Good Morning - Tuesday - Now that Rory finally pulled off the win at the Masters, I can’t help but wonder—will we see a wave of little Rorys filling up classrooms in a few years? After watching all four days of the tournament, all I want now is to try one of those famous pimento cheese sandwiches. I know exactly what I’m bringing to the Easter potluck! #Sammiches

This weeks grind:

• You Feelin Luckin: Big chain coffee competition coming to NYC

• Ready Made Hype: Bottle Rats just got a pick-me-up!

• The Boots New Pod: Old & Busted: K-Cups, New Hotness: X-Caps

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

Luckin Coffee Coming to America—Getting Hot & Heavy with OATLY

Luckin Coffee, China’s largest coffee chain, is preparing to enter the U.S. market, posing a significant challenge to established players like Starbucks. After recovering from a major fraud scandal and subsequent bankruptcy, Luckin has rapidly expanded, boasting over 22,000 stores in China. The company plans to debut in New York City, leveraging its successful strategies from China: offering coffee at lower prices (around $2–$3 per cup) and utilizing a mobile-first ordering system. Luckin’s aggressive expansion and competitive pricing have already made it a formidable competitor in China, and it aims to replicate this success in the U.S.

They aren’t just coming to America, they are getting cozy with OATLY as well. In response to intensifying competition, Starbucks has initiated several strategic changes under new CEO Brian Niccol. The company is focusing on enhancing the in-store experience by reducing wait times, streamlining the menu, and reintroducing ceramic cups to encourage customers to linger. Despite these efforts, Starbucks faces challenges from emerging competitors like Dutch Bros and McDonald’s new concept, CosMc’s (I had to look it up too), both emphasizing drive-thru services and unique beverage offerings. The U.S. coffee market is becoming increasingly competitive, with new entrants and evolving consumer preferences reshaping the landscape.

WAKE UP BOTTLE

Bottle Service — Ready Made Espresso…No Barista Required

You read that right—espresso in a bottle, soon to be available in the coffee aisle of your local grocery store. Sure, you’ll want to try it in your lattes and espresso martinis, but the real test? The ultimate coffee cocktail: the Carajillo. Looks like we’re picking up a bottle and putting it to the test. Get ready—another coffee video from JTD is coming your way!

Joe Coffee just dropped a game-changer for the caffeine-obsessed: Ready to Use Espresso—a slick little bottle packing all the punch of their beloved Waverly espresso blend, minus the machine and the mess. Teaming up with the extraction wizards at BKON, they used some next-level Coldstretto® tech to lock in those figgy, chocolatey, citrusy notes we dream about, and bottled it for our at-home, on-the-go, “I-have-no-time-for-this” lives. Whether you’re shaking up espresso martinis, pouring over ice, or splashing into a morning latte like a caffeinated mixologist, this stuff is built for flavor and flexibility. You can even sneak it into baked goods if you’re feeling fancy (or just trying to stay upright after three Zoom calls).

Early reviews are singing its praises—Sprudge called it out for actually tasting like good espresso, not the sad syrupy sludge we’ve been conditioned to accept from most shelf-stable brews. It’s a rare mix of barista-level quality with the “just open the damn bottle” convenience we crave. At $25 a bottle it isn’t going to break the bank to find out for yourself if this is worth adding to your morning latte.

JUST THE CLIPS

Gaggia Espresso Machine: A Discussion

We’re talking about how easy this machine is to use—so easy, in fact, that no one else in the house will touch it. Instead, they’ll just hand out fake compliments so I’m stuck making all the drinks. Good thing it’s simple. Listen, like, and subscribe—and drop a comment to let Coffee McGregger know he seriously needs more art on his studio walls.

X-CAPS—NO CAP

Italy Has Entered the Coffee Pod Game. Mario & Luigi Discuss

The coffee served at the fancy mall cafe just entered the coffee pod game. At Milan Design Week, illycaffè decided to flex with its latest creation: the illy X-CAPS capsule system—a sleek little setup that’s equal parts coffee geekery and eco-conscious design flex. This isn’t just a shiny new pod machine; it’s illy’s attempt to blend 90+ years of espresso obsession with a more sustainable, modern brew-at-home vibe. The pods? They’re made from 85% recycled aluminum and designed to work both ways (because apparently symmetry = smarter brewing now). Bonus: they’re all about keeping that rich illy aroma intact without making you feel like a planet-wrecking caffeine goblin.

No one’s pod-shaming you—this is a judgment-free zone (kinda). But personally, I’ve never been able to get the heat or flavor extraction I’m looking for from pod machines. I’ve tried most of the major pod coffee options out there, and sure, they deliver a quick cup. If you’re short on time, they’re convenient and give you the caffeine jolt you need to get moving.

That said, do yourself a favor: on the weekends, slow it down. Treat yourself to a manual process of coffee making and enjoy the flavors you create. You deserve it.

Random Wakeups

• Elephant Story Time: San Diego rocked by a 5.2 earth twerk

• Zero G Ladies: Autopilot rolls eyes when asked if it’s going the right way

• Of Course He won: The 1 time I don’t bet on Rory and he wins

• Starbucks Seeing Green: The apron is the star of the show

• It’s Tax Day: When you get that refund spend it wisely

Spend That Return on Some Drip