Introduction:Luckin Coffee frequently launches new products, and many consumers follow the “New Arrivals” tag to keep up with the latest offerings. However, recently some netizens discovered that a drink labeled as “Luckin Pistachio Coconut Water,” which appeared to be a refreshing beverage, was actually a self-made creation by an employee—not an official new product. Such incidents have become increasingly common, leading to customer disappointment when they visit stores only to find the item unavailable, as well as increasing risks for employees who violate in-store regulations.
Luckin Coffee continues to roll out new drinks at a rapid pace, prompting many coffee enthusiasts to regularly check the “New Arrivals” tag in hopes of staying ahead of market trends. Recently, however, one netizen spotted a drink on social media called “Luckin Pistachio Coconut Water.” It featured a pistachio matcha foam topping over clear coconut water, showcasing an eye-catching gradient green that at first glance looked like an intricately designed official product.
Eager to try it, the consumer went to the official ordering platform only to find that the product wasn’t listed on the menu. The original poster later clarified that the drink was actually a creative beverage mixed by an internal Luckin employee, not an officially released item. This is not an isolated case—similar posts about “fake new products” frequently circulate on social media, often generating significant buzz and discussion, only to be confirmed as unavailable both in physical stores and online platforms.
When customers realize they’ve been misled by the “New Arrivals” tag, their initial excitement about trying something new quickly turns to disappointment and even frustration. Some netizens have pointed out that while employee-made drinks can serve as a fun personal project or creative outlet, labeling them as “Luckin New Products” can easily mislead the public into thinking they are official offerings or part of a hidden menu.
In fact, many employee-created drinks, due to their attractive appearance and refreshing color schemes, have sparked lively discussions online. Some netizens have even suggested that the R&D team take inspiration from these creations, which could potentially become ideas for future seasonal products. However, these beverages are limited to personal preparation by staff, have not undergone official review or been added to the menu, and should not be advertised as new products.
According to Luckin’s strict production standards, all beverages sold must be prepared according to standardized recipes—even for personal use, employees are expected to follow the same procedures. While some stores adopt a more lenient attitude toward small-scale personal brewing by employees, if non-standard drinks are captured on surveillance cameras at the counter, it could not only lead to disciplinary issues for the individual but also impact overall store operations.
As a result, when these self-made drinks are labeled as “Luckin New Products” and widely shared on social platforms, they often prompt customers to inquire about or request them in-store, creating operational challenges. If staff are unable to provide the requested items, they may face customer complaints, negative reviews, and potential customer service issues.
For consumers, it is recommended that when seeing posts labeled as “new products,” they first verify whether the source is official or check the latest menu directly through the Luckin official app or mini-program to avoid a wasted trip. For employees, while self-created drinks can showcase personal style, caution should be exercised when publicly sharing them to avoid misleading others or causing unnecessary trouble.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.