There’s a silent revolution happening in kitchens across the country. It’s not just about brewing better coffee. It’s about flipping the script on what coffee can be. The buzzwords of 2025? Funky. Frothy. Infused. Unexpected. And best of all? Every trend can be recreated at home with nothing but a bag of air-roasted coffee and a little curiosity.
You don’t need to be a barista or own a thousand-dollar machine. You just need a willingness to experiment — and the right base coffee to make it sing. Let’s explore five of the most underrated trends you’ll actually want to sip.
1. Coffee Lemonade: The Rebel Combo That Works
Sounds wrong. Tastes genius.
Coffee lemonade is the lovechild of rich, chocolatey cold brew and bright, citrusy lemonade. At first sip, it hits like a contradiction: tart, sweet, and smooth all at once. But by the second? You’re hooked.
Here’s why it works: lemonade pulls hidden fruit notes out of your coffee. When brewed with air-roasted beans, those notes come alive. You’re not just drinking coffee. You’re tasting blueberry, honey, citrus — without any added flavoring.
To make it:
-Brew a strong batch of cold brew with coarse grounds (steep overnight in the fridge).
-Mix 1 part cold brew with 1 part fresh lemonade.
-Add ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.
You just made the ultimate summer drink. No cream, no sugar, no regrets.
Try it with: Blueberry Creme
Want to level it up? Try swapping lemonade for sparkling lemon soda or adding a sprig of mint for a refreshing herbal kick. It’s an endlessly customizable drink, and once you try it, it’s hard to go back.
2. Mushroom Coffee: Focus Without the Freak-Out
Mushroom coffee had its viral moment a few years ago. But in 2025, it’s quietly going mainstream. The difference? People are finally figuring out how to do it right.
The premise: add ground medicinal mushrooms (like lion’s mane, chaga, or reishi) to your coffee for a smooth, jitter-free focus boost. What makes it pop is pairing those earthy flavors with a clean, balanced base. Air-roasted coffee is ideal here — it doesn’t come with bitter overtones that clash with the mushrooms.
What you’ll taste: subtle nuttiness, mellow sweetness, and a grounding earth tone that feels more like sipping tea than gulping espresso. The energy curve is steady. No spike, no crash.
To make it:
-Add a half teaspoon of mushroom powder to your grounds before brewing.
-Brew as normal.
-Optional: blend with a touch of oat milk or cinnamon for depth.
Make it shine with: Classic Espresso
Mushroom coffee isn't about taste alone — it's about how you feel afterward. Calm, centered, and dialed in. It’s a game-changer for anyone tired of the caffeine crash.
3. Coffee Tonic: Your 10AM Cocktail Alternative
Fizzy, bitter, sweet, and bracing — coffee tonics are the espresso spritz you didn’t know you needed.
Made by pouring espresso over tonic water and ice, the result is bright and complex. The bubbles cut through the coffee’s density, while the tonic highlights floral and citrus notes you’d never notice otherwise.
This one lives or dies by bean quality. If your espresso is burnt or bitter, you’ll get a mouthful of metallic. But with air-roasted espresso, you get nuance. You taste the layers. That’s when it sings.
To make it:
-Fill a glass with ice and pour in 4 ounces of tonic water.
-Slowly pour a shot of fresh espresso over the top.
-Add an orange twist or sprig of rosemary if you’re feeling fancy.
One sip and you’ll be swapping out your mimosa brunch for something bolder.
Best with: CharlieStrong Blend
Coffee tonic might seem like a novelty, but it’s secretly one of the most refreshing ways to enjoy espresso. The carbonation lightens everything, creating a drink that feels sophisticated without being fussy. For a happy hour twist, try mixing in a splash of grapefruit juice or a few drops of aromatic bitters.
4. Iced Coffee with Salt: The Bitterness Hack That’s Pure Magic
If you’ve ever taken a sip of iced coffee and winced, this is your fix.
Salt is the unsung hero of 2025 coffee hacks. A tiny pinch added to your grounds before brewing balances bitterness and brings forward the bean’s natural sweetness. You’re not tasting salt. You’re tasting clarity.
This hack is especially powerful with air-roasted coffee, which is already smoother than drum-roasted beans. Salt simply enhances what’s already there — the chocolate, the caramel, the silk.
To make it:
-Add a pinch of salt to your coffee grounds before brewing.
-Brew hot or cold.
-Chill over ice. No milk needed.
Try this with: Breakfast Blend for a bold, full-flavored brew that tastes perfectly balanced.
Still skeptical? Try a side-by-side taste test — one cup with salt, one without. You’ll be stunned at how much smoother and sweeter your coffee becomes, no sugar necessary. Bonus: this trick works especially well for cold brew or any iced drink that might otherwise taste harsh when chilled.
5. Spiced Coffee: A Global Twist on Your Morning Routine
Cinnamon. Cardamom. Star anise. Nutmeg.
Spiced coffee isn’t new, but it’s underused — and 2025 is the year it gets its spotlight. Adding warm spices to your grounds or brew can completely transform the experience. You’re not just waking up. You’re traveling.
Spices work especially well with air-roasted coffee because there’s no harsh roast flavor to overpower the additions. Instead, the smooth base lets the spice notes dance.
To make it:
-Mix your favorite spice (start with cardamom or cinnamon) into the grounds before brewing.
-Or simmer brewed coffee with a cinnamon stick and strain.
-Optional: top with steamed milk or a dusting of nutmeg.
This one’s perfect for cooler mornings or a meditative mid-afternoon cup.
Pair it with: Celebes Kalossi for rich, earthy depth that plays beautifully with spice.
Want something exotic? Add a pinch of cayenne or black pepper to your brew. Or go full Turkish-style with cardamom, clove, and a sugar cube. Spiced coffee opens the door to culture and comfort — all in one mug.
Why These Trends Work Better With Air-Roasted Coffee
None of these trends would land the same with traditional coffee. Drum-roasted beans tend to carry bitter, smoky flavors that bulldoze nuance. They fight the lemonade. They overpower the spice. They clash with the mushrooms.
Air-roasting is different.
By roasting beans on a bed of hot air instead of scorching metal, you get even heat, clean flavor, and zero bitterness. That’s the secret sauce. It lets the citrus shine. The cocoa hum. The honey bloom. If coffee is a canvas, air-roasting hands you a clean one.
These trends work because air-roasted coffee gives them space to shine. It’s the kind of coffee that doesn’t need sugar, doesn’t need cream, and doesn’t need apologies. It simply tastes like what coffee should taste like — rich, alive, and full of character.
So don’t just drink coffee. Play with it. Remix it. Reimagine what it can be.
Ready to reinvent your coffee game? Explore our full lineup of air-roasted blends here and find your next favorite trend.
All images shown in this blog are sourced from pexels.com.