14 Refreshing Summer Coffee Drinks (You Need to Try)

As the weather warms up and the sun comes out to say hello, coffee fans everywhere are looking forward to making summer coffee drinks.

There’s nothing better than sitting outdoors in the sun with a refreshing iced latte, or enjoying watching the summer sunset with a coffee based cocktail. Suddenly it’s just too warm to drink hot coffee, and something cool and delicious is required to hit the spot. Coffee shops and bars are switching up their menus – pushing iced coffees to the top and marketing their super tasty frappuccino recipes.

The turn of the seasons is a great time for trying new things, and enjoying beverages with seasonality in mind. Cool down with creamy coffee treats or have fun creating coffee ice cubes for your iced lattes.

For the at-home baristas like us the summer weather opens up a world of summer coffee drink opportunities. Suddenly everywhere you look there are recipes popping up for us to try at home. It can get a little overwhelming wondering what to try, which is why I have created this bumper list of summer coffee drinks, including a breakdown of everything you need to know – all in one place!

Here are 14 summer coffee drinks to try at home this season…

Cold Brew Coffee With A Twist

Nothing beats a refreshing and invigorating cold brew on a warm summer morning. Add a twist to your favorite roast with a simple syrup to create the ultimate cold brew. 

When you’re done pour your coffee grounds on your garden to help give your summer plants a boost!

Cold brew coffee recipes are often simple and straightforward, and result in a tasty but somewhat plain drink. Adding a yummy syrup, like caramel, vanilla or chocolate can take your cold brew from good to great!

How to make a simple cold brew with syrup in a French press

I use a ratio of 1:8 for my cold brew recipes, here is a quick guide: 3oz (80g) coarsely ground coffee and 36oz (1L) of water.

1. Grind your coffee beans coarsely and Add your favorite roast to your French press. Or measure out your pre ground coffee. 
2. Fill the french press with cold water and leave the coffee to infuse. You can decide on how long to leave it depending on how strong you like your brew. Leave for 12-24 hours. You can decide on how long to leave it depending on how strong you like your brew. If you’re unsure, pour out a small amount to try after 12 hours and see if it’s at the strength you like. Keep trying every 1 hour or so until you are satisfied.
3. Once your desired strength is met pour your cold brew into a tall glass and add a shot of syrup of your choice. Add milk if you take your coffee that way and enjoy!
4. In a glass add ice with 1 part water and 1 part cold brew. 

Top tip : Use filtered water for an even better taste!

When making a pot of cold brew I often make the 36oz (1L) amount so I can enjoy multiple servings. Leave your cold brew in the refrigerator overnight to enjoy another cup the following morning.

Create Coffee Ice Cubes For An Amazing Iced Coffee

Take your iced coffee to the next level by creating fancy ice cubes for your beverage!

A great way to make a fantastic iced coffee that doesn’t feel watered down by melting ice cubes is to create ice cubes from your leftover coffee. The next time you brew a pot of your favorite roast, pour what’s left into an ice cube tray to freeze and use later in your iced coffees.

When the coffee ice cubes melt they’ll add more flavor to the drink, instead of diluting it.

Another way to utilise ice cubes to make a rockin’ iced coffee is to drizzle syrups over the water in your ice cube tray before freezing. Add yummy chocolate syrups, or even season with cinnamon, salt and caramel, add in chocolate chips or funky gold flakes.

Maple syrup is a great way to garnish your ice cubes, and add to your favorite beverage.

 Almond Milk Iced Coffee

Nut milks are an excellent addition to coffee as they are so flavourful, creamy and have a huge range to suit all tastes.

Almond milk in particular goes so nicely in coffee for a toasty, nutty, woody flavor with a hint of sweetness. In an iced coffee almond milk really stands out, for a delicious summer drink.

Nut milks make for much more unique coffee drinks, as there are so many options when compared to dairy based milk. Why not try adding a splash of almond milk into your iced coffee for a tasty experience!

Alternatively, make an iced almond milk based latte for the ultimate summer coffee/nut milk combo drink. Here’s how:

1. Pour one or two shots of espresso (depending on your preference) over ice until cool and then strain.
2. Transfer the espresso into a tall glass and fill up with 250ml of cold almond milk, straight from the refrigerator.
3. Mix well and add syrups to taste if you like.

For a sweeter taste mix the espresso with sugar when hot until the sugar dissolves, then pour over ice. If you don’t have espresso, use a small amount of really strong coffee.

Top tip: use barista almond milk that’s designed to be mixed with coffees and teas for an even better taste. You should always use a barista nut milk when pouring into hot coffee, as the milk won’t separate and look a little strange.

Coffee Vanilla Ice Cream Float

Ice cream floats are beyond delicious. Add coffee into the equation and you have a true match made in heaven – your tastebuds will thank you for this one!

Making a cold brew float couldn’t be easier. Here’s how:

Prepare your ingredients

• 250ml of cold brew coffee
• Vanilla soy milk – the barista edition
• Vanilla dairy free ice cream

Method

1. Prepare a pot of cold brew coffee and allow it to infuse according to your strength preferences. Pour a small amount into a cup every 10 minutes or so until the coffee reaches your desired strength.
2. Decant the coffee into a tall glass and add sweetened vanilla soy milk to taste.
3. Finish your drink with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle syrup over the top if desired.

The result is a delicious, vanillary treat bursting with creamy goodness. This is a great spin on a cold brew, transforming the beverage into a tasty summer dessert.

You could double down on the coffee and make a delicious coffee flavoured ice cream float, drizzled with salted caramel syrup. Alternatively make a chocolatey treat with chocolate ice cream, chocolate syrup and chocolate flavoured soy milk in your cold brew for an iced mocha flavoured feel.

The combinations are endless!

Coffee Milkshake

Making a coffee milkshake on a hot summer day is the perfect way to cool down. Enjoy this afternoon treat in the shade, for a decadent break.

How to make a simple, yet super tasty coffee milkshake:

1. Prepare one or two shots of espresso depending on your preference and pour them over ice to cool.
2. Take a blender and pour in 250ml of your favorite dairy-free milk.
3. Pop in the cooled espresso.
4. Add a couple of scoops of ice cream of choice, to complement the flavor of the soy milk and coffee – think chocolate, caramel, vanilla, or cookie dough!
5. Blend and pour your frothy coffee milkshake into a cute mason jar. Top with whipped cream and syrup for a pretty and tasty finish.

Using chocolate syrup in a coffee and chocolate milkshake is absolutely delicious. Top with a dusting of cocoa powder for an aesthetic finish. Combine strong coffee with chocolate ilk for a yummy and easy milkshake base!

A coffee milkshake is an ideal dessert for those with a sweet tooth. Serve this delicious drink at a garden party and win the favor of your guests!

Coffee Cocktails

There is nothing better than watching a summer sun set with a cool cocktail in hand. Get the holiday feeling at home by making a springy coffee cocktail, to liven up the evening with a kick of caffeinated fun. 

Also great on a hot afternoon, coffee cocktails are an excellent way to combine two types of beverages. There are tonnes of coffee cocktail recipes available out there, but to wet your palette here are two simple ones:

Espresso martini

1. Pour 25ml of vodka and 50ml of Kahlua into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and set to one side.
2. Prepare your espresso and let it chill. Once cool add one shot to your cocktail shaker.
3. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.
4. Garnish with two to three coffee beans and serve.

For something a little different than try my Salted Caramel Espresso Martini.

Coffee and Tonic (With a Dash of Orange Bitters)

Espresso and tonic is really delicious. It’s perfect for those who like a strong flavor, and lean away from sweet tastes.

Here’s what you need for a Coffee Tonic

1. Choose a fruiter espresso and prepare one or two shots depending on your preference.
2. Fill a tall glass with ice (either a 250ml or 350ml glass) and pour tonic over the top until the glass is a third of the way full.
3. Allow your espresso to cool and then add to the glass and stir with a cocktail stirrer.
4. Finish with a dash of orange bitters to make the drink alcoholic. The orange bitters will compliment a fruiter espresso, so keep this in mind when picking out your roast.

Play around with cocktail recipes or come up with your own, for a fun boozy summer experience!

Coconut Iced Coffee

Coconut iced coffee is the most delicious combination on warm summer days. The creamy, tropical taste of coconut is a quintessentially summery flavor. When combined with coffee the flavor palette is perfect!

How to make a scrumptious coconut iced coffee to beat the summer heat:

1. Fill a tall glass with ice and set to one side.
2. Prepare 150ml of strong coffee and allow it to cool.
3. Fill the glass with 200ml of coconut milk – go for a barista blend that’s made for pairing with coffee.
4. Pour the coffee into the glass and stir.
5. Add sweeteners or syrups to taste if you like a sweeter iced coffee.

Serve your coconut iced coffee with coconut shavings on top or take it a step further and serve it from a coconut shell cup!

This is a great drink for guests who are a fan of both coconut and coffee. You could make the drink into a coconut ice cream float by adding a scoop and topping with a sweet syrup.

The possibilities are great!

Espresso Tonic

Making an espresso tonic is super easy (it can also be done with cold brew coffee if you aren’t able to make espresso).

Simply mix together tonic and cooled espresso for a tasty and refreshing beverage. Make it with one or two espresso shots, depending on how strong you like your coffee.

How to take it one step further, with cold brew coffee and lime:

1. Brew a pot of cold brew coffee and set it to the side.
2. Fill a glass with ice and pour in 250ml of tonic water.
3. Add in 100ml of cold brew black coffee and mix with a stirrer.
4. Garnish the drink with lime wedges and add a little lime juice if you enjoy a sharp citrus tang.

This is a great drink for those who like a sharp, bitter and bubbly refreshing taste. It’s sophisticated and perfect as an after-dinner digestive.

Coffee Liqueur

Coffee liqueur is an excellent after dinner treat – sweet enough for those who like a dessert, yet bitter enough to be enjoyed by those who don’t! It’s the perfect medium of coffee and alcoholic flavor.

Coffee flavored alcohol is an excellent palette pairing, ideal for a summer evening sitting in the garden. You can even make cocktails or an alcoholic coffee milkshake by adding a shot or two of coffee liqueur to the mix.

There are a range of coffee flavored liqueurs available to purchase, including salted caramel coffee flavoring, coffee and cream flavoring and other flavored coffee drinks. There’s something available for every palette, to be enjoyed over ice after dinner or as part of a funky coffee cocktail!

Not only are there coffee flavored liqueurs, but also coffee flavoured patron, rum and even beer! There truly is something coffee flavoured for every alcohol connoisseur. 

Why not purchase a range of coffee liqueurs and other alcohols the next time you throw a party for your coffee loving pals. These drinks are sure to impress your guests!

If you looking for more coffee alcohol pairings inspriration.

Vanilla Iced Latte

Vanilla iced lattes are a summer staple drink for a reason – they’re creamy, light and deliciously refreshing on hot days!

Making an iced latte with a vanilla flavor is simple; add a flair to your beverage with vanilla milk and vanilla syrup for a sweet latte brimming with foamy milk.

Here’s an easy guide to making this iced coffee drink:

1. Prepare one or two shots of espresso (depending on your preference) and set aside to cool.
2. Fill a tall glass with ice and pour in 350ml of vanilla-flavored soy milk. Use a stirrer to mix the ice and milk to chill the drink rapidly.
3. Once mixed add your cooled espresso and stir.
4. Finish the drink with a shot of sweet vanilla syrup if you like your iced lattes extra sweet!

You could take this vanilla iced latte to the next level with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, transforming it into a tasty ice cream float. Alternatively you could make the drink hot, to be enjoyed by a campfire as the summer evening chill rolls in.

To make a warm vanilla latte follow the same steps as above but don’t allow the espresso to cool and skip the ice. Warm up the vanilla soy milk first on the stove (but don’t allow it to boil). Combine the ingredients and add the syrup for the perfect summer campfire treat.

Top tip: Use barista soy milk so the blend doesn’t separate once heated up.

Vanilla iced lattes definitely make for a refreshing drink that you’ll want to enjoy time and time again each summer!

Thai Coffee

Thai coffee is not your average cup of joe. It’s much creamier and sweeter thanks to the use of condensed and evaporated milk. It can be enjoyed warm or as an iced coffee, depending on how warm it is outside and your preference.

Thai coffee is perfect for summer, and you can even add a splash of liquor to take it to the next level.

How to make a super creamy, delicious Thai coffee:

1. Brew a pot of your favorite roast and measure out a 350ml cup.
2. Take a measuring jug and add 3 tablespoons of condensed milk.
3. Pour the coffee into the measuring jug and mix the evaporated milk and coffee until well blended.
4. Pour the mixture into a cup and top with one tablespoon of evaporated milk.

To make the drink even more flavourful you can add ground cardamom to your coffee as it brews. Only add a pinch or two as this spice is potent!

Use freshly ground coffee for this drink (if you can) to make it as tasty as possible.

To make this drink dairy free use a dairy free condensed milk and evaporated milk. There are several available, to suit your flavour palette! Try condensed coconut milk for a creamy tropical experience.

Cold Brew Lemonade

Cold brew lemonade is a sweet tangy drink that’s great on hot summer afternoons. The bitterness of the coffee and lemon is rounded out by the sugar in the lemonade, for a delightfully bubbly drink.

Making a refreshing cold brew lemonade couldn’t be easier. Here’s how:

1. Fill a measuring jug with ice and set to the side.
2. Pour 1 part cold brew concentrate into the measuring jug, and add 1 part lemonade.
3. Mix the two with the ice until the drink is super chilled.
4. Strain and serve in a tall glass.

To make the drink look prettier, you can separate the cold brew concentrate and the lemonade by pouring the lemonade straight into the glass first. Slowly pour the cold brew concentrate on top for a separated effect.

Make a large pitcher of this drink to serve to guests at garden parties and enjoy their reactions if they’ve not tried it before. It’s delicious!

Coffee Smoothie

There’s no better way to wake yourself up on a summer morning than with a caffeine and antioxidant fueled coffee and berry smoothie. 

If you’ve not tried adding coffee into a smoothie then you’re missing out. The flavour of bitter refreshing coffee pairs excellently with fruits for a zingy beverage.

Give yourself a boost with this tasty blend and enjoy the extra energy!

How to make a yummy coffee smoothie with berries:

1. Brew a pot of cold brew coffee using a roast that boasts berry notes and tangy flavour.
2. Add 100g of frozen mixed berries to a blender.
3. Pour 250ml of the cold brew coffee on top and blend until smooth.
4. Add some sweet honey or a simple syrup if you like your smoothies on the sweeter side.

If you don’t have time to brew a pot of cold brew coffee simply add ground coffee directly on top of the berries, and fill with 250ml of water.

You can swap out the berries for banana, and switch the water with a creamy nut milk for extra taste. Top with raw cacao powder for some extra nutrients and you’re good to go (or add oats for some energy boosting carbs)!

Iced Pistachio Latte

Pistachio lattes are the height of decadence. The nutty, creamy pistachio pairs excellently with the bold flavours of coffee, for a summer drink to indulge in any time of the day. 

Learn how to make an easy at home pistachio latte here.

Adding ice to the latte to make it cool instead of warm is a great option for those sweltering days. After you’ve created your latte decant it into a cocktail strainer filled with ice and shake until cool. Strain into a tall glass and serve!

I hope you enjoyed this Summer Coffee Drinks guide and you feel inspired to head to your kitchen to try making some of these delicious beverages!

Whether you’re looking to make a fancy iced latte or to enjoy a sophisticated coffee cocktail, there’s something in this list to suit every flavour palette.

What are your favourite summer coffee drinks? Let me know in the comments below.