Beverage trends may come and go, but one fact remains the same — Americans love their coffee. Prior to National Coffee Day in the United States – 29 September – the National Coffee Association released its 2026 National Coffee Data Trends (NCDT) Fall Report, which revealed that overall past-day consumption is steady at 66% of American adults, signalling that coffee remains America’s favourite beverage. The Fall 2026 NCDT report also found that out-of-home coffee consumption is nearing pre-pandemic levels, and past-day specialty coffee consumption hit 48% — a record high. 

The report finds that coffee is consumed by more adults each day than any other beverage, including tap or bottled water (64%), soda (43%) and tea (42%). According to the report, Americans average 2.6 cups of coffee per day, which comes to about 454 million cups of coffee drunk per day. The vast majority of past-day coffee drinkers (83%) have coffee at home, while out-of-home consumption among past-day coffee drinkers reached 38% in the survey, which has been the highest level since January 2020. 

More American adults now drink specialty coffee than traditional coffee — 48% had specialty coffee in the past day, a new record. Espresso-based beverages such as lattes, cappuccinos, and caffè mochas play a key role in specialty coffee’s rising popularity, and a record-high of 47% of American adults had an espresso-based beverage in the past week, up by 17.5% since 2022.  

Commenting on the findings, NCA president and CEO Bill Murray said, “Few things are as deeply woven into American life as coffee, and these numbers show our love for coffee is only growing stronger and more diverse. Whether it’s brewed at home, ordered at a drive-thru, or enjoyed in a favourite espresso-based drink, coffee continues to evolve while remaining an essential part of millions of Americans’ daily routines.”  

Other key NCDT findings include:  

• Coffee consumption remains the highest at breakfast (84%) followed by the morning (35%). Lunch and the afternoon are both 18%, while evening consumption is higher (10%) than dinner (8%). 

• 55% of past-week out-of-home coffee buyers ordered at a drive-thru, and a record high of 40% ordered on an app.  

• Grocery stores remain the leading channel for coffee purchases for in-home preparation, although their share declined to 35% from 42% in January 2026. Purchases at mass merchandisers increased to 28% from 23% in January 2026. 

• As expected for the summer survey, cold coffee consumption is up among past-day coffee drinkers: 21% of past-day coffee drinkers had cold coffee, compared to 71% who had hot coffee (17% had cold coffee and 78% had hot coffee in the January 2026 survey). Overall, cold coffee consumption is up from 16% in 2022. 

The Fall NCDT Report is released more Americans, particularly younger ones are drinking less carbonated beverages and opting for healthier ones, of which studies continue to show that coffee is. The coffee sector remains innovative offering a variety of options to consumers from decaf to ‘half caff’, to higher caffeine, to protein and functional ingredient-enhanced, to expanding flavour options (e.g., we are in pumpkin spice season but next month coffee shops and retailers will transition to the holiday offerings such as peppermint mochas and gingerbread lattes). 

While we are still celebrating International Coffee Day, enjoy your java! 

• Vanessa L Facenda is editor of Tea & Coffee Trade Journal. She may be reached at: [email protected].