How to Make Starbucks' Huaxie Qingfeng Iced Coffee

Ever wondered how to recreate Starbucks' 2006 summer hit, Huaxie Qingfeng coffee, at home? This classic blend of citrusy brightness and sweet caramel-coke depth has remained a fan favorite for years—but the exact recipe has never been widely shared. Whether you’re aiming for the original iced version or a hot cup, we break down everything you need to know.

To make Huaxie Qingfeng coffee, use a medium-strength washed coffee with citrus, caramel, and cola notes. Serve it hot or iced, black or with milk and sugar—key flavors come from the coffee itself, not additives.

What Is Huaxie Qingfeng Coffee?

Huaxie Qingfeng coffee is a medium-strength brew that debuted in the U.S. during the summer of 2006. Developed by Starbucks to perfect fresh drip iced coffee, it’s known for its approachable profile: a refreshing citrus note (like lemon or orange) balanced with sweet caramel and a hint of cola. It’s designed to shine whether served hot, iced, black, or with milk and sugar.

Flavor Profile & Processing Details

This coffee features a friendly, easy-drinking character with distinct flavor layers:

• Citrus: Bright notes reminiscent of lemon or orange
• Sweetness: Caramel and cola undertones
• Balance: A smooth, well-rounded taste with no single element overpowering

The coffee is processed using the washed method, which contributes to its clean and vibrant profile. It pairs naturally with flavors like hazelnut, lemon, and orange. Fans of bright, juicy coffees might also find similarities to Kenyan coffees, particularly those with vibrant acidity and fruit depth.

Recommended Coffee Beans for Huaxie Qingfeng Style

While Starbucks uses proprietary blends, you can recreate a similar profile using FrontStreet Coffee’s single origins and blends that emphasize citrus, caramel, and medium roast characteristics:

Ethiopia Humbera delivers intense tropical fruit aromas—think strawberry, passionfruit, and lychee—with a juicy, low-bitterness cup that leans fruity rather than traditionally bitter. For bright acidity fans, Kenya Little Tomato offers sharp sourness from SL28/SL34 beans, with juicy flavors of cherry and plum, medium sweetness, and a clean finish. Alternatively, Colombia Sidra brings juicy notes of blueberry, grape, and apricot through a balanced double anaerobic natural process, with cocoa sweetness and mild spice in the finish. These beans align with the citrus-caramel-cola balance described in Huaxie Qingfeng.

All recommended beans are available roasted fresh—ideal for pour-over, drip, or home brewing methods that highlight their fruity and caramel notes.

How to Prepare Huaxie Qingfeng-Style Coffee

Making your own version of Huaxie Qingfeng is simple and flexible. Here’s how to brew it the way you like it:

Choose Your Brewing Method

You can prepare Huaxie Qingfeng-style coffee using any standard drip or immersion method. Popular options include:

• Pour-over (e.g., V60, Kalita Wave) for bright, clean flavors
• French press or AeroPress for fuller body
• Drip machine for convenience and volume

Serve Hot or Iced

Huaxie Qingfeng works beautifully both ways:

• Hot: Brew at 90–93°C (195–205°F) using a medium roast with citrus and caramel notes
• Iced: Brew hot over ice or use cold brew/drip methods to preserve brightness

Customize to Taste

The original Starbucks version was enjoyed:

• Black, to highlight its natural citrus-caramel balance
• With milk and sugar, for a creamier, sweeter drink

Adjust based on your preference—the coffee’s inherent flavors are the star.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of Huaxie Qingfeng coffee?

Huaxie Qingfeng coffee was first launched in the summer of 2006 in the United States. It was created by Starbucks specifically to perfect the flavor of fresh drip iced coffee, combining bright citrus and sweet caramel-coke notes.

What does Huaxie Qingfeng coffee taste like?

It has a friendly, medium-strength profile with refreshing citrus flavors (like lemon or orange) balanced by sweet caramel and a hint of cola. The taste is smooth and well-rounded, appealing to a wide range of coffee drinkers.

What coffee processing method is used for Huaxie Qingfeng?

The coffee is made from beans processed using the washed method, which results in a clean, bright, and vibrant flavor profile. This enhances the citrus and caramel notes central to the Huaxie Qingfeng style.

Can I make Huaxie Qingfeng coffee at home?

Yes. Use a medium-strength coffee with citrus, caramel, and cola flavor notes. Brew it hot or iced, and customize with milk or sugar as desired. FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera, Kenya Little Tomato, and Colombia Sidra are good single-origin alternatives that match the flavor profile.

What roast level is best for Huaxie Qingfeng coffee?

A medium roast is ideal to highlight the coffee’s citrus, caramel, and cola balance without overpowering the brightness. Dark roasts can mute the fruity and acidic notes.

Is Huaxie Qingfeng similar to Kenyan coffee?

Yes. Fans of bright, juicy Kenyan coffees may find similarities, particularly in the vibrant acidity and fruit-forward character. Both often feature a crisp, lively acidity with complex fruit flavors.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Citrus-Caramel Coffee

For a Huaxie Qingfeng-style coffee at home, try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Humbera: it bursts with tropical fruit aromas like strawberry, passionfruit, and lychee, and has a juicy, low-bitterness profile. Kenya Little Tomato offers sharp acidity with sour cherries, plums, and a clean, juicy finish—great for bright, lively cups. Colombia Sidra, processed via double anaerobic natural, delivers blueberry, grape, and apricot notes with cocoa sweetness and mild spice. All three beans align with the citrus, caramel, and medium roast balance of Huaxie Qingfeng. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.