Cool down with these summer coffee drinks

As the days begin to heat up and we’re treated to some welcome rays of sunshine, our minds are turning to refreshing summer drinks. For coffee aficionados, hot weather doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to your favourite cup of java. Iced coffee is just as delicious as its steaming hot counterpart and is the perfect refreshing caffeinated treat for a hot summer’s day.

From ice-cold lattes to refreshing cold brew, here are five of our favourite summer coffee drink ideas you can cool down with this summer.

Five summer coffee drinks ideas

Iced Latte

The humble iced latte is one of the most popular cold coffee drinks, and with good reason. Smooth, simple and with an invigorating caffeine kick, it’s also easy to customise to your exact tastes.

Start with a large glass filled with ice. Then, prepare a double shot of espresso (stick with a single shot if you don’t like it too strong) and pour straight over the ice. Finally, top up with milk. It’s that simple!

If you want a sweet hit, add in a drizzle of your favourite syrup – you can’t go wrong with a dash of vanilla or caramel. Or switch up the flavour with the milk. Oat or almond milk gives a rich, slightly nutty flavour and cow’s milk makes for a creamier beverage.

You’re all set. Find somewhere in the sun, take a seat and enjoy!

Cold Brew

The popularity of cold brew is definitely on the rise. After trickling through the big chain coffee shops and cool indie cafes, many people are now realising they can make this delicious cold coffee drink at home.

A cold brew is a labour of love; often crafted in small batches, it’s made by adding cold or room temperature water to coffee grounds and slowly steeping for up to 24 hours. The result is a drink that’s naturally smoother and sweeter than coffee that’s been brewed hot and left to cool.

You can make your own at home by adding ground coffee and cool water to a Kilner jar and leaving it in the fridge overnight. When you’re ready to drink you just need to strain it – use a cheesecloth or a sieve lined with coffee filter paper. And voila! A delicious and uplifting brew that’s ready to drink straight away.

Espresso and Tonic

Fancy something a little different? Coffee and tonic is one of the latest big trends in the coffee world, and it might just be your new favourite summertime go-to. It’s the perfect hazy summer afternoon pick-me-up, blending bubbly tonic and sharp espresso to a mouth-wateringly refreshing effect.

If you want to see what the fuss is about, grab a glass and fill it with ice. Pour over your choice of tonic water then slowly top up with a shot of espresso for a photo-worthy layered effect. Snap a quick picture, stir, then throw in a slice of zesty lemon or lime and enjoy.

Coffee Frappé

In simple terms, a frappé means a cold blended drink (frappé is French for ‘beaten’), so there’s no one set recipe. However, a certain coffee giant’s version of the drink, the ‘Frappuccino’, has popularised the concept of a frappé as a frozen blended coffee drink, so that’s what we’re focusing on today.

The recipe couldn’t be more straightforward. Throw your espresso, a few handfuls of ice and your choice of milk into a high-powered blender, and blend until you get a slushy, almost foamy consistency. Serve immediately, in a tall glass with a straw.

The frappé is another fab drink for customising – add indulgent flavoured syrup, top with whipped cream, or add a touch of chocolate for a mocha frappé. You could even go all out by adding your favourite chocolate bar. Snickers or Ferrero Rocher frappé, anyone? The options are almost endless!

Affogato

This one is a completely decadent treat – if you’ve not tried an affogato yet, you’re missing out!

An affogato is arguably a bit more of a dessert than a drink, but it’s so delicious we’re going to let that slide. This ice cream-based Italian classic translates to “drowned in coffee”, and while it’s often served at the end of a meal, we’re firm believers that an affogato can be enjoyed at any point in the day.

All you need is a scoop of good-quality vanilla ice cream or gelato and a shot of espresso. Add your ice cream to a wide cup or dessert glass, then “drown” it with the espresso. Simple, elegant and oh-so-delicious! You could go all out with a tablespoon of optional liquor, chopped nuts or grated chocolate, or just grab a spoon and dig in – no judgement here!

Check out our full Affogato recipe blog here. 

If you’ve got an event coming up and you want someone else to do the hard work for you, let’s chat. Our talented team of friendly baristas can whip up delicious, iced coffees, smoothies and juices for your summer exhibition stand, product launch or business event. Just get in touch to find out how we can help.