Would you believe a café in Bandra ditched hot coffee for Gen Z’s cold brew craze?
DRNK is betting on viral drinks and iced brews to keep the crowds coming...while Vanilla Miel is going for caramel and cocoa notes.
From a student who procrastinated a little too much to turn that assignment in, to a corporate employee working the late-night shift to meet that deadline, a cup of coffee has been the last-minute saviour for centuries now. Fast forward to now, the whiff of freshly brewed coffee in India is no longer just about a hurried caffeine kick—it’s about indulgence, personality, and even Instagram-worthy allure.
From sleek speciality cafés to viral concoctions that trend faster than you can say “double shot espresso”, the Indian coffee scene is evolving at a rapid pace. It’s not merely a beverage anymore. It's now a personality trait for all of us coffee addicts who can't go a day without our hazelnut lattes and caramel frappes.
“Let’s be honest—an Americano has always been functional,” says Raj Thakkar of DRNK, a complete coffee magnet in Mumbai's Bandra locale that has iced out everything but cold brews. For him, the old-school cup was never about taste but about purpose: a quick jolt of energy. Today, however, the new generation demands more. “If I’m getting something, why not the best? Our generation wants double-shot espressos, iced coffees, and experiences that reflect freedom of choice,” he explains.
Thakkar points out that iced coffee is fast becoming the order of the day. “In India, why spend ₹300 on hot coffee when you can make it at home? But with iced coffees, the difference is unmistakable. The flavour is sharper, more distinct, and people are willing to step out for that.” With global influence seeping in—he notes that over 70 per cent of American Gen Zs now prefer iced beverages, and India’s younger crowd is quickly aligning with this trend.
For co-founder Aryan Gandhi, the DRNK journey was about more than coffee—it was about creating a culture. At just 17, Gandhi was blending protein smoothies in his living room before scaling up to pop-ups across seven cities. What stuck with him, though, was a trip abroad. “Dutch Bros showed me how a café could be more than a menu—it could be a community. Six people from one family walked in, ordered six different drinks, and loved every sip. That inclusivity, that vibe, is what I wanted for DRNK,” he shares.
The philosophy translated into a space where experimentation is encouraged, from tiramisu coffee to matcha lattes, all made with meticulously sourced beans and alternative milks. Their viral tiramisu coffee is a case in point: a drink that wasn’t just delicious, but sensorial. “It touched every emotion—taste, smell, the look online, the warm vibe. Good-looking coffee gets attention, but taste is non-negotiable,” Gandhi insists.
Experimentation is the new tradition
This wave of innovation isn’t limited to DRNK. Across the city, cafés are rethinking what coffee can be. “The Indian consumer is definitely more experimental and far more educated now,” says Mansi Shetty Bafna of Vanilla Miel, a patisserie and café. “People are moving away from instant coffees and seeking out speciality roasts with nuanced profiles. We’ve even developed our own signature roast with cocoa and caramel notes to complement our dessert-forward identity.”
Bafna also observes a strong shift towards alternative milks—almond, oat, soy—driven not by intolerance but by lifestyle choices. “Nearly 50 per cent of our sales come from plant-based milks. It’s a conscious move towards healthier, cleaner living,” she explains.
It’s more than a caffeine fix!
From celebrity sightings to cafés doubling as cultural hotspots, coffee culture is no longer about grabbing a quick latte. It’s about curated experiences—spaces that feel alive, beverages that carry personality, and flavours that resonate with a consumer base that values individuality. As Gandhi puts it, “There’s no fixed formula for the modern café. It’s about vibe, location, people, and most importantly, what feels right.”
India’s coffee scene today mirrors fashion itself—dynamic, layered, and unapologetically expressive. And much like a great outfit, the right cup of coffee isn’t just sipped, it’s experienced.
Lead image: Getty Images
Also read: The week Mumbai became the hottest spot for fashion and beauty