New-Age Coffee: Espresso, Ice Cream & Vodka Drink

When summer heat hits, coffee lovers often crave something cold—but not just any iced drink. They want a refreshing beverage that still honors coffee’s bold core. That’s where creative coffee drinks like the 2011 illy New-Age coffee come in: a layered mix of espresso, ice cream, citrus liqueur, vodka, and chocolate that turns a classic shot into a chilled, flavorful experience.

The 2011 illy New-Age coffee combines cooled espresso, one scoop of ice cream, orange liqueur, a measure of vodka, and sweet chocolate chips—all blended into a rye-hued, aromatic frozen drink set to launch in Shanghai in mid-June.

What Is New-Age Coffee?

New-Age coffee, as developed by illy in 2011, is not your usual espresso or even a standard iced latte. It’s a chilled coffee-based dessert drink designed for warm weather. The recipe blends already cooled espresso with a single ball of ice cream, a splash of orange liqueur , a measured amount of vodka, and is finished with crushed sweet chocolate pieces. The result is a smooth, dessert-like coffee drink with a rye-colored hue and rich, inviting aroma.

Flavor & Texture Profile

This drink delivers multiple textures and flavor layers: the bitterness and strength of espresso, the creaminess of ice cream, the bright citrus note from the orange liqueur, a slight alcoholic warmth from vodka, and the sweetness and crunch of chocolate chips. The combination creates a complex, refreshing beverage ideal for summer enjoyment. The overall presentation is visually striking and aromatic even before tasting.

Launch Details & Availability

The illy New-Age coffee drink was part of illy’s 2011 summer lineup. It was set to debut in mid-June through select illy partner locations in Shanghai. These partner cafes were among the first to offer this unique frozen coffee innovation to Chinese consumers, marking illy’s continued effort to blend coffee culture with local seasonal experiences.

illy’s Coffee Culture Mission in China

Zhang Guojun, illy Coffee China General Manager, emphasized illy’s dedication beyond just selling espresso. “As a leading coffee brand, illy is committed not only to providing the purest, classic espresso worldwide but also to spreading coffee culture globally,” he said. He highlighted that illy’s Shanghai coffee university had been operating for five years, and the globally renowned illy Art Gallery Café was planned to open in Shanghai the following year, aiming to deepen Chinese consumers’ connection with authentic Italian-style coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in the illy New-Age coffee drink?

The New-Age coffee contains cooled espresso, one ice cream ball, orange liqueur, vodka, and sweet chocolate chips. These ingredients are blended together to create a chilled, aromatic, rye-colored drink with multiple flavor layers including coffee bitterness, creaminess, citrus, alcohol, and chocolate sweetness.

When and where was the New-Age coffee launched?

The New-Age coffee drink was launched in mid-June 2011. It was first made available through selected illy partner cafes in Shanghai, as part of illy’s summer seasonal offerings.

What flavors can you expect from the New-Age coffee?

The drink offers a mix of espresso bitterness, creamy ice cream texture, citrusy orange liqueur notes, a mild vodka warmth, and sweet, crunchy chocolate chips—creating a layered, dessert-like iced coffee experience.

Did illy have other plans for promoting coffee culture in China?

Yes. Zhang Guojun mentioned that illy’s Shanghai coffee university had been running for five years, and the global illy Art Gallery Café was scheduled to open in Shanghai the following year to further promote authentic Italian coffee culture.

Is the New-Age coffee considered an alcoholic beverage?

Yes, it contains vodka and orange liqueur, which means it has alcohol content and is more of a coffee-based cocktail or dessert drink than a traditional caffeinated beverage.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Iced & Flavored Coffee

For coffee drinks like the New-Age coffee—where espresso is a key base—FrontStreet’s Classic Blend offers excellent crema and a balanced, approachable profile that works well in both hot and cold applications. Its smooth, rounded flavor supports added ingredients without getting lost. Alternatively, the Specialty Blend, based on Brazil and Colombia beans, delivers a familiar yet vibrant Italian-style taste ideal for customizing with ice cream or liqueurs. Both blends are roasted to support texture and crema, making them solid foundations for creative iced or flavored coffee drinks. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.