• by Teresa Buyikian , June 28, 2024

With the coffee date often the first IRL experience for those who begin dating online, one coffee chain has merged the online and offline dating worlds for a new TikTok dating show.

To promote the chain’s iced drink menu, this week Caribou Coffee announced its new six-episode TikTok dating show, “Dream Date: A Sip At Love.” Hosted by comedian and reality TV star Hannah Berner, known for her podcasts "Giggly Squad" and "Berner Phone," the Gen Z-targeted online series will show speed dating style contestants trying to determine (with help from Berner) if they’re a “dreamy match” or a “real pass.”

"We really wanted to shake it up this summer, and after lots of conversations with our Gen Z guests, we concluded that they love four things: energy drinks, Fruit Shakers, afternoon treats… and dating shows," said Caribou Coffee Chief Brand and Marketing Officer Erin Newkirk in a release. "Caribou is already known for being a place of community -- a familiar spot where people feel at home while making new connections or catching up with lifelong friends.”

The contestants consume copious amounts of Caribou iced drinks during the series, courtesy of the show’s resident barista, including the chain’s Fruit Shakers, which are shaken, caffeine-free drinks with fruit, fruit juices and coconut milk and available in  Strawberry, Peach and Berry Punch flavors.

Contestants were found during a casting call in the Minneapolis area earlier this year.

The chain is promoting the show on its TikTok channel @cariboucoffee, with an online trailer showing funny scenes of various couples from the series. “Dream Date" began this week and will run weekly through the summer. Highlights will also be posted to Instagram.