With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, lovestruck sweethearts are already searching for the perfect gifts to show their affection. According to the National Retail Federation, 2024 surveys anticipated overall spending for Valentine’s Day to reach over $25 billion.
Though roses, chocolates, and dinner dates are always in fashion for the occasion, many consumers are seeking more personalized alternatives to traditional presents these days. In response, coffee brands, from cafés to roasters, are happy to oblige, offering a range of products geared toward the romantic holiday.
The National Coffee Association estimates that about two-thirds of adults in America drink coffee each day, while 75% enjoy a caffeinated brew at least once a week. That represents a 40% increase in coffee consumption over the last 20 years! But with increased competition, brands must find ways to keep customers engaged. The answer lies in seasonal and limited-time offers (LTOs), which are excellent means of spurring excitement.
With that in mind, consider the following flavors you can brew up for customers this Valentine’s Day:
Lava Cake
Love is an all-consuming emotion that floods the brain with feel-good chemicals, namely dopamine and oxytocin. Chocolate consumption, as a matter of fact, has a similar effect, stimulating the release of dopamine as well as endorphins and serotonin.
It could be said, then, that the two go hand-in-hand. And that is especially true on Valentine’s Day, if seasonal coffee offerings are any indication. Instagram account @snackolator, known for revealing fast food launches, recently leaked Dunkin’s upcoming menu for Valentine’s Day, and it includes several seasonal beverages.
The overarching theme seems to be decadent lava cake, as there’s Lava Cake Coffee, Lava Cake Signature Latte, and an in-app exclusive Raspberry Lava Cake Coffee. Brown sugar beverages are present, as well, with a Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso and in-app Brown Sugar Oat Iced Matcha Latte.
Cake flavors aren’t exclusive to Dunkin’, of course. Small batch coffee roaster La Crema is offering a Valentine’s Day Coffee Bundle that includes Red Velvet Cake and Strawberry Shortcake flavors.
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Berry Parade
Chocolate and berry pairings are typical Valentine’s Day fare, and coffee selections aren’t straying too far from the winning formula. In addition to Dunkin’s Raspberry Lava Cake Coffee, the La Crema Coffee Bundle includes both Chocolate Covered Strawberry and Neapolitan flavors. Online gourmet coffee roastery Coffee AM is also welcoming customers to fall in love with their Valentine’s Day coffee collection, including Chocolate Strawberry and Chocolate Raspberry flavors.
Even coffee creamer brands, like International Delight, are getting in on the action with new releases like Chocolate Covered Strawberry and Wedding Cake Coffee Creamers, inspired by the reality dating show Love is Blind.
Related: Crafting a Valentine’s Day Moment
Asian-Inspired Tastes
Valentine’s Day is a big deal in Asian countries like Japan, with women traditionally giving chocolate to the men in their lives. In Korea, Valentine’s Day is actually just one of 12 love days occurring on the 14th day of each month, though it is among the most notable. A close second is White Day on March 14, where men give reciprocal gifts to their special someones.
With regard to coffee, past years have seen some beverage brands go all out for these occasions. In February 2020, for instance, Starbucks locations in South Korea offered an array of pink beverages featuring fresh, premium, local Seolhyang strawberries delivered to stores daily. Last year, its locations in Japan debuted the limited-time Rouge Opera Frappuccino, inspired by French opera cake, including white or dark chocolate drinks topped with raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, and edible gold dust.
Unsurprisingly, the Asian zeal for the holiday mimics other recent food trends (think Asian spice blends) making their way to the U.S., with 2025 products piggybacking on previous holiday promotions in Far East countries.
Seasonal Coffees Are on the Rise
Coffee consumption, in general, is more prevalent than it was just two decades ago, and seasonal offerings have increased in response to growing interest and competition. With Asian countries leading the charge in novelty offerings for Valentine’s Day, U.S. brands can tap into trends to deliver LTOs that resonate with consumers on a global scale.
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