Introduction:The watermelon and coconut cold brew launched in a collaboration between Luckin Coffee and Loopy has sparked widespread discussion. Its pinkish appearance and rich fruity aroma have caught the public’s eye, but some consumers have noted that the coffee flavor is weak—some even saying it tastes like spoiled watermelon juice. This article provides a hands-on analysis of this new cold brew product, examining its flavor profile, preparation process, and taste experience to help you understand its strengths, weaknesses, and real-world performance.
Luckin Coffee’s new collaboration with the popular internet meme character Loopy—the giant watermelon and coconut cold brew—officially launched on Monday, along with a series of themed merchandise. This pink-toned cold brew drink quickly attracted a rush of Loopy fans upon release. However, some customers only discovered upon arrival that they would have to wait up to 18 minutes for their order, as the key cold brew coffee base needs to be freshly prepared.
According to store staff, the preparation of the watermelon and coconut cold brew itself is not complicated—it simply involves mixing ingredients in the correct proportions, which can be done in just a few minutes if all components are available. However, if the store runs out of pre-made cold brew coffee base, baristas must brew it on-site by steeping coffee grounds for 18 minutes to extract enough liquid for the drink. As per Luckin’s policy, cold brew base can only be made and used on the same day. As a result, many stores begin preparing the base early in the morning, but demand often outpaces supply, leading some customers to face long waits.
Even after waiting, many customers were left unimpressed after their first sip. In initial taste tests, numerous reviewers pointed out that the watermelon and coconut flavors were extremely prominent, resulting in a sweet and thick mouthfeel—but the presence of the cold brew coffee was barely noticeable. Some described it as “hardly tasting like coffee at all,” or outright saying it “tasted like watermelon rind or almost spoiled watermelon juice.”
Some customers waiting in line revealed that had they not seen the barista pour freshly extracted coffee into their cup with their own eyes, they might have assumed they were getting a watermelon-flavored milk tea rather than a coffee-based drink.
Additionally, some reviews mentioned that the drink carried an off-putting smell reminiscent of stale watermelon, further detracting from the overall flavor experience.
This is not the first time Luckin’s cold brew series has faced criticism for lacking strong coffee flavor. When the cold brew products were first introduced last year, some consumers reported that insufficient steeping times led to weak coffee taste. Even with adjustments to the production method this time, some users still feel it’s normal for the coffee flavor to be completely masked when mixed with such intense fruit juices.
Based on our hands-on testing and market feedback, the highlight of this watermelon and coconut cold brew is its bold fruit flavors, making it especially appealing to those who prefer refreshing and sweet taste profiles. However, if you’re expecting a cold brew where the coffee is the dominant note, this one might disappoint. It’s recommended to assess your own flavor preferences before ordering—or consider other cold brew options where the coffee flavor is more pronounced.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
