4 Cold Coffee Drinks to Beat the Summer Heat

The best cold coffee drinks are not just hot coffee poured over ice. Each one is built differently , different brew method, different ratio, different result. Cold brew is not the same as iced coffee. Vietnamese iced coffee is not the same as a latte on ice. Espresso tonic is something else entirely.

Four drinks worth making this summer, ranked from most patient to most immediate.

4 Cold Coffee Drinks at a Glance

The Recipes

Ratio: 1:4 coffee to water by weight , 100g coarse-ground coffee per 400ml cold water. Combine in a jar, stir, cover, and refrigerate for 12 to 18 hours. Strain through a fine mesh or cheesecloth. The result is a concentrate , serve over ice diluted 1:1 with water or milk. Cold brew is lower in acidity than hot-brewed coffee because heat accelerates the extraction of acidic compounds. The slow cold steep extracts sweetness and body without the sharpness. Browse our premium whole bean coffee for the dark roast base cold brew rewards most. See our mocha granita guide for another frozen coffee application using cold brew.

Ratio: 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk in the bottom of a tall glass, then 2 oz of strong drip coffee or phin-filtered coffee on top, then ice. Stir just before drinking to combine the layers. The condensed milk is not optional , it is the drink. Regular milk or oat milk does not produce the same result. The coffee must be strong and dark , a light or medium roast thins out under the sweetness. Dark roast drip at a 1:12 ratio (stronger than standard) is the correct base. See our drip coffee guide for how to brew strong drip without bitterness.

Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour 4 oz of plain tonic water over the ice. Pour the espresso slowly over the back of a spoon , this floats it on top of the tonic. Do not stir. Drink through the espresso layer into the tonic , the flavors mix as you drink. The quinine bitterness of tonic amplifies the espresso's natural acidity and produces a surprisingly refreshing cold coffee drink. Use Blackout instant coffee dissolved in 1 oz hot water as the espresso substitute if no machine is available. See our cold mocha soup guide for another no-heat cold coffee drink.

Blend: 2 shots espresso (cooled), 1 cup ice, 1/2 cup milk, 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup, 1 tablespoon sugar (optional). Blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass. The frozen mocha is the dessert option , thick, sweet, closer to a milkshake than a coffee drink. The espresso must be cooled before blending or it melts the ice too fast and produces a watery result. Brew the espresso 30 minutes ahead or use Blackout instant coffee dissolved cold. Browse our premium whole bean coffee for the dark espresso base these cold coffee drinks call for.

The Coffee Behind the Drinks

Browse our premium whole bean coffee , dark roast holds up to ice and dilution best. Ships within 1 to 2 business days of roasting.

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FAQ: Cold Coffee Drinks

Cold brew is brewed cold , coffee steeped in cold water for 12 to 18 hours. Iced coffee is brewed hot and then chilled or poured over ice. Cold brew is lower in acidity, smoother, and more concentrated. Iced coffee retains the brighter, sharper notes of hot brewing and dilutes quickly over ice unless brewed strong. Cold brew is the better base for all four drinks if you have time to plan ahead.

Dark roast for cold brew, Vietnamese iced coffee, and frozen mocha. Dark roast holds up to ice and dilution without thinning. Medium roast works for espresso tonic, where the coffee's natural acidity is part of the drink. Light roast cold coffee drinks taste flat unless the coffee is extra strong. Browse our premium dark roast for the strongest cold base.

Use Blackout instant coffee dissolved in 1 to 2 oz of hot water as an espresso substitute. For cold brew, a French press works. Add coarse grounds and cold water, steep 12 hours in the fridge, then press. See our French press guide for coarse grind settings.

Because it was brewed at standard strength and diluted by melting ice. Fix it by brewing at double strength and pouring over ice, or use cold brew concentrate. The 1:12 ratio produces a brew strong enough to stay flavorful over ice for 20 to 30 minutes. See our coffee with milk guide for how dairy and ice interact with different roasts.

Yes. Any jar with a lid works for the steep. Strain through a fine mesh strainer, a coffee filter in a pour-over cone, or a double layer of cheesecloth. The only requirement is time , 12 to 18 hours in the fridge. A French press works well: coarse grounds and cold water, 12 hours in the fridge, then press. to separate grounds. See our cold mocha soup guide for a no-brew cold coffee dessert.

Fresh-Roasted Coffee for Every Cold Drink

Browse our premium whole bean coffee , dark, medium, and light roast , all shipped within 1 to 2 business days of roasting.

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