If you crave a frozen coffee fix on a scorching day, raise a glass (or, rather, a cup with a dome lid) to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®. Long before the explosion of frozen coffee concoctions flooding menus today, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® was a forerunner, inventing the iconic Ice Blended® way before the trend took hold.
What many may not know is that The Original Ice Blended® wasn't born in a sterile lab under the watchful eye of a team of food scientists. Rather, it emerged from a delightful accident, fueled by a touch of wanderlust and a healthy dose of experimentation.
From Humble Beginnings to Frosty Favorite
The year was the mid-1980s, and the California sun was beating down on Los Angeles. A young Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® store manager, freshly returned from adventures in Europe, was inspired by the vibrant café culture she encountered. Back home, she channelled that spirit into her daily routine, embracing a sense of culinary exploration. This included, rather uniquely, a fondness for adding diet powder to her beverages.
One day, dissatisfied with the lackluster flavor, she embarked on an impromptu taste test. Swapping the diet powder for a hit of chocolate, she combined it with our signature coffee extract, milk, and a generous dose of crushed ice. The result was nothing short of delicious.
This refreshingly frosty concoction quickly became a favourite among colleagues, its popularity spreading like wildfire through the cafe. Soon, curious customers were catching wind of this off-menu hit, and a global sensation was born.
A World of Creative Possibilities
Recognizing the huge potential in this accidental creation, the team quickly refined the recipe, adding it to the menu as the “Ice Blended® Café Mocha”. The name paid tribute to its hot counterpart while highlighting the refreshing twist of crushed ice. This simple summer treat, often crowned with a cloud of whipped cream, became the foundation for a world of creative possibilities.
Today, the Ice Blended® comes in a wide variety of flavors, from classic coffee and non-caffeinated options to exciting twists featuring nuts, fruits, and even cookies and cream.
From the best-selling Malibu Dream Ice Blended® with the creamiest blend of vanilla, strawberry, and banana to seasonal delights like the Black Forest Mocha Ice Blended®, a decadent blend of chocolate, espresso beans and Maraschino cherries, there’s something for everyone.
Decades after its accidental birth, the Ice Blended® continues to be a global bestseller. With every sip, it's a reminder of our commitment to innovation and the delicious surprises that can arise from a dash of experimentation.
So next timeyou reach for a frozen coffee, take a moment to appreciate the OG of the movement – The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®'s Ice Blended.
If you crave a frozen coffee fix on a scorching day, raise a glass (or, rather, a cup with a dome lid) to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®. Long before the explosion of frozen coffee concoctions flooding menus today, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® was a forerunner, inventing the iconic Ice Blended® way before the trend took hold.
What many may not know is that The Original Ice Blended® wasn't born in a sterile lab under the watchful eye of a team of food scientists. Rather, it emerged from a delightful accident, fueled by a touch of wanderlust and a healthy dose of experimentation.
From Humble Beginnings to Frosty Favorite
The year was the mid-1980s, and the California sun was beating down on Los Angeles. A young Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® store manager, freshly returned from adventures in Europe, was inspired by the vibrant café culture she encountered. Back home, she channelled that spirit into her daily routine, embracing a sense of culinary exploration. This included, rather uniquely, a fondness for adding diet powder to her beverages.
One day, dissatisfied with the lackluster flavor, she embarked on an impromptu taste test. Swapping the diet powder for a hit of chocolate, she combined it with our signature coffee extract, milk, and a generous dose of crushed ice. The result was nothing short of delicious.
This refreshingly frosty concoction quickly became a favourite among colleagues, its popularity spreading like wildfire through the cafe. Soon, curious customers were catching wind of this off-menu hit, and a global sensation was born.
A World of Creative Possibilities
Recognizing the huge potential in this accidental creation, the team quickly refined the recipe, adding it to the menu as the “Ice Blended® Café Mocha”. The name paid tribute to its hot counterpart while highlighting the refreshing twist of crushed ice. This simple summer treat, often crowned with a cloud of whipped cream, became the foundation for a world of creative possibilities.
Today, the Ice Blended® comes in a wide variety of flavors, from classic coffee and non-caffeinated options to exciting twists featuring nuts, fruits, and even cookies and cream.
From the best-selling Malibu Dream Ice Blended® with the creamiest blend of vanilla, strawberry, and banana to seasonal delights like the Black Forest Mocha Ice Blended®, a decadent blend of chocolate, espresso beans and Maraschino cherries, there’s something for everyone.
Decades after its accidental birth, the Ice Blended® continues to be a global bestseller. With every sip, it's a reminder of our commitment to innovation and the delicious surprises that can arise from a dash of experimentation.
So next timeyou reach for a frozen coffee, take a moment to appreciate the OG of the movement – The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®'s Ice Blended.
