Nestlé‘s Nespresso launches first ready-to-drink coffee in US
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Nestlé's Nespresso is moving from its signature coffee brewer to the can with its first ready-to-drink product.
The Master Origins Colombia Ready to Drink Coffee is part of a pilot program for the Nespresso platform found in millions of homes, hotels and offices around the world. The limited-edition beverage, which is only available in the U.S., is made with coffee beans and sweetened with honey from Colombia.
“As on-the-go coffee demand continues to grow in the US, we saw the opportunity to reimagine how Nespresso can elevate coffee moments for today’s consumer,” Alfonso Gonzalez Loeschen, CEO of Nespresso North America, said in a statement. “This RTD sits at the intersection of functionality and sustainability as a byproduct of our commitment to regenerative agriculture efforts to protect the future of coffee.”
The beverage will be available in select Nespresso Boutiques, online or in the mobile app, starting October 2.
Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages, with consumption at a 20-year high.
The National Coffee Association said last week that while the home remains the most popular place to consume the beverage, many people drink it in multiple locations. The trade group found that ready-to-drink is the third most popular way to prepare coffee (18%), with consumption more than doubling since last year.
Global revenue of ready-to-drink coffee is estimated at $36 billion in 2024 and is forecast to post a compound annual growth rate of 5.4% through 2028, according to Statista.
Nespresso was created by Nestlé in 1986 before debuting in the U.S. four years later, differentiating itself through its premium beverages and customer service. The brand thrived during the pandemic as consumers spent more time at home making their coffee and exhibiting a growing interest in specialty brews.
But increasingly consumers are on the go and looking for portable options they can bring with them. Nespresso’s roots are always likely to remain tied to its brewing platform, but its ready-to-drink launch shows the brand is looking for new ways to connect with today’s coffee drinkers.
Despite inflation and other challenges impacting the food and beverage space, Nespresso continues to perform well for Nestlé.
Last year, Nespresso posted double-digit growth in North America and grabbed market share from its competitors, with the momentum continuing into 2024. For the first half of this year, sales growth in the region eased to mid-single-digits and continued snatching business from other coffee brands.
The ready-to-drink coffee is the latest first for the nearly 40-year-old brand.
In August, Nespresso moved beyond coffee with the launch of honey sold under its Nespresso Bloom line. The product is made by the same bees that pollinate coffee plants in Colombia where Nespresso gets some of its beans.
The honey allows the brand to double down on sustainability by incorporating more regenerative agriculture practices into its business. This coffee and honey was also used to create the Master Origins Colombia Ready to Drink Coffee.