​Cool Coffee Drinks for Not-So-Cool Summer Days

It seems like no matter how you slice it, the summer months are hot and busy. Whether you’re a parent with kids out of school, a college student working two summer jobs or a fan preparing to spend hours in the heat at an outdoor sporting event, you could use a pick-me-up.

Stay refreshed and energized on hot summer days with these cool coffee drinks.

When you want something strong: Vietnamese iced coffee

This little coffee number packs a punch, and in the middle of a long day, this powerful drink will get you back on track. You’ll need:

⅔ cup of the darkest coffee you can brew

2-3 tablespoons of condensed milk

1 cup of coffee ice cubes

Prep your ice cubes by brewing coffee and adding it to an ice tray to freeze (Bonus tip: Keep a tray of these around and add to any iced coffee drink for a pure coffee flavor). Prep one cup of the frozen cubes in a glass. Pour your coffee over the cubes, and finally, add your condensed milk. Stir to combine.

Your poolside companion: Iced coffee with mint and honey

Talk about refreshing! This is a delicious go-to option for when you’ve been out in the sun. Simply gather up:

1 cup of ice cubes

½ cup of 1% milk (optional)

5 large mint leaves (plus extra for garnish)

1/2 cup of strongly brewed coffee

1/2 tablespoon of clover honey

Muddle your mint. In a separate cup, stir the honey into your hot coffee. Then, combine the two. If you want to, you can add milk. Stir for 10 seconds to infuse the flavors. Pour over ice using a strainer and voilà! You’ve got the perfect light break in your hot day that will keep you going. Don’t forget some mint leaves for garnish!

When your day’s been a little sour: Sweet vanilla iced coffee

Even when the sun is shining bright, you’ll run into some tough days. This is a great option for when you need a burst of sweetness to get you back on track. This easy prep is headache-free.

1 cup of strongly brewed coffee

2-3 tablespoons of half-and-half

1 tablespoon of vanilla simple syrup

A splash of almond extract

Ice (as desired)

Brew your coffee the night before, and chill it in the fridge. If you’re making this on the fly, simply brew hot coffee, but give it a little time to cool after you’ve combined all the ingredients. Next, fill a glass with ice. Pour the coffee and the rest of your ingredients over ice, and stir.

When you’re entertaining guests: Jamaican iced coffee

Friends will love the double buzz of Jamaican iced coffee.

1 ounce of dark rum

1 ounce of coffee liqueur

3/4 ounce of whipped cream

4 ounces of hot black coffee (We love Marley coffee for this recipe.)

Crushed ice

To garnish: coffee beans, mint sprigs, straws

Add the rum, coffee liqueur, coffee and whipped cream together in shaker to mix. Pour through a strainer into a glass with the crushed ice. Garnish with a few coffee beans and mint sprigs, and toss in a straw.

If you need a coffee nightcap: The affogato

A classic Italian favorite, this is coffee-meets-desert, and you should treat yourself! If you’re the kind of person who needs that post-dinner boost, try this delicious ice cream and coffee combination. The preparation for this treat is simple.

1 scoop of vanilla ice cream or gelato

1/3 cup of strongly brewed coffee

Add a scoop of ice cream or gelato to a bowl. Pour the hot coffee on top. Eat with a spoon. Can’t you just feel yourself on the shores of Napoli?

Don’t let that heat get you down. These drinks will help you stay cool, feel energized and keep your taste buds happy!