Go Back
featured image 12868

Summer Coffee Drinks — Skip the Coffee Shop - Cool, Easy, and Affordable

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Coarsely ground coffee (medium or dark roast works great)
  • Milk or alt milk (whole, 2%, oat, almond, soy, coconut)
  • Sweetener (simple syrup, maple syrup, honey, or sugar)
  • Ice (lots of it)
  • Cocoa powder (for mocha)
  • Vanilla extract (optional but adds nice depth)
  • Salt (a pinch balances bitterness)
  • Whipped cream (optional garnish)
  • Chocolate chips or chocolate sauce (optional for mocha or drizzle)
  • Cinnamon or cardamom (optional spice twist)
  • Water (filtered if possible)

Method
 

  1. Make Cold Brew Concentrate (Base Option): Add 1 cup coarsely ground coffee to a large jar. Pour in 4 cups cold water. Stir, cover, and steep 12–18 hours in the fridge. Strain through a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter. Store in a bottle or jar. Ratio to use: 1 part concentrate to 2–3 parts water or milk.
  2. Quick Iced Coffee (If You’re in a Hurry): Brew strong hot coffee (about double strength). Chill briefly or pour over a cup packed with ice. Sweeten with simple syrup so it dissolves easily. Add milk to taste.
  3. Iced Latte: Fill a glass with ice. Add 1/2 cup cold brew concentrate or 1–2 shots of chilled espresso. Top with 1/2–3/4 cup cold milk. Sweeten to taste (1–2 teaspoons simple syrup). Stir and finish with a pinch of salt to round the flavor.
  4. Mocha Iced Latte: Stir 1–2 teaspoons cocoa powder with 1 tablespoon hot water and 1–2 teaspoons sugar until smooth. Add to your iced latte base and stir well. Optional: drizzle chocolate sauce on the glass.
  5. Blended Mocha Frappe: In a blender, combine 1 cup ice, 1/2 cup cold brew concentrate, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1–2 tablespoons sugar or syrup, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth and frothy. Top with whipped cream if you like.
  6. Simple Syrup (Quick Sweetener): Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small jar. Microwave or heat until sugar dissolves. Cool and store in the fridge up to 2 weeks.
  7. Flavor Boosters: Add a dash of cinnamon, a few drops of vanilla, or a splash of maple syrup. For a caramel vibe, stir in a spoonful of caramel sauce. For a lighter drink, use more ice and water, less milk.
  8. Make It Protein-Packed: Blend 1/2 cup cold brew, 1 cup ice, 3/4 cup milk, 1 scoop vanilla or chocolate protein powder, and sweetener to taste. Adjust ice for thickness.