Types of Cold Coffee Drinks: A Quick Guide to Chilled Brews
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If you’re looking to expand your repertoire of cold coffee drinks, you’ll notice there’s more to it than just adding ice to your regular cup of coffee (though sometimes that IS all there is to it!).
With tons of unique recipes from across the globe, not to mention all the flavor variations it’s easy to get lost in the wide variety of chilling combinations.
Let’s jump right into the list:
Iced Coffee
Iced Coffee is brewed hot and then cooled before adding ice for serving.
Variations of Iced Coffee
- Add spices and flavors like vanilla, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, or mint
- Add milk, condensed milk, or non-dairy alternatives
- Add flavored sweeteners or creamers, including honey, caramel, or chocolate syrup. Note: syrups will dissolve best if added before the coffee cools down
- Add fruits like pumpkin, blueberry, bananas, strawberry or raspberry
Cold Brew
Cold Brew Coffee is brewed at room temperature or cooler for several hours.
Variations of Cold Brew Coffee
- Anything you can add to iced coffee (see list above) you can also add to cold brew
- Mix with lemonade or tonic water
- Mix with alcohol like Kahlua or Irish Cream
- Add cold foam or sweet cream in any flavor you wish
Nitro Cold Brew Coffee
Nitro Cold Brew Coffee is cold brew infused with nitrogen, which adds a creamy, frothy texture reminiscent of a draught beer.
Variations of Nitro Cold Brew Coffee
Honestly this is smooth and creamy all on its own, but if you must, you can do all the same things as you can with cold brew coffee.
Iced Americano
Iced Americano is made when a shot or two of espresso is brewed hot and then combined with water and ice. Bold flavor with a hint of crema from the espresso.
Variations of Iced Americanos
Iced Americano’s are often served black. You could add any dairy or non-dairy milks or creams, as well as any sweeteners, including flavored syrups.
Iced Latte
An Iced Latte is a combination of espresso, milk, and ice. Use 2 parts milk to 1 part espresso.
Variations of Iced Lattes
- Flavor the milk (or milk substitute) by infusing it with vanilla, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, or any other flavor you like
- Use flavored sweeteners like honey, almond, brown sugar, or chocolate syrup
- Add flavored creamers such as caramel, hazelnut, pistachio, or pumpkin
- Adding chocolate syrup turns this into an Iced Mocha
Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Vietnamese Iced Coffee is a sweet, strong, and creamy drink. It’s made with strong coffee and sweetened condensed milk. The bold coffee flavors and the rich sweetness create an indulgent beverage perfect for hot days. Is traditionally made hot, but is wonderful iced as well.
Iced Macchiato
The icy version of a macchiato has a distinctive layered look, with milk poured over ice and topped with shots of espresso. Macchiato means “stained” in Italian and the look of the espresso drizzling into the milk creates the look of dripping paint.
Variations of Iced Macchiatos
These can be flavored like any other milk and coffee combo such as the iced latte. Two of the most popular variations are Caramel and Hazelnut.
Iced Cappucino/Cappucino Freddo
Although cappuccinos are traditionally served hot, they can also be enjoyed cold by using cold frothed milk and iced coffee. The result has that signature foamy texture hot cappuccinos are known for.
Variations of Iced Cappucino
These can also be flavored with creamers and syrups like caramel, hazelnut, almond, Irish Cream, pumpkin, toasted coconut and more.
Frappe
Aka the Frappuccino. One of my favourite cold coffee drinks. This is a blended treat is made from ice, coffee, milk, and flavored syrups, & often topped with whipped cream.
Variations of Frappes
Substitute some of the milk with flavored creamers, or add caramel syrup or chocolate syrup. A few drops of peppermint extract and you have a mint frappe.
The following cold coffee drinks are usually served as is, but you are welcome to add any flavors you wish.
Dalgona
Dalgona: Dalgona Coffee gained popularity through social media, and it’s a fun, photogenic cold coffee drink. It’s made by whipping instant coffee, sugar, and hot water until it forms a fluffy, creamy texture, then pouring it over milk and ice.
Affogato
Affogato: Affogato is an Italian dessert that combines a scoop of sweet vanilla gelato with a shot of piping hot espresso poured over it. The contrasting temperatures and flavors make this a perfect pick-me-up treat after a meal.
Iced Espresso
Iced Espresso: Typically served as a hot shot, this coffee concentrate can also be poured over ice, creating iced espresso. This cold concoction maintains the intense flavor and strong caffeine kick you’d expect from your beloved espresso. Unlike the Iced Americano, no extra water is added.
Shakerato
Shakerato or Shaken Espresso: Espresso is shaken with ice and sugar until it becomes frothy. The result is a delightfully cold, sweet, and foamy espresso shot. Dress it up by serving it in a martini glass
Mocktails
Mocktails: Coffee or espresso can be combined with tonic water or lemonade to create a non-alcoholic treat.
Cocktails
Cocktails: Get boozy by adding liqueurs and other alcohols to coffee. Irish Cream, Chocolate liqueur, vodka, and Kahlua are just a few mixers that go well with coffee.
More Ideas for Cold Coffee
The following drinks, although more commonly served hot, can also be enjoyed over ice or cold:
- Cortado: Equal parts espresso and steamed milk.
- Flat White: A double espresso shot with microfoam milk.
- Red Eye: A bold drink combining drip coffee with a single espresso shot.
- Black Eye: Similar to Red Eye, but with two espresso shots.
- Doppio: A double shot of espresso, perfect for coffee purists.
- Breve: An espresso with equal parts steamed half-and-half, creating a rich café experience.
- Lungo: An elongated espresso shot, providing a smoother sip than a regular espresso.
- Bicerin: An Italian drink with layers of chocolate, espresso, and whipped cream.
- Galão: A Portuguese beverage made from espresso and foamed milk.
