Introduction:The sudden removal of Luckin Coffee’s popular fruit coffee drink, ‘Apple C Americano,’ has sparked strong reactions from fans. This seasonal beverage, which achieved an average daily sales of 100 cups per store since its launch in October last year, is officially leaving the market due to supply chain issues with apple concentrate. This article delves into key information from the official response, uncovers the real reasons behind the ‘seasonal limited’ label, and provides three at-home alternative recipes recommended by professional roasters. It also explores how the potential return of the Sakura Latte might lead to adjustments in the menu strategy.
The Chinese coffee chain brand Luckin recently announced on its official social media platforms that it will gradually discontinue the best-selling drink ‘Apple C Americano’ across all stores nationwide. This decision immediately triggered intense discussions among consumers. Launched in late October 2023 as part of the new fruit coffee series, this drink quickly became one of the top five best-selling beverages in first-tier city stores such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen within just three weeks, thanks to its unique balance of sweet and sour flavors and refreshing fruity aroma.
Notably, the removal announcement specifically emphasized “this time it’s really goodbye,” making a clear distinction from the short-term out-of-stock situation that occurred in mid-January this year. According to information from multiple store managers, current inventory materials can only support the production of the final batch, and once the existing apple concentrate is used up, supply will no longer be available. Meanwhile, the ‘Apple C Fruit Tea,’ which uses the same juice ingredient, will also be discontinued simultaneously.
From a product specification analysis, the Apple C Americano uses a cold brew coffee base mixed with a specific ratio of freshly squeezed apple juice and lemon juice, with its pH value controlled within the range of 3.8–4.2 to maintain optimal flavor performance. This special formulation allows the drink to retain the rich base of coffee while featuring a distinct fruity aroma layer, making it a favorite choice for many office workers looking for an afternoon pick-me-up. Industry insiders point out that the supply instability of seasonal fruit ingredients is a common challenge for limited-time drinks.
Although the brand attributes the discontinuation to the ‘seasonal limited nature’ of the product, market observers have noticed an interesting phenomenon: next week marks the routine return of Luckin’s annual highlight, the ‘Spring Limited Sakura-Themed Drinks.’ The timing coincidence has led to speculation that the menu adjustment may be paving the way for the new products. However, the official has not confirmed this claim, reiterating only that all decisions are based on the actual status of ingredient supply.
For consumers who are accustomed to drinking this drink daily, professional baristas recommend trying to create a similar-flavored homemade version. The basic recipe includes: a hot Americano made from medium-light roasted coffee beans (recommended coffee-to-water ratio 1:15), freshly squeezed green apple juice (add 30 ml per 200 ml of coffee), and a small amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3–5 drops), then add ice cubes to adjust to a suitable drinking temperature.
Actual interviews found that some consumers have turned to KFC’s ‘Apple Sparkling Americano’ as an alternative. Although this ready-made drink uses a different production process—mainly carbonated water mixed with apple juice and coffee-flavored syrup—it is priced at only 60% of the original Luckin price and has higher nationwide store coverage. Beverage experts remind that there is an inherent difference in flavor profiles between commercial products and freshly made drinks, and suggest choosing based on personal preference.
From an industry perspective, Luckin’s seasonal product strategy in recent years shows a clear three-stage characteristic of ‘test–optimize–permanent.’ Data shows that up to 42% of past spring-limited drinks eventually became regular menu items, but the Apple C series, due to the specificity of its ingredients, may be difficult to replicate. For fans hoping for the return of the product, it is recommended to closely follow official seasonal activity announcements, especially around the autumn new product release cycle in October each year.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
