As autumn approaches and coffee shops prepare their seasonal menus, a fascinating study reveals which coffee flavors dominate social media feeds year-round.
Researchers at The Ice Maker Hub analyzed Instagram hashtags including #FlavorLatte and #FlavorCoffee to determine which coffee flavors generate the most social media buzz, ranking them by total Instagram uploads.
The Top 10 Most Viral Coffee Flavors
Vanilla claims the crown as the most popular coffee flavor with over 9.9 million Instagram uploads. This classic favorite has generated 268,000 posts under #VanillaLatte alone, with iced vanilla lattes particularly popular on social platforms. Unlike seasonal offerings, vanilla’s year-round availability from major chains explains its massive social media presence.
Strawberry takes second place with over 8.3 million Instagram posts. This trendy flavor exploded on social media last summer, earning the title “drink of the summer” when Starbucks released their strawberry iced latte recipe. The hashtag #StrawberryLatte has accumulated over 233,000 uploads.
Caramel rounds out the top three with 8.2 million Instagram posts. This traditional flavor pairs perfectly with seasonal variations like salted caramel, while #CaramelMacchiato alone features in 476,000 posts.
Lavender claims fourth place with 8.09 million posts. This unconventional floral flavor gained traction through Instagram and TikTok, with Starbucks describing their lavender latte as “spring in a cup.”
Honey secures fifth place with 8.07 million uploads. Coffee chains have embraced honey variations including hot honey, caramelized honey, and honeycomb flavors in their seasonal menus.
Pumpkin spice lands at sixth with 5.6 million posts. Despite being seasonal, this iconic fall flavor creates urgency and drives engagement, with #PumpkinSpiceLatte receiving 895,000 posts alone.
Cinnamon follows closely with 5.2 million posts. This cozy fall and winter flavor has gained popularity partly due to its health benefits, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Tiramisu takes eighth place with 5.1 million uploads. This dessert-inspired coffee has surged in popularity, with Starbucks recently adding their tiramisu latte to their permanent menu.
Mocha claims ninth with 4.9 million posts. The classic combination of espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate remains a social media favorite across major coffee chains.
Maple rounds out the top ten with 4.8 million posts. This seasonal flavor creates limited-time buzz when chains like Starbucks, Tim Hortons, and Dunkin’ feature it in their fall and winter menus.
The Social Media Coffee Culture
Scott Carswell, founder of The Ice Maker Hub, notes that coffee sharing has evolved from a “millennial trend” to embrace Gen Z’s preference for unconventional flavors like strawberry and lavender. While seasonal flavors maintain their limited-time appeal, traditional long-lasting flavors actually dominate the rankings.
“Social media has undeniably become one of the biggest trendsetters for coffee culture,” Carswell observed, highlighting how Instagram popularity varies significantly among different coffee flavors.
