleasure in pausing to sip and enjoy their caffeine.
For my money – and that’s another reason I won’t be indulging, because these products cost a bomb – simple cold coffee and milk poured over ice might not be especially Instagenic, but it’s far more refreshing and delicious than these saccharine confections. If you actually fancy a coffee dessert, which my Italian friend strongly recommends as the better option, you can’t beat an affogato: a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream “drowned” in a shot of hot espresso. It still tastes of coffee even as the ice cream melts into it. And if you’re thirsty, you just can’t beat a glass of cold mineral water to drink alongside.