Cold foam has been crowned the biggest coffee trend of 2026, as a new study reveals Britain’s growing appetite for barista-style coffee at home.
Research from Nespresso, which analyses survey data1 and search trend analysis, has revealed the coffee trends that have dominated 2026, as well as those expected to shape the nation’s morning brew in 2027.
The findings suggest Britain is moving beyond coffee as a simple caffeine hit, with younger generations in particular turning their kitchens into their own personal coffee shops.
Almost four in five Gen Z (79%) and nearly three quarters of Millennials (73%) have tried making trending coffee recipes at home. By comparison, just 21% of Baby Boomers say they have experimented with viral coffee trends.
Joana Passeira, Coffee Ambassador at Nespresso, explains:
“We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how people view their morning brew. The modern coffee drinker wants to be their own barista, experimenting with flavours, textures, and techniques that were once exclusive to premium cafes.”
Cold coffee takes the top spot
While traditional hot coffee remains a staple, the research suggests that 2026 belonged to cold coffee, with cold foam ranking as the biggest coffee trend of the year.
Searches for cold foam, layered coffee, cold brew and iced coffee recipes have surged as consumers look to recreate the drinks they see in cafes and across social media at home.
The trend is particularly pronounced among Gen Z, with 68% now drinking iced coffee or cold brew at home. And despite Britain’s often unpredictable weather, 22% of Gen Z say they enjoy iced coffee all year round.
Cardiff has emerged as the UK’s iced coffee capital, with 18% of residents regularly choosing iced coffee regardless of the season, closely followed by Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Coffee gets more creative
Cold coffee is just one part of a wider shift towards experimentation. Throughout 2026, coffee drinkers have increasingly treated their daily brew as an opportunity to experiment with flavours, textures and presentation.
Flavoured syrups, seasonal specials and dessert-inspired creations such as tiramisu lattes and affogatos have proved popular, alongside more unusual combinations including vibrant ube lattes, indulgent mochas and savoury twists such as sea salt rims.
The rise of these recipes reflects a wider desire to recreate the cafe experience at home, with consumers increasingly treating their kitchens as a space for both creativity and indulgence.
Coffee meets wellness
The coffee cup is also becoming part of the wider wellness routine, with functional ingredients gaining traction throughout 2026.
Matcha, protein coffee and mushroom coffee have all attracted attention, while 19% of Millennials say they have tried coffee containing added ingredients such as collagen or adaptogenic mushrooms.
Looking ahead, this trend could become even more prominent. 22% of Gen Z say they are interested in trying gut-friendly or probiotic coffees in 2027, suggesting that the boundary between coffee and wellness will continue to blur.
Joana says: “Consumers increasingly expect their coffee to deliver both exceptional flavour and functional benefits. At Nespresso, we’ve already seen this shift reflected in products such as Vivida or Active, coffees enriched with vitamin B12 or B6, and Ginseng Delight demonstrating how functional ingredients can be integrated into the coffee experience without compromising on taste.”
The coffee shop is coming home
The growing popularity of at-home coffee recipes is also changing the way people use their kitchens.
Search interest around terms including “coffee station”, “coffee corner”, “coffee bar”, “milk frother” and “pink coffee machine” points to a growing appetite for dedicated coffee spaces that combine functionality with interior style.
And the trend is about more than aesthetics. Consumers estimate that they save an average of £24.77 per month, or almost £300 a year, by making coffee at home instead of buying takeaway drinks.
Coffee is also becoming increasingly important when entertaining at home:
51% of people say the coffee they serve guests is important to them
38% enjoy offering personalised coffee options to guests
27% actively try to recreate a cafe-quality experience when entertaining at home
The findings suggest that the humble coffee station is becoming more than a practical kitchen addition, with dedicated spaces helping consumers recreate the cafe experience while hosting friends and family.
What will we be drinking in 2027?
If 2026 was the year of cold foam, creative recipes and the home coffee corner, the research suggests 2027 will take at-home coffee experimentation even further.
Functional coffee gets a boost: Protein, collagen and probiotic ingredients are expected to become increasingly common as consumers look for coffee that combines flavour with added functional benefits.
Iced coffee stays on the menu all year: Cold coffee looks set to remain a year-round staple, with iced drinks and cold foam continuing to defy traditional seasonal expectations.
Dessert moves into the coffee cup: The popularity of tiramisu and affogato-style drinks is expected to fuel even richer and more indulgent coffee creations.
Coffee gets hyper-personalised: With an expanding range of syrups, milk frothers and coffee accessories, consumers are expected to have greater control over every element of their drink, from sweetness and texture to flavour and presentation.
Coffee becomes a hosting essential: As more people recreate cafe-style drinks at home, serving guests a personalised coffee menu could become just as important as the food and drinks on offer.
Coffee corners become a kitchen fixture: Dedicated coffee stations are predicted to become an increasingly established feature of modern kitchens, combining coffee-making equipment with interior design.
As Britain’s coffee habits continue to evolve, one thing is clear: the nation’s relationship with coffee is becoming increasingly personal.
From perfecting homemade cold foam to experimenting with functional ingredients and creating dedicated coffee corners, the home barista movement shows no signs of slowing down.
