Clamor for Iced Coffee Heats Up
By ELIZABETH LEE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/11/07
Cold coffee is red hot this summer.
The chilled, sugary caffeine blast that Starbucks unleashed several years ago is popping up everywhere, Fast food chains that recently upgraded their breakfast eye-openers are rolling out iced versions. Borders is getting even chillier, advertising a cold-brewed iced or frozen coffee in a range of sweet flavors.
Why the rush? Coffee is one of the most profitable items for food service operations, and sales are booming. Sales of chilled coffee drinks will reach $6.5 billion by 2011, accounting for one-quarter of all prepared coffee sales in restaurants, predicts market research firm Datamonitor.
Restaurants see chilled coffee as a way to bring in customers at slower times of day — and, for java fiends, it's a cool way to get a buzz in sultry weather.
Just don't think a buzz is all you're getting. Many of the drinks are high in calories, fat and sugar. Some chains offer light versions, and ordering without a whipped cream topping will cut calories and saturated fat significantly.
Here's a look at which cold coffee drinks have us all jittery.
Krispy Kreme Mocha Dream Chiller
$2.49 for 12 ounces
670 calories, 24 grams saturated fat (120 percent of the daily allotment of 20 grams)
The bottom line: Best of the bunch, with noticeable chocolate flavor that doesn't overpower the coffee. Smooth, creamy and totally yummy — but even a small has more calories and bad fat than three original glazed doughnuts.
Slurpability: Five straws
QuikTrip Frozen Cappuccino
99 cents for 22 ounces
495 calories, 12 grams saturated fat
The bottom line: Pour-your-own instant gratification. Mild, creamy and sweet.
Slurpability: Four straws
McDonald's Iced Coffee, Hazelnut
$1.69 for 24 ounces
180 calories, 5 grams saturated fat
The bottom line: Mellow, with the hazelnut syrup making it sweet, sweet, sweet. Also in plain and vanilla.
Slurpability: Three straws
Starbucks Orange Mocha Frappuccino
12 ounces for $3.65
310 calories, 6 grams saturated fat
The bottom line: Pronounced orange flavor that stands up to the strong coffee taste. The squirt of orange syrup on top looks icky.
Slurpability: Two straws
Mocha BK Joe Iced Coffee
$1.99 for 22 ounces
380 calories, 6 grams saturated fat
The bottom line: Tastes like chocolate syrup.
Slurpability: Two straws
Seattle's Best Coffee Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch JavaKula, at Borders
$3.82 for 12 ounces
480 calories, 14 grams saturated fat
The bottom line: Peanut butter goes great with chocolate, not so good with coffee. Try the Cold-Brewed Marble Mocha over ice instead.
Slurpability: One straw
Caribou Coffee Heath Bar Toffee Cooler
$3.70 for 16 ounces
550 calories, 19 grams saturated fat
The bottom line: Sickeningly sweet. Who wants to suck down candy bits through a straw?
Slurpability: One straw
