Quick answer: Most coffee shops stock two or three cold cup sizes, usually 16 and 20 oz, plus 12 oz for kids and small drinks or 24 oz for large iced coffees and teas. Many PET cold cups share a 98 mm rim from 12 to 24 oz, so one flat lid and one dome lid can cover your whole iced menu. Write iced recipes for the drink volume after ice, and choose PET or PP cups based on clarity, recyclability in your area and cost.
Key takeaways
- 16 and 20 oz are the core iced sizes for most cafés.
- One 98 mm lid often fits 12–24 oz PET cups.
- Ice takes up space; recipes should account for it.
- Fewer sizes and lids = simpler stock and fewer mistakes.
Why cold cups need their own plan
Iced drinks keep growing. NCA's fall 2026 data show 21% of past-day coffee drinkers had a cold coffee, up from 16% in 2022, and in many cafés iced drinks dominate spring and summer sales. Cold cups also run larger than hot cups because ice takes up room, so the size mix and lid choices are different from your hot lineup. For hot cups, see our coffee cup sizes guide.
The common sizes
| Size | Typical use | Liquid after ice (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 oz | Kids' drinks, small iced espresso, samples for events | ~6–8 oz |
| 16 oz | Standard iced latte, iced coffee, cold brew | ~8–11 oz |
| 20 oz | Large iced drinks, iced tea, cold foam drinks | ~11–14 oz |
| 24 oz | Extra-large iced coffee and tea, blended drinks | ~14–17 oz |
Liquid volumes are rough and depend on ice shape and how full you fill the cup.
Lids: the hidden simplifier
Many PET cold cup lines use a common rim across several sizes. Lollicup, for example, specifies that its 98 mm PET flat lid fits its 12, 16, 20 and 24 oz PET cold cups. That means one flat lid and one dome lid can cover four cup sizes.
| Lid type | Best for |
|---|---|
| Flat lid with straw slot | Iced coffee, iced tea, lattes |
| Sip lid (strawless) | Cold foam drinks, iced lattes |
| Dome lid | Whipped cream, blended drinks |
| Dome lid without hole | Toppings that need space, to-go orders |
Always test lids on the exact cups you buy; even small rim differences cause leaks. See our lid fit troubleshooting guide.
PET vs. PP
| PET (#1) | PP (#5) | |
|---|---|---|
| Clarity | Crystal clear | Slightly cloudy (clearer options exist) |
| Feel | Rigid | More flexible |
| Recycling | Widely accepted for bottles; cups vary locally | How2Recycle rates PP cups widely recyclable for more than 60% of U.S. households |
| Hot liquids | Not for hot | Handles warmer temperatures better |
Lids should match the cup material. See our full PET vs. PP comparison.
Writing iced recipes
Ice displaces a lot of liquid, so recipes must be built for the cup with ice in it.
Illustrative 16 oz iced latte: - Fill cup with ice to about the top line or three-quarters - 2 shots espresso - Syrup per recipe (iced drinks often need slightly more sweetness) - Milk to about ½ inch below the rim
Write the recipe for each size and post it at the bar. Train with the actual cups and ice you use. If your ice changes (for example, a new ice machine with smaller cubes), re-test recipes.
Choosing your lineup
Simple lineup (most cafés): 16 and 20 oz, one flat lid, one sip or dome lid.
Full lineup: 12, 16, 20 and 24 oz, sharing one lid size.
High iced-tea or drive-thru volume: add 24 oz and consider 32 oz if your menu and pricing support it.
Questions to ask: - What sizes do customers actually order? Check your POS. - Do all sizes share a lid? - Does the larger size price out profitably with ice and milk?
Pricing by size
Price iced sizes by cost and perceived value. A 20 oz iced latte often carries the same espresso as a 16 oz but more milk and ice, so the price gap can be modest while still protecting margin. Calculate each size with our cost per drink guide.
Inventory and forecasting
- Forecast cold cups separately for spring/summer and fall/winter.
- Set par levels by size and keep lids at matching levels.
- Store sleeves of cups in their cases to avoid dust and crushing.
See our cup forecasting guide.
Branding cold cups
Clear cups show off layered drinks, and a printed logo turns every iced latte into a walking ad. Keep designs simple and bold so they read through condensation and ice. See our cup design tips.
Branded cold cups in every size
Affogato Bean prints branded PET and PP cold cups with matching lids, with design help included, and Affogato Reserve can ramp deliveries as iced season builds. See products or request samples.
Frequently asked questions
What cold cup sizes should a coffee shop stock?
Most cafés offer two or three iced sizes, commonly 16 and 20 oz, with 12 oz for kids or small drinks and 24 oz for large iced coffees and teas. Choose sizes that share one lid diameter to simplify inventory.
Do 12, 16, 20 and 24 oz cold cups use the same lid?
Often, yes. Many PET cold cup lines use a 98 mm rim across 12 to 24 oz, so one lid fits all four sizes. Check rim diameters, since brands and materials vary.
How much ice should go in an iced coffee?
Many cafés fill the cup about two-thirds to three-quarters with ice, then add the drink. Ice takes up a large share of the cup, so recipes should be written for the drink volume after ice.
Sources
- Lollicup (Karat), “PET Plastic Flat Lids, 98 mm (specifications).”
- GreenBlue / How2Recycle, “More Than 60% of U.S. Households Can Now Recycle Cold To-Go Cups Curbside.”
- The Shelby Report, “Coffee Trend Survey: Specialty Hits Record, Grocery Share Slips.”
Sources checked October 2026. Statistics are reported as published by each source.