Clear PET Cups for Cold Drinks: Size & Lid Guide

Clear PET cups are one of the most practical choices for serving colourful cold drinks while keeping the product clearly visible. From fresh juice and iced coffee to smoothies, milkshakes and frappés, choosing the right clear cup can improve presentation, portion control and takeaway service.

However, choosing a clear plastic cup is not simply about selecting the largest size. Businesses also need to consider the type of drink, portion size, amount of ice, toppings and, importantly, which lid is compatible with the cup.

This guide explains the most useful clear PET cup sizes for cold drinks, what each size is best suited to, the difference between domed and straw-slot lids, and what cafés, juice bars, dessert shops, restaurants and caterers should consider before ordering.

If you already know what you need, browse our complete range of clear plastic takeaway cups for smoothies, juice and cold drinks.

What Are PET Cups?

PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate. It is a lightweight, transparent plastic widely used for clear cold-drink packaging.

One of the main advantages of PET cups for foodservice businesses is their clarity. Customers can see the colour, layers and texture of the drink rather than having the product hidden inside an opaque cup.

This makes clear PET cups particularly useful for:

• Fresh fruit juices
• Smoothies
• Milkshakes
• Iced coffee and iced lattes
• Cold brew
• Frappés and blended drinks
• Iced tea
• Soft drinks and lemonade
• Protein shakes
• Chilled dessert drinks

The Somoplast clear PET cups in this range are intended for cold drinks. They should not be used for hot coffee, tea, boiling liquids or other hot-fill applications unless a particular product is specifically stated to be suitable.

Why Choose Clear PET Cups for Takeaway Drinks?

Excellent Product Visibility

Presentation is particularly important for smoothies, juices, iced coffee and premium milkshakes. A clear cup allows customers to see the drink, including its colour, layers, fruit pieces and other ingredients.

This can be especially valuable for juice bars, dessert shops, cafés and grab-and-go businesses where appearance is an important part of the customer experience.

Lightweight and Practical

PET cups are lightweight, easy to stack and practical for busy takeaway environments. They allow staff to store, fill and serve drinks efficiently while providing the rigidity required for normal cold-drink service.

Available in Several Useful Sizes

Using a structured range of cup capacities allows businesses to offer small, regular, large and extra-large drinks while maintaining a consistent presentation across the menu.

Clear PET Cup Size Guide

The most suitable cup size depends on the drink, serving portion, amount of ice and whether toppings are added.

Cup Size	Approx. Capacity	Best Uses	Typical Portion
8/9oz	250ml	Small juice, iced coffee, smoothies and chilled drinks	Small
10oz	300ml	Juice, iced coffee, smoothies and chilled desserts	Small / Regular
12/14oz	400ml	Smoothies, iced lattes, milkshakes, frappés and soft drinks	Medium
16oz	500ml	Large smoothies, milkshakes, iced coffee, juice and protein shakes	Large
20oz	660ml	Extra-large smoothies, thick milkshakes and premium cold drinks	Extra Large

These capacities are useful guides for planning a drinks menu. Always check the individual product specification and lid compatibility before ordering.

8/9oz Clear PET Cups – 250ml

Our 8/9oz 250ml clear PET cups provide a compact option for smaller takeaway drinks where good product visibility is important.

The 250ml capacity is particularly useful for:

• Small fresh juices
• Small iced coffees
• Cold brew
• Smaller smoothies
• Chilled soft drinks
• Drink samples
• Small dessert portions

The clear construction helps display the colour and appearance of the drink, making this size useful for cafés, juice bars, dessert shops, caterers and grab-and-go service.

View our Somoplast 8/9oz 250ml clear PET takeaway cups.

10oz Clear PET Cups – 300ml

A 10oz / 300ml clear PET cup is a useful smaller format for cafés, coffee shops, juice bars and catering businesses.

It works particularly well for:

• Fresh juice
• Small iced coffee
• Cold brew
• Small smoothies
• Milkshakes
• Fruit portions
• Yoghurt and chilled desserts

The 300ml capacity provides slightly more room than the 250ml option while still remaining compact and easy to handle.

See our Somoplast 10oz 300ml clear PET cold drink cups.

12/14oz Clear PET Cups – 400ml

The 12/14oz 400ml PET cup is a versatile medium-size option and can work well as the standard drink size on many takeaway menus.

It provides useful capacity for:

• Regular smoothies
• Iced lattes
• Frappés
• Milkshakes
• Fresh juices
• Iced tea
• Soft drinks
• Cold dessert drinks

For many cafés and juice bars, 400ml offers a good balance between portion size and ease of handling.

View our Somoplast 12/14oz 400ml clear PET takeaway cups.

16oz Clear PET Cups – 500ml

A 16oz / 500ml clear PET cup is a popular option for larger takeaway cold drinks.

The extra capacity makes it particularly suitable for:

• Large smoothies
• Milkshakes
• Protein shakes
• Fresh juices
• Iced coffee and iced latte
• Frappés
• Iced tea
• Soft drinks

The 500ml format also provides more room for ice, foam and thicker blended drinks without moving immediately to an extra-large cup.

See our Somoplast 16oz 500ml clear PET cold drink cups.

20oz Clear PET Cups – 660ml

For customers looking for a larger serving, the 20oz / 660ml clear PET cup provides generous capacity for premium takeaway drinks.

This size works particularly well for:

• Large fruit smoothies
• Protein and meal-replacement shakes
• Premium milkshakes
• Frappés
• Large iced coffees
• Cold brew
• Lemonade
• Mocktails
• Large chilled drinks

The additional capacity also provides more headroom where a drink contains ice, fruit pieces, foam or other ingredients.

Browse our Somoplast 20oz 660ml clear PET cold drink cups.

Which PET Cup Size Should My Business Choose?

You do not necessarily need every available cup size. Keeping the range simple can make service faster, reduce storage requirements and make it easier for staff to match cups with the correct lids.

A practical size structure could be:

• 8/9oz / 250ml: Small
• 10oz / 300ml: Small / Regular
• 12/14oz / 400ml: Medium
• 16oz / 500ml: Large
• 20oz / 660ml: Extra Large

A juice bar may concentrate on 250ml, 300ml, 400ml and 500ml cups, while a milkshake or dessert business may find the larger 400ml, 500ml and 660ml sizes more useful.

Before finalising your menu, prepare the actual drink in the intended cup. Ice, fruit pieces, whipped cream, foam and other ingredients can significantly affect how much usable capacity you need.

How to Choose the Correct Lid for Clear PET Cups

Choosing the correct lid is just as important as choosing the cup.

Cup capacity alone does not guarantee that a lid will fit. The rim diameter and cup design also determine compatibility, so businesses should use lids specifically designed for the relevant Somoplast cup range.

Cup Range	Straw-Slot Lid	Domed Lid
8/9oz and 10oz range	6–8–10oz straw-slot lid range	6–8–10oz domed lid range
12/14oz, 16oz and 20oz range	12–16–20oz straw-slot lid range	12–16–20oz domed lid range

When Should I Use a Straw-Slot Lid?

A flat straw-slot lid is useful when a drink does not require additional space above the rim of the cup.

It is a practical choice for:

• Fresh juice
• Soft drinks
• Iced tea
• Iced coffee
• Standard smoothies
• Cold drinks served with a straw

For smaller compatible cups, see our Somoplast straw-slot lids for smaller clear PET cups.

For larger drinks, choose the Somoplast straw-slot lids for 12oz, 16oz and 20oz clear cups.

When Should I Use a Domed Lid?

A domed clear lid creates additional space above the rim of the cup.

This makes it particularly useful for:

• Milkshakes with whipped cream
• Smoothies with toppings
• Frappés
• Dessert drinks
• Fruit-topped beverages
• Drinks requiring additional headroom

The dome helps protect toppings while keeping the contents visible, making it particularly useful for premium milkshakes and dessert-style drinks.

For smaller cups, see the Somoplast domed clear lids for smaller PET cups.

For larger sizes, choose the Somoplast domed clear lids for 12oz, 16oz and 20oz cups.

Domed Lid vs Straw-Slot Lid

Feature	Straw-Slot Lid	Domed Lid
Standard cold drinks	Excellent	Suitable
Drinks served with a straw	Excellent	Check individual lid design
Whipped cream	Limited space	Excellent
Fruit and toppings	Limited space	Excellent
Compact storage	Excellent	Requires slightly more space
Premium drink presentation	Good	Excellent for topped drinks

Best PET Cup Size for Smoothies

Smoothies vary considerably in portion size and thickness.

A 250ml or 300ml cup can work well for smaller smoothies, while the 400ml size provides a useful regular portion. Larger 500ml and 660ml cups provide more room for premium servings and drinks containing additional fruit, ice or other ingredients.

If a smoothie includes fruit, whipped cream or toppings extending above the cup rim, consider using the appropriate domed lid.

Best Clear Cups for Milkshakes

Milkshakes often require more capacity than standard cold drinks, particularly when ice cream, whipped cream, sauces or toppings are added.

For this reason, 400ml, 500ml and 660ml clear PET cups can be particularly useful for milkshake and dessert businesses.

A domed lid is generally the more practical choice where toppings extend above the cup rim, while a flat straw-slot lid works well for simpler milkshakes without additional toppings.

Best PET Cups for Iced Coffee

Clear PET cups are well suited to iced coffee because the transparent sides show the coffee, milk and ice layers.

Depending on your menu:

• 250ml: Small iced coffee
• 300ml: Small to regular iced coffee
• 400ml: Regular iced latte
• 500ml: Large iced latte or cold brew
• 660ml: Extra-large speciality iced drink

A straw-slot lid is generally sufficient for standard iced coffee, while a domed lid can provide additional room for whipped cream, foam or toppings.

Best Clear Cups for Fresh Juice

Fresh fruit and vegetable juices benefit particularly from transparent packaging because customers can immediately see the colour and appearance of the drink.

A 250ml or 300ml cup can work well for smaller juice portions, while 400ml and 500ml cups provide options for medium and larger servings.

For businesses offering several flavours, transparent cups can also help staff and customers identify drinks more easily.

Can PET Cups Be Used for Hot Drinks?

No. The clear PET cups featured in this guide are designed for cold beverages.

They should not be used for:

• Hot coffee
• Tea
• Hot chocolate
• Boiling liquids
• Hot-fill applications
• Microwave heating

For hot beverage packaging, browse our wider takeaway cups and lids range and select products specifically designed for hot drinks.

Are Clear PET Cups Recyclable?

PET is commonly recyclable where suitable recycling collection and processing facilities accept it.

However, the fact that a material is recyclable does not guarantee that every used cup will actually be recycled. Collection arrangements can vary between local authorities and commercial waste providers.

Businesses should check the recycling facilities available in their area and encourage customers to dispose of cups through the appropriate waste stream.

It is better to describe PET accurately as a recyclable material where suitable facilities exist rather than claiming that every disposable PET cup will automatically be recycled.

PET Cups vs Lightweight Water Cups

Not every clear disposable plastic cup is designed for smoothies, milkshakes and takeaway drinks.

Lightweight water cups are primarily intended for economical, high-volume service of water, squash and smaller cold refreshments. They can be useful in offices, waiting rooms, schools, catering stations and events but are different from the more rigid clear PET takeaway cup range.

For simple water service, see our Somoplast Holiday 7oz 200ml clear water cups or Somoplast Holiday 7oz 200ml white water cups.

For smoothies, milkshakes, iced coffee and drinks requiring compatible takeaway lids, the clear PET cup range is the more suitable choice.

What About Clear Pint and Half-Pint Cups?

Bars, festivals, parties and catering events may require a different style of disposable drinkware from lidded smoothie and juice cups.

For event and beverage service, Supply Express also stocks half-pint clear plastic disposable cups and one-pint clear plastic disposable cups.

These are intended for different applications from the Somoplast PET cup and lid system, so their dimensions, materials and compatibility should be considered separately.

How Many Clear Cup Sizes Does a Café or Juice Bar Need?

More sizes do not always improve service.

Using too many different cup formats can result in:

• More stock lines
• More lids to manage
• Greater risk of using the wrong lid
• Higher storage requirements
• Slower service during busy periods

Many businesses can create an effective menu around two, three or four main capacities.

For example:

• Juice bar: 250ml, 300ml, 400ml and 500ml
• Coffee shop: 250ml or 300ml for small iced drinks, 400ml regular and 500ml large
• Milkshake shop: 400ml, 500ml and 660ml
• Dessert shop: 400ml and 500ml with compatible domed lids

Clear PET Cup Buying Checklist

Before placing a bulk order, consider the following:

• Drink: Are you serving juice, smoothie, milkshake, iced coffee or soft drinks?
• Portion: Do you need 250ml, 300ml, 400ml, 500ml or 660ml?
• Ice: Does the drink contain enough ice to require a larger cup?
• Toppings: Will whipped cream, fruit or foam extend above the rim?
• Lid: Do you need a flat straw-slot lid or a domed lid?
• Compatibility: Is the lid designed for your exact cup range?
• Temperature: Is the drink suitable for a cold-drink PET cup?
• Storage: Do you have space to store the cups and matching lids?
• Recycling: What facilities are available locally or through your commercial waste provider?

Frequently Asked Questions About Clear PET Cups

What drinks are clear PET cups best for?

Clear PET cups are particularly suitable for cold drinks such as smoothies, fresh juices, milkshakes, iced coffee, frappés, cold brew, iced tea and soft drinks.

What size PET cup should I use for a smoothie?

It depends on your serving size. A 250ml or 300ml cup works well for smaller portions, 400ml provides a useful regular size, 500ml offers a larger serving and 660ml is suitable for extra-large smoothies and premium drinks.

What size clear cup is best for a milkshake?

400ml, 500ml and 660ml cups are useful milkshake sizes. If the drink includes whipped cream or toppings, allow additional headroom and consider using a compatible domed lid.

Which lid fits the 8/9oz and 10oz Somoplast clear cups?

The smaller Somoplast clear cup range uses compatible lids from the 6oz, 8oz and 10oz lid family. Straw-slot and domed lid options are available. Always confirm compatibility with the individual product listing before ordering.

Which lids fit the 12/14oz, 16oz and 20oz Somoplast cups?

The larger Somoplast cup range uses compatible lids designed for the 12oz, 16oz and 20oz family. Businesses can choose between straw-slot and domed lid options depending on the drink being served.

Should I choose a domed lid or a straw-slot lid?

Choose a straw-slot lid for standard cold drinks served with a straw. Choose a domed lid when additional space is required for whipped cream, fruit, foam or other toppings.

Can clear PET cups be used for hot coffee?

No. The Somoplast clear PET cups featured in this guide are intended for cold beverages. Use cups specifically designed for hot drinks when serving coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

Are PET cups recyclable?

PET is commonly recyclable where accepted by suitable recycling facilities. Collection arrangements vary, so businesses and customers should follow local or commercial recycling guidance.

Are lids included with the PET cups?

Lids are sold separately unless an individual product listing specifically states otherwise. Choose a compatible lid from the appropriate Somoplast lid range.

What is the smallest PET cup in this range?

The 8/9oz 250ml clear PET cup is the smallest of the main Somoplast takeaway PET cup sizes covered in this guide, followed by the 10oz 300ml option.

Choosing the Right Clear PET Cups for Your Business

The best clear PET cup is the one that matches your drink, serving portion and lid requirements.

A 250ml or 300ml clear PET cup can be ideal for smaller juices, smoothies and iced coffees. The 400ml option works well as a versatile medium size, 500ml provides a generous large serving, and 660ml gives milkshake, smoothie and dessert businesses additional capacity for premium extra-large drinks.

Just as importantly, match each cup with the correct lid. Straw-slot lids provide a practical solution for standard takeaway drinks, while domed lids create additional room for toppings and dessert-style beverages.

Browse our complete range of clear plastic takeaway cups and compatible lids for cafés, juice bars, dessert shops, takeaways, food trucks and catering businesses.