Best Cups for Iced Coffee and Cold Drinks (UK Buyer’s Guide)

When the weather warms up, iced coffee and cold drinks can go from side-line to best-seller in a matter of weeks. The problem is that there are suddenly dozens of cup options to choose from. The question is: what are the most common UK cold drinks served in?

If you already know what suits your cafe the best, you can jump straight to our clear rPET cold cup range. If you are still deciding between materials, sizes and lids, read on.

The Main Cup Types for Cold Drinks

Clear rPET cups are usually the most practical option for iced coffee, juices, smoothies and many cold takeaway drinks because they are rigid, highly transparent and made with recycled PET content.

They make your drinks look Instagram-ready and perfect for online promotions. Standard PET cups offer similar clarity and performance, but without the recycled-content story.

Paper cold cups can suit some operators who want a non-plastic look or more printable surface area, but they hide the drink and may not perform as well for very icy, condensation-heavy serves.

PP cups and sealing cups are more specialised, especially for bubble tea, film-sealed drinks and some delivery setups. The right cup depends on the drink, service style and hand-off.

Best Cups for Iced Coffee and Cold Brew

Why Clear rPET Works Best

Shows the drink: Iced coffee looks most appealing when customers can see the coffee-to-milk gradient, ice cubes and syrups. Clear rPET cups show that detail, while opaque cups hide it.
Handles condensation: Cold drinks will always sweat on the outside. rPET cups are rigid enough that condensation does not compromise the structure during normal use.
Feels premium: A sturdy, clear cup with a snug lid feels more substantial in the hand than a thin paper cold cup.

Typical Sizes and Lids

Iced flat whites / small iced lattes: 12–14 oz rPET cup with flat lid and straw slot.
Standard iced lattes, cold brew, iced americanos: 16 oz cup, the standard size for most UK menus.
Large iced drinks or extra-ice orders: 20 oz cup.

Flat lids with straw slots keep the profile clean for iced coffee, while domed lids are useful if you add cream or toppings.

If your customers often say iced drinks are "too cold to hold", pairing rPET cups with simple branded paper sleeves gives you the best of both worlds: visible drinks and comfortable grip.

Best Cups for Smoothies, Frappes and Milkshakes

What These Drinks Need

Enough headroom for whipped cream, sauces and toppings.
A strong cup wall that will not flex when customers squeeze or when drinks are packed for delivery.
A lid that can handle tall toppings without popping off.

Clear rPET cups with domed lids are the easiest way to meet those needs. The domed top protects cream and toppings and leaves space for decorative drizzles. For milkshakes and very thick smoothies, you will also want a wider straw or spoon-straw.

Typical Setup

12–14 oz with domed lids for children's portions and smaller frappes.
16–20 oz with domed lids for full-size smoothies, frappes and shakes.

If you sell a lot of blended drinks for delivery, it is worth testing lid fit and straw movement in real-world conditions, including bike bags and car cup holders, before committing to a large run.

Best Cups for Bubble Tea, Boba and Juices

Bubble tea and boba can sit somewhere between iced coffee and smoothies in terms of packaging needs.

Bubble Tea / Boba

If you use a sealing machine, you will need cups specifically designed for heat sealing, usually PP or a compatible plastic.
If you use snap-on lids, clear rPET cups can work well for both milk teas and fruit teas, as long as you pair them with wide boba straws and secure lids.

Film-sealed cups are excellent for delivery and busy high-street locations because they are effectively leak-proof when handled correctly. Snap-on lids are simpler operationally but rely more on staff fitting them properly.

Fresh Juices

Fresh juices and juice blends benefit from the same clarity as iced coffee. Clear rPET cups let the colours sell the drink, particularly orange, green and layered juices, while coping well with condensation from chillers and ice.

Where you have self-serve or pre-bottled juice, tamper-evident lids or film seals can add reassurance, especially in offices and school settings.

Quick Decision Table: Which Cups for Which Drinks?

Drink Type	Recommended Cup Type	Lid Type	Why It Works Best
Iced flat white / small iced latte	12–14 oz clear rPET	Flat lid with straw slot	Shows layers, feels sturdy and offers a good portion size.
Standard iced latte / cold brew	16 oz clear rPET	Flat lid with straw slot	Go-to size for most UK menus; strong, clear and recyclable.
Large iced latte / extra-ice	20 oz clear rPET	Flat lid with straw slot	Extra capacity without changing cup style.
Iced mocha / drinks with cream	16–20 oz clear rPET	Domed lid	Space for cream and toppings without spills.
Thick smoothie / frappe	16–20 oz clear rPET	Domed lid + wide straw	Handles thickness and toppings while keeping visual impact.
Milkshake (takeaway or delivery)	16–20 oz clear rPET	Domed lid or secure flat lid	Strong wall, good seal and works well in carriers.
Fruit juice / juice blends	12–16 oz clear rPET	Flat lid or tamper-evident lid	Colour sells the drink and handles condensation well.
Bubble tea with sealing machine	PP sealing cups	Film seal	Designed for heat sealing with excellent leak resistance.
Bubble tea with snap-on lid	16–20 oz clear rPET	Snap-on flat or domed lid + boba straw	Clear for pearls and layers while remaining simple to run.
Soft drinks / iced tea	12–20 oz clear rPET	Flat lid with straw slot	Flexible across sizes and easy for staff to standardise.

You do not need a different cup for every drink on your menu. For most UK cafés and takeaway operators, a small family of clear rPET cups, typically 12/14, 16 and 20 oz, plus matching flat and domed lids, will cover iced coffees, cold brews, smoothies, juices and many bubble teas.

That keeps ordering and storage simple while giving customers a consistent, premium feel across your cold range.

Explore our clear rPET cold cup range to see exact sizes and lid options, or speak to our team about building a cold-drink packaging setup that works for your menu, your waste streams and your customers' expectations.