Your Summer Coffee guide: Iced Brews, Cold Brew & Refreshing Recipes
As the days get longer and temperatures rise, there’s no better time to explore the world of chilled coffee. Whether you’re a dedicated espresso lover or looking for something lighter and more refreshing, this Iced Coffee Guide will help you discover the best ways to enjoy coffee throughout the summer.
From classic iced coffees to smooth cold brew and simple café-style recipes you can make at home, we’ve got everything you need to stay cool while enjoying exceptional coffee.
What’s the Difference Between Iced Coffee and Cold Brew?
Many people use the terms interchangeably, but iced coffee and cold brew are actually quite different.
Iced Coffee
Iced coffee is brewed hot and then cooled before being poured over ice. This method retains the bright, vibrant flavours of the coffee and creates a refreshing drink with plenty of character.
It’s perfect when you want a quick, chilled coffee without waiting hours for brewing.
Cold Brew
Cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for 12-24 hours. The slow extraction process produces a smoother, sweeter flavour profile with lower acidity and a naturally rich body.
Cold brew is ideal for hot summer mornings and can be enjoyed black, over ice, or with milk.
How to Make the Perfect Iced Coffee at Home
One of the easiest ways to enjoy speciality coffee during summer is with a simple iced coffee.
What You’ll Need
- Freshly brewed Bristol Twenty Coffee
- Ice cubes
- Your favourite milk (optional)
- A glass
Method
- Brew your coffee slightly stronger than normal.
- Allow it to cool for a few minutes.
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour the coffee over the ice.
- Add milk if desired and enjoy.
For the best flavour, choose coffees with chocolate, caramel or fruit-forward tasting notes, which shine when served cold.
Easy Cold Brew Recipe
Making cold brew at home couldn’t be simpler.
Ingredients
- 100g coarsely ground coffee
- 1 litre cold filtered water
Method
- Combine coffee and water in a large jar or container.
- Stir gently to ensure all grounds are saturated.
- Leave to steep in the fridge for 12-24 hours.
- Strain through a coffee filter or fine sieve.
- Serve over ice.
The result is a smooth, refreshing concentrate that can be diluted with water, milk or even tonic water for a unique summer drink.
Refreshing Summer Coffee Recipes
Iced Vanilla Latte
A café favourite that’s easy to recreate at home.
- Double espresso
- Ice
- Cold milk
- 1 tsp vanilla syrup
Pour the espresso over ice, add vanilla syrup and top with milk.
Affogato
Perfect for warm evenings.
- One scoop vanilla ice cream
- Fresh espresso
Pour the espresso directly over the ice cream and serve immediately.
Choosing the Right Coffee for Summer
Not all coffees perform the same when served cold. For the best results, look for coffees with:
- Sweet chocolate notes
- Caramel flavours
- Berry or citrus characteristics
- Balanced acidity
Freshly roasted specialty coffee creates cleaner, sweeter iced drinks and helps every flavour stand out.
Your Ultimate Iced Coffee Guide This Summer
Summer coffee is all about experimenting and finding your perfect chilled brew. Whether you prefer a bright iced coffee, a smooth cold brew, or creative recipes like coffee tonic and affogato, there are countless ways to enjoy specialty coffee during the warmer months.
With quality beans and a little creativity, you can bring café-quality summer drinks into your own kitchen.
Ready to put this Iced Coffee Guide into practice? Explore our range of freshly roasted specialty coffees and find the perfect beans for iced coffee, cold brew and all your summer brewing adventures.
Shop our coffee and enjoy exceptional flavour all summer long.