When the weather heats up, nothing hits the spot like a refreshing iced coffee. From a classic cold brew to a rich Indonesian avocado-coffee shake, these chilled drinks are perfect for staying cool all summer long.
As temperatures climb, even the most devoted hot coffee fans start reaching for something colder. And honestly, there’s nothing better than sipping on an icy, caffeinated drink—especially if you’re trying to beat the heat without air conditioning.
You don’t need fancy equipment to make great cold coffee at home either. Most of these recipes are simple and require minimal tools—sometimes just a jar or shaker. Here are some of the best iced coffee drinks to try:
Cold Brew Iced Coffee
Cold brew is incredibly easy and mostly hands-off. Just mix coarsely ground coffee with water in a large container, cover, and let it steep overnight at room temperature. After 8–12 hours, strain it through a fine sieve or filter and chill it in the fridge.
The result is a smooth, slightly sweet concentrate with low acidity. Serve it over ice and dilute with water, milk, or plant-based alternatives like oat milk.
Japanese-Style Iced Coffee
This method involves brewing hot coffee directly over ice, which cools it instantly and locks in bright, fresh flavors.
Use the right ratio of coffee, water, and ice (a kitchen scale helps), and bloom the grounds before brewing for better taste. In just a few minutes, you’ll have a crisp, aromatic iced coffee that many prefer over cold brew when drinking it black.
Indonesian Avocado Coffee Shake (Jus Alpukat)
This creamy and indulgent drink combines avocado, milk, and sweetened condensed milk for richness. Add a strong coffee like espresso to a caffeinated kick.
You can easily adjust the texture and sweetness—add, add more milk for a lighter consistency, reduce condensed milk if you prefer less sugar, or include extra ice for a frostier drink. A drizzle of chocolate syrup makes it even more decadent.
Greek Frappé
A classic Greek favorite, this frothy iced coffee uses instant coffee and water as its base. Shake them together until a thick foam forms, then add ice and shake again to build even more foam.
Pour into a glass, top with water and ice, and optionally add sugar or a splash of evaporated milk for sweetness.
Caffè Shakerato
This Italian-style drink is made by shaking espresso, sugar, and ice together until smooth and frothy. The shaking process creates a silky texture with a light foam on top.
Serve it in a chilled glass for a simple yet elegant iced coffee. For a twist, you can even add a splash of liqueur.
Coffee-Cinnamon Horchata
This twist on traditional horchata blends rice, almonds, coffee, and cinnamon. After soaking overnight, the mixture is blended again and strained to create a smooth, flavorful drink.
Sweeten with agave or your preferred sweetener, then serve over ice for a unique and refreshing coffee beverage.
Coffee, Banana, and Hazelnut Shake
This hearty shake is perfect for breakfast or a midday boost. Freeze ripe bananas ahead of time and soak hazelnuts overnight so they blend smoothly.
Combine them with chilled coffee in a blender for a creamy, nutty drink that’s both filling and energizing.
With these easy recipes, you can enjoy a wide range of iced coffee drinks at home—from light and refreshing to rich and indulgent. Whether you’re starting your morning or cooling off in the afternoon, there’s a perfect cold coffee option for every craving.
