Interesting Facts About Cold Drink Cups

How to find the right drinking vessel for your offer

Whether it is a champagne flute, beer mug or a water glass: the person who serves the drink at the table will choose the right glass according to the type of drink. But what about the takeaway business? We will show you the difference between different cold drink cups, what role the ambience plays in the choice and more.

Safely packed thanks to plastic: the material

One material should not be missing in a cold beverage cup: plastic. It ensures that you pour your drink in secure packaging. On the one hand, safe means that the material is suitable for liquids. On the other hand, plastic can also ensure that your tableware is intact, and compared to glass, the shards will hurt no one. The cardboard cups are also filled with plastic so that the fibers do not get soggy. This coating adheres inside and out, as condensation will form on the outside of the cup in cold drinks, and the cardboard must also be protected. Disposable cups can also guarantee high hygiene standards regardless of the material because one consumer only uses them.

The materials of cold beverage cups in detail

Plastic

• Polystyrene (PS)
  • Crystal clear: high-quality optics reminiscent of glass
  • Stable
• Polypropylene (PP)
  • Transparent: slightly milkier than PS
  • Economical
• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
  • High resistance to cracks
  • Very good recycling properties

Cardboard

• Made of virgin fiber board: renewable raw material and food-safe
• Variable in design, as it is easy to print
• PE coating as protection against soaking

Smoothie, sparkling wine or soda? The right cup for every drink

In addition to the material, the shape and design of the cup are also different. Of course, the most obvious feature is the size: from a small 40 ml schnapps glass to a large beer or soda glass that can hold half a liter of drink. You also have the choice when it comes to the shape of the packaging.

The cylindrical glass cup is a true classic; whether it is cardboard or transparent plastic used to hold a variety of soft drinks, such as cold coffee, mixed milk or milkshakes, beverages are excellent. If the container is made with one foot, it is suitable for sparkling wine, champagne or wine, while the narrow and tall glass is suitable for long drinks.

When serving itself, it is crucial whether the cup has a calibration mark. It shows your thirsty guests the exact amount and helps you take the dose. In mixing cocktails, long drink glasses are particularly useful in this regard: in addition to the 0.3-litre filling line, it also offers 0.02 and 0.04-litre marks. If you are serving beer, a glass with a greater distance between the calibration line and the top edge is an advantage: there is enough space for the foam crown.

From champagne receptions to football stadiums: harmonious packaging

In the catering period, use paper cups to fill the fine champagne, or use silver-rim champagne glasses to fill the ice wine at the street vendors? A cold drink cup that matches the content, occasion, and location is also important. After all, the high-quality tableware reminiscent of glasses looks unusual in a snack bar, while in the elegant standing reception, it blends into the atmosphere perfectly.

Serving skillfully: thinking about accessories.

Use suitable accessories for your cold drink cup to complete your packaging. Especially if you sell “to go” drinks, you can use the lid to provide extra protection during transportation. With a flat lid, you can fall back on the classic variant, with which you can also stack your cups.

For clear cups, you can also choose to use a dome cover. It provides a beautiful appearance and leaves room for cream, such as iced coffee.

No matter which version you choose: it is important to have a hole or cross slot in the lid so that your customers can drink through a straw. These are hard or flexible and have a small spoon on the side; you can use it to enjoy the cream, milk foam or fruit in the cocktail. Depending on where you serve drinks, multi-cup transport aid is also an additional service through which you can score points with customers.

Read our blog on Sustainability in the company – in 4 steps to the green corporate strategy