As autumn returns, cafés shift gears, and customers crave comfort. Blankets appear on chairs, warm lighting replaces the summer glow, and menus begin to promise something more indulgent. For operators, the change in season is more than décor, it’s an opportunity to reconnect with regulars and inspire new visitors. At MONIN, we see this moment as a flavour opportunity.
Today’s café customer wants more than caffeine, they want a sensory experience. Flavours that feel nostalgic. Serves that feel crafted. This year, we’re seeing a return to emotional flavours that help cafés differentiate while delivering comfort in every cup.
Autumn menus are built on comfort – and flavour leads the way
This season, cafés are leaning into emotional flavours that deliver comfort, familiarity and visual appeal. Vanilla, caramel, and cherry continue to lead, while options like matcha and spiced profiles are rising among younger drinkers seeking variety and ritual. In fact, matcha-based drinks have seen a +38% year-on-year growth across UK premium café menus, ready for autumn 2025.¹
Salted Caramel offers richness with a grown-up twist. Layer it with MONIN Vanilla and you get a serve that feels premium, familiar and adaptable. Take the Golden Caramel Iced Latte – an indulgence that bridges late-summer warmth with autumnal appeal. These drinks don’t just taste indulgent, they look it too. Visually layered drinks see 28% higher sales in Q4 compared to flat alternatives, especially when featured on social media or signage.²
Cherry is this year’s surprise hero. It taps into iconic desserts like Black Forest cake or Bakewell Tart, adding a vibrant twist to signature drinks. Think Cherry Bakewell Hot Chocolate – colourful, comforting, and creative without complication. It stands out on menus without pushing boundaries too far, making it perfect for operators balancing creativity with consistency. It’s a timely fit too, with 43% of café customers now prioritising nostalgic flavours like cherry, vanilla, and caramel over novelty trends during autumn.³
Vanilla plays a foundational role. Far from plain, it smooths and enhances seasonal serves – from spiced lattes to custom recipes. It’s the backbone of flavour layering and still a top pick for customers seeking simple luxury. In fact, 1 in 3 consumers now view café drinks as a small moment of joy in their weekly routine, making comforting, quality-led flavours more commercially relevant than ever.⁴
“We hear from operators every week – they want drinks that are easy to deliver but still earn their place on a premium menu,” says Lee Hyde, MONIN UK&I Beverage Expert. “That’s exactly where these flavours shine – they feel new, but they’re rooted in familiarity.”
Autumn is more than just a season, it’s a strategic reset for cafés. With 60% of UK coffee drinkers actively looking for new flavours when the weather turns colder, this moment is primed for menu refresh.⁵
MONIN’s flavour range helps operators deliver just that: dependable innovation, seasonal relevance, and the kind of experience customers come back for.
There’s MONIN For That!
For more trends, recipes, and social media assets, visit the MONIN Resource Hub.
¹ KAM Media Menu Trends Tracker, Autumn 2025
² Lumina Intelligence Menu Performance Study, 2023–2024
³ KAM Media Café Trends Pulse, Q3 2024
⁴ Allegra World Coffee Portal, 2025 UK Café Report
⁵ Allegra Strategies, Autumn Coffee Consumer Tracker 2024
