New trends in ice cream, coffeehouses and alcohol, from Mintel

Chicago (June 10, 2009)—Just in time for summer, Mintel releases new findings about three of the hottest food and drink markets: ice cream, coffeehouses and alcoholic beverages. For a media copy of any of these just-published Mintel Oxygen reports, contact press@mintel.com.
Flavor wars: Men and women want different things from (ice cream) relationship
It’s a battle of the sexes in the ice cream aisle as Mintel finds seven in 10 men prefer plain ice cream flavors, like chocolate or vanilla, while 74% of women seek out those containing chocolate or candy bits. Still, each gender seems to enjoy the other’s taste preferences: 66% of women say they also look for plain ice cream, and 63% of men go for jazzed up flavors too.  Fruit flavors don’t bode well for either male or female ice cream-eaters. Less than one in three respondents told Mintel they look for fruit-flavored ice cream.
Coffee dilemma: Americans’ torn between Starbucks and independents, plain and fancy drinks
The 21st century question—Starbucks or independent?—remains unanswered. Mintel’s latest survey shows people firmly split between the coffee conglomerate and the shop next door. One in five respondents say Starbucks is their favorite, but another one in five choose an independent.
America remains equally undecided on its preferred coffeehouse drink. Coffee with milk or cream leads in popularity—30% of respondents say they drink it most often—but black coffee, lattes, cappuccino and iced coffees all enjoy near identical favor among respondents.
Toasting basics: Beer the favored alcoholic beverage at restaurants, bars, home
An ice-cold brew beats out swanky cocktails and sophisticated wine in all domains, according to Mintel’s latest survey. More adults report drinking beer at home (46%), in bars (26%) and even in restaurants (27%) than any other alcoholic beverage. Wine is a close second at home and restaurants, while cocktails are the second most common choice at bars.
Mintel found people are loyal to one or just a few different alcoholic beverage brands, and 70% agreed, “when it comes to alcoholic beverages, I like to stick with what I know.”