Luckin Coffee’s Blood Orange Cold Brew mixes bold coffee with a sweet-tart citrus kick, offering a budget-friendly alternative to pricier cafe drinks. This cold brew innovation combines smooth coffee steeped for low acidity with a bright citrus infusion of blood orange syrup, blending bitter and fruity flavors in one glass.
Available for around $2 at US locations like New York City stores, it’s part of the Chinese chain’s push to challenge Starbucks’ dominance in the $5-and-up cold brew market.
The drink layers traditional cold brew with natural blood orange syrup, made by simmering juice, brown sugar, and orange peels into a concentrated sweetener. For tartness or fizz, some versions add grapefruit or sparkling water—similar to Luckin’s “solar breeze” blend. The concept echoes Thailand’s popular caffeinated drink in Thailand, the orange juice americano, which substitutes water with citrus for a bittersweet coffee blend.
The syrup’s customizable, letting drinkers adjust sweetness, while the coffee’s medium-coarse grind and long steeping time guarantee a smooth base. Served over ice, it’s designed for warm-weather refreshment without the sharpness of hot-brewed coffee. Moreover, local shops often promote unique flavor profiles that inspire creative drink combinations like this.
Priced at half the cost of many Starbucks cold drinks, Luckin’s Blood Orange Cold Brew taps into growing demand for affordable, flavored coffee. The chain promotes it as a grab-and-go option for younger, budget-conscious consumers drawn to creative flavors beyond plain lattes or drip coffee. To boost loyalty, Luckin rewards coffee subscription members with 10% discounts on recurring orders, making frequent purchases more economical than daily Starbucks runs.
At half Starbucks’ prices, Luckin lures budget-minded coffee lovers with vibrant flavor twists—crafted for grab-and-go vibes and Gen Z wallets.
Social media buzz highlights its vibrant color and balanced taste, with fans praising the mix of fruity zest and coffee depth. Early reviews often compare it favorably to Starbucks’ pricier options, noting similar quality at a lower cost.
While Luckin hasn’t disclosed US sales figures, its aggressive pricing and bold flavors aim to carve a niche in a crowded market. The blood orange variant sits alongside raspberry and pineapple cold brews, expanding choices for customers seeking variety.
Promotional materials emphasize the $2 tag, framing it as an accessible luxury amid rising cafe prices.
Online, influencers and casual buyers post photos of the drink’s sunset-orange hue, sparking curiosity. Comments often mention its “refreshing” vibe and value, though some note the sweetness varies by location.
As summer heats up, Luckin’s bet on citrus-driven cold brews could test whether value and innovation outweigh brand loyalty in America’s coffee wars.
