Why Everyone’s Ditching Their Coffee Cups This Summer for the Bucket Coffee Craze You Can’t Afford to Miss

Ever find yourself wondering if there’s really such a thing as too much iced coffee? Well, hold onto your straws, because the latest craze sweeping across the caffeine-loving universe might just answer that question with a giant, frosty, 34-ounce bucket of pure, chilled, java joy. Yeah, you read that right—a bucket of coffee. It’s the new summertime obsession that’s turning heads from Connecticut to Oklahoma, and trust me, it’s as wildly fun as it sounds. Whether you’re channeling your inner Lorelai Gilmore at five cups a day or you’re just someone craving a seriously generous caffeine fix, this trend is shaking up the way we sip. Intrigued yet? Let’s dive into where you can snag one of these colossal cups of energy goodness, or better still, how to whip one up at home without having to stretch your wallet too thin. Ready for a bucket-load of caffeine bliss? You’re gonna love this. LEARN MORE

In the world of caffeine and coffee, there have been dozens of different trends, like 2020’s obsession with instant whipped coffee and every flavor imaginable. Plus, if you grew up watching Lorelai Gilmore drink five cups per day, you’re probably in tune with these viral moments. But the newest TikTok trend that is taking the world by storm and stealing the hearts of coffee lovers is the coffee bucket trend.

Bucket coffee is exactly what it sounds like: a giant bucket full of your favorite iced coffee. Coffee shops around the country are now offering the sweet treat and you can get one right now!

This new viral trend is giving you bucket loads of caffeine. Bucket coffee is a 34-ounce tub of coffee that is perfect for summer. While it’s unclear exactly where the trend stems from, coffee shops in states from Connecticut and Massachusetts to Colorado and Ohio are churning out their own version of the drink. 

One shop in Oklahoma, Dulce Vida, is selling its coffee buckets at $14 a piece, which isn’t all that much in comparison to your everyday $8 latte. 

Where can you get a coffee bucket in the U.S.?

With the coffee bucket being a fairly new trend, you might not just find it at your local coffee shop. But there are specific cafes that have gotten in on it and it is likely to continue growing across the country. 

For folks in the Tri-State area, there are a few shops in Connecticut that are offering the delicious trend. Last Drop Coffee Shop in Monroe, Conn., is taking part in the trend, as well as TJ’s Burritos in Bloomfield, Conn., both of which are selling 36-ounce coffee buckets. 

The owner of TJ’s Burritos, Tricia Martin, shared the shop’s reasoning for partaking in this trend, which has since gone viral on TikTok.

“We had decided not only was it perfect for people that were looking for more than just a large coffee to take with them when they were going on a road trip such as to the beach,” Martin said. “It’s really blown up where we see a lot of people from businesses and offices where they want a bigger coffee to take with them to work.”

The shop now sells about 1,000 coffee buckets per week and sometimes as many as 200 per day. 

Alaina Roberto, the owner of Last Drop Coffee Shop, said, “It seems like it’s a thing right now. It’s a bucket summer.”

For anyone in Oklahoma, you can stop at Dulce Vida in Tulsa and purchase the “La Cubeta.” The item is just $14 with an additional cost for specific add-ons. 

How to make your own coffee bucket at home

Want to try the coffee bucket trend but can’t find one near you? Good news—you can DIY your own version at home with just a few ingredients and a large enough container.

Start by grabbing a large 32–36 oz reusable tumbler or clear takeout container with a lid. Brew a strong batch of your favorite iced coffee or cold brew (about 24–28 oz, depending on how much ice you want), then add milk or a non-dairy alternative, sweetener, flavored syrup or cold foam to taste.

For a true TikTok-style upgrade, top it with whipped cream, cinnamon or chocolate drizzle. Pop in a jumbo straw and you’re ready to sip your bucket of joy—perfect for long drives, hot days, or coffee-fueled work sessions.

If you want to get in on the coffee bucket trend, make sure to check out one of these shops or grab the ingredients to make your very own bucketload of caffeine!