10+ Cold Coffee Recipes to Keep You Refreshed and Energized This Summer

Cold coffee just hits different when the weather warms up. It’s a popular way to enjoy your favorite drink, especially if you’re craving something refreshing and a bit of a pick-me-up.

Whether you like your coffee sweet, creamy, or super simple, there’s a cold coffee recipe out there for you. Tastes differ, but there’s no shortage of easy ways to whip up a glass at home.

Cold coffee recipes let you make tasty iced drinks at home with simple ingredients. You probably already have most things you need in your kitchen.

Ingredients:

• Coffee
• Milk or cream
• Sugar or sweetener
• Ice cubes

Cooking Instructions:

1. Brew coffee and let it cool.
2. Fill a glass with ice cubes.
3. Pour the cooled coffee over the ice.
4. Add milk or cream as you like.
5. Sweeten with sugar or your favorite sweetener.
6. Stir well and enjoy.

1) Classic Iced Coffee with Milk and Sugar

Classic iced coffee is quick and easy. Brew a strong cup of coffee, then let it cool to room temperature or toss it in the fridge.

Fill a glass with plenty of ice. Pour the cooled coffee over the cubes.

Add milk or cream—regular milk, half-and-half, oat, whatever you like. Sweeten it with sugar, simple syrup, or even sweetened condensed milk.

Stir it up, taste it, and tweak the milk or sugar until it’s just right for you.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brewed coffee (cooled)
• Ice cubes
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half
• 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar or sweetener

Cooking Instructions

1. Brew coffee and let it cool to about 70°F (21°C).
2. Fill a glass with ice cubes.
3. Pour coffee over the ice.
4. Add milk or half-and-half.
5. Stir in sugar or sweetener until dissolved.
6. Taste and add more milk or sugar if needed.
7. Serve immediately.

Check out the Love and Lemons iced coffee recipe for a simple version.

2) Iced Caramel Macchiato

An iced caramel macchiato is super easy and always tastes like a treat. Start with vanilla syrup in your glass.

Add cold milk, then fill it with ice. Pour freshly brewed espresso slowly over the milk so you get those cool layers.

Drizzle caramel sauce on top for sweetness and a little drama. Use regular milk or swap in a non-dairy option if that’s your thing.

This drink nails the balance of creamy, sweet, and bold coffee flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons vanilla syrup
• 6 ounces cold milk (150 ml)
• 1 shot espresso (about 1 ounce or 30 ml)
• Ice cubes
• Caramel sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Add vanilla syrup to a glass.
2. Pour in cold milk.
3. Add ice cubes to fill the glass.
4. Slowly pour espresso over the milk.
5. Drizzle caramel sauce on top.
6. Stir gently before drinking if you want.

Find more detailed instructions in this iced caramel macchiato recipe.

3) Cold Brew Coffee

Cold brew is all about patience. You steep coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for 12 to 24 hours.

This slow process makes a smooth, less bitter coffee concentrate. Serve it over ice and adjust the strength with milk or water.

Cold brew is perfect if you want a refreshing coffee without the bite of hot-brewed coffee. You don’t need fancy equipment—just a jar works.

Ingredients

• 1 cup coarsely ground coffee beans
• 4 cups cold water

Cooking Instructions

1. Add coffee grounds to a large jar.
2. Pour cold water over the grounds and stir gently.
3. Cover and steep at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours.
4. Strain the coffee concentrate through a fine mesh or coffee filter.
5. Serve over ice, dilute with milk or water if you want.

Learn how to make cold brew coffee here.

4) Iced Latte with Vanilla Syrup

Iced lattes with vanilla syrup are easy and always hit the spot. Brew strong coffee or espresso for a good base.

Add your favorite milk or milk alternative. Pour everything over ice.

A splash of vanilla syrup gives it a smooth, sweet kick. You can use store-bought syrup or make your own.

Stir it up and sip away. It’s creamy but not too heavy—kind of the best of both worlds.

Ingredients

• 2 shots espresso or 1 cup strong coffee
• 6 oz milk or milk alternative
• 0.5 to 1 oz vanilla syrup
• Ice

Cooking Instructions

1. Brew your espresso or strong coffee and let it cool.
2. Fill a glass with ice.
3. Pour coffee over the ice.
4. Add milk.
5. Stir in vanilla syrup to taste.
6. Mix well and serve right away.

5) Iced Shaken Espresso Latte

The Iced Shaken Espresso Latte is fast and so refreshing. Brew a strong espresso shot and toss in a little sweetener if you want.

Shake espresso with ice to chill it and get it frothy. Pour the shaken espresso over fresh ice in your glass.

Top it off with milk—almond, oat, regular, whatever you like. It’s smooth, cool, and delivers a solid caffeine boost.

Ingredients

• 2 shots of espresso
• 1-2 teaspoons brown sugar or sweetener
• 6-8 ice cubes
• 1/2 cup milk (your choice)

Cooking Instructions

1. Brew 2 shots of espresso (around 175°F / 80°C).
2. Add espresso and sweetener to a shaker filled with ice.
3. Shake hard for about 30 seconds.
4. Pour the shaken espresso over fresh ice in a glass.
5. Add milk on top and stir gently.

6) Instant Coffee Iced Drink

Instant coffee is perfect for when you need cold coffee, like, now. Mix instant coffee with a little hot water so it dissolves.

Add cold water or milk and ice cubes. Stir it well to chill everything.

Adjust the sweetness with sugar or your favorite sweetener. Use cold milk or plant-based milk if you want it creamier.

Ingredients

• 1 to 1.5 teaspoons instant coffee
• 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
• 3/4 cup hot water (about 140°F or 60°C)
• 3/4 cup cold water or milk
• Ice cubes

Cooking Instructions

1. Add instant coffee and sugar to a glass.
2. Pour in hot water and stir until dissolved.
3. Add cold water or milk.
4. Fill the glass with ice cubes.
5. Stir again and enjoy.

Check out the Instant Iced Coffee Recipe for a quick guide.

7) Vietnamese Iced Coffee with Sweetened Condensed Milk

Vietnamese iced coffee is rich and sweet, and honestly, kind of addictive. Brew strong coffee slowly and mix it with sweetened condensed milk.

Add the condensed milk to your glass first. Brew coarse ground coffee right over it using a drip filter or French press.

Stir the coffee and milk mixture well. Pour it over ice to keep things nice and cold.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons coarse ground coffee (espresso roast)
• 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
• 8 oz hot water (about 200°F / 93°C)
• Ice cubes

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water and let it cool slightly to 200°F (93°C).
2. Add sweetened condensed milk to a tall glass.
3. Brew coffee slowly over the milk using a drip filter or French press.
4. Stir well.
5. Fill the glass with ice and enjoy.

More details in this Vietnamese iced coffee recipe.

8) Iced Mocha with Chocolate Syrup

If you’re craving coffee and chocolate, iced mocha is the answer. It’s a cold drink that blends strong coffee, milk, and sweet chocolate syrup.

Start with cold brewed or chilled espresso. Mix in chocolate syrup and milk.

Pour it all over ice. Top with whipped cream if you’re feeling fancy.

You get a smooth, sweet mocha flavor—no fancy machines needed. It’s a quick pick-me-up for any warm day.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cold brewed coffee or 1 shot espresso
• 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
• ¾ cup milk (any kind)
• Ice cubes
• Whipped cream (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Brew coffee or pull a shot of espresso and let it cool.
2. In a glass, combine cold coffee and chocolate syrup.
3. Add milk and stir well.
4. Fill the glass with ice cubes.
5. Top with whipped cream if you want.
6. Enjoy your iced mocha!

For more, check this iced mocha recipe.

9) Coffee Frappe with Ice Cream

Craving something cold and creamy? Try blending coffee and ice cream together for a coffee frappe that’s honestly hard to beat.

It’s quick to make and lets you play around with your favorite coffee or ice cream flavors. I mean, why not use what you love?

Start with strong brewed coffee or cold brew—whatever you have on hand. Add some ice cubes and a splash of milk for that smooth texture.

Blend it all up until it’s thick and creamy. Give it a taste, and if you want it sweeter, toss in a little sweetener.

Ingredients

• 1 cup strong brewed or cold-brew coffee
• 1 cup coffee ice cream
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Sweetener (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Brew coffee and let it cool.
2. Place coffee, ice cream, milk, and ice cubes in a blender.
3. Blend until smooth and creamy.
4. Taste and add sweetener if needed.
5. Pour into a glass and enjoy.

10) Cold Coffee with Cardamom and Milk

If you want something a little different, mix cold brew coffee with milk and a bit of cardamom.

The cardamom brings this warm, spicy kick that makes the drink stand out. Cold brew keeps it super smooth, so you won’t get that bitterness.

Just stir a pinch or two of ground cardamom into your cold brew. Pour in your favorite milk—dairy or plant-based, whatever feels right.

Sweeten it up if you like, using syrup or sugar. Serve it over ice cubes for a really refreshing sip.

For a fancier touch, try topping it with cardamom-flavored whipped cream. Not necessary, but hey, sometimes you want to treat yourself.

Ingredients

• ½ cup cold brew coffee
• ¼ cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
• Sweetener to taste
• 3-4 ice cubes

Cooking Instructions

1. Pour cold brew coffee into a glass.

2. Stir in ground cardamom.

3. Add milk and sweetener.

4. Mix everything well so it’s all combined.

5. Toss in a few ice cubes.

6. Serve right away. Enjoy!

If you want more details or ideas, check out My Heart Beets for some great cardamom cold brew recipes.