Introduction:When Luckin Coffee launched its strawberry-themed collaboration products with 《Zootopia 2》, including the "Crazy Strawberry Iced Tea" and "Daily Vitamin C Fruit & Vegetable Tea", it introduced an "iced-free" option in the ordering interface for the first time. This move addressed long-standing customer complaints about drinks being “half ice.” However, many customers soon noticed that drinks without ice tasted weaker, sparking widespread discussion. This article delves into how the iced-free option actually works, the rules for replenishing ingredients, and why some beverages become less flavorful without ice. It also offers ordering and communication tips to help coffee enthusiasts enjoy a better drink experience.
With the upcoming release of the movie 《Zootopia 2》, Luckin Coffee has launched a series of strawberry-themed collaboration products, such as the "Crazy Strawberry Iced Tea" and "Daily Vitamin C Fruit & Vegetable Tea", which have attracted significant attention from fans. However, more than the collaboration itself, many consumers were pleasantly surprised by the quietly added "iced-free" option in the ordering system. In the past, Luckin was often jokingly called the "Kingdom of Ice" due to its high proportion of ice in drinks. Many customers even got used to adding notes like "less ice" or even specifying exact numbers like "only three ice cubes." Now, with the official introduction of the "iced-free" choice, many feel reassured.
However, shortly after the iced-free option went live, some customers quickly noticed that drinks without ice seemed to taste more diluted, especially the strawberry iced tea. Some reviews described it as tasting like "strawberry jam mixed with plain water." Why does removing ice affect the flavor of a drink? It turns out that Luckin’s standard drink-making process usually involves adding all the ingredients to the cup first, and then topping it off with a large amount of ice. This means that when a customer chooses the iced-free option, the space that would have been occupied by ice is left empty. Unless extra ingredients are added, the overall intensity and richness of the drink naturally decrease.
In response to customer inquiries, an insider from Luckin revealed that for iced-free drinks, additional ingredients are indeed added based on each drink’s “main ingredient,” but this varies by product. For example, for milk-based drinks like lattes, Luckin typically adds more milk or coconut milk to maintain both taste and volume when ice is removed. For fruit and vegetable teas, more tea base is usually added to fill the space left by the missing ice. However, the main base of the strawberry iced tea is actually water. Therefore, when ice is removed, the only way to “fill up” the cup is by adding more plain drinking water, which results in a diluted flavor and a much weaker taste.
In addition, some customers reported that even though they selected the iced-free option, their drinks still arrived with a significant amount of ice. Store staff explained that although the system now includes an "iced-free" label, during peak hours, some employees may be too busy or not yet fully accustomed to the new option, causing them to overlook the tag and add ice out of habit. Therefore, if you receive a drink that you explicitly ordered as iced-free but still contains ice, it is recommended that you immediately inform the staff and request a remake to ensure your drink meets your expectations.
It is worth noting that while the iced-free option provides more flexible ordering choices, not all drinks are suitable for being served without ice—especially those with strong flavors or those that rely on ice to bring out layered taste profiles. For customers who prefer a refreshing drink but don’t want it to be overly bland, choosing "less ice" and clearly specifying the desired amount in the notes—such as “three-quarters full with ice” or “only three ice cubes”—can help achieve a more balanced result.
In summary, Luckin’s addition of the iced-free option is a step in responding to market feedback. Although there is still room for improvement in execution, it is undoubtedly a major advancement for customers who wish to reduce ice content or adjust the concentration of their drinks. It is recommended that when placing an order, customers not only choose the iced-free option but also consider the type of drink and its main ingredients, and communicate proactively with staff when necessary to ensure the final coffee or tea meets their expectations. At the same time,if you receive an iced-free drink that still contains ice, you should immediately provide feedback and request a remake to protect your rights..
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
