Iced coffee season is well and truly here, and with temperatures soaring across the UK, Google searches for ‘iced coffee recipe’ have risen by 4900% in the last two weeks. On TikTok, #icedcoffee has nine billion views. That’s a whole lot of ice cubes needing to be frozen…
However, it’s not just your usual iced lattes people are coveting this year. The latest trending drinks of the summery caffeinated variety are more refreshing and far more interesting then just milk, coffee and ice.
With innovative and refreshing concoctions to beat the heat, and with the help of the experts at Little Fin Coffee Roastery, here are the top trending coffees to try this summer.
Espresso & Tonic
Bolder, bubblier and stronger than a traditional iced coffee, the espresso & tonic took off a few years ago and is still one of the biggest trends for this summer.
We know that coffee and fizzy water might not seem the most appealing combination, but seriously, don’t knock it until you’ve tired it.
It’s very simple; espresso, ice, and tonic water. The bitterness of the tonic perfectly balances the natural acidity of the espresso, resulting in a refreshing drink with just a slight fizz.
Coca-Coffee
Want to try the sparkling espresso trend, but too much of a sweet tooth for tonic water? A coca-coffee is for you; freshly brewed espresso over ice and topped up with coke.
With a double whammy of caffeine, this one isn’t for the faint-hearted. In 2021 Coca-Cola actually introduced coke with coffee into the American market in a variety of flavours including vanilla and caramel. Though it was discontinued in the US, it is still available in 30 markets around the world, including Australia, Brazil, Vietnam, Turkey and Italy.
Here in the UK the product hasn’t – and maybe never will – hit our shelves. Best make your own, then!
Espresso Spritz
The espresso spritz is an elevated take on the espresso and tonic trend, with the addition of freshly squeezed orange juice taking things up a notch further still. This refreshing combination blends the bitterness of espresso with the effervescence of tonic water, creating a harmonious interplay between bold flavours and crisp carbonation, the natural sugars in orange juice helping balance the bitterness of the coffee. On the very hottest of days, it’s a significantly more refreshing alternative to an iced latte, which can be a little cloying when the sun’s burning bright.
Here at IDEAL we’d recommend seeking out members of the mandarin family like clementine or tangerine juice to use in your espresso spritz. They are slightly sweeter and less acidic than oranges and, in our humble opinion, make for a superior espresso spritz experience.
We also love a passion fruit espresso spritz. Oh, and if you’re after the perfect brunch cocktail, then add a shot of liqueur to your espresso spritz.; a citrus-based liqueur is ideally suited here.
Ube Iced Coffee
Ube is a type of yam, popular in Filipino deserts, with a slightly nutty, vanilla taste, and bright purple colour. Its flavour goes perfectly with coffee, and variations of ube iced lattes are all over TikTok.
A popular recipe uses ube flavouring and milk to create a very aesthetically-pleasing, lilac coloured cold foam to pour over iced espresso and sweet condensed milk. We just love it.
Mint Iced Latte
Mint choc chip has long been a summer ice cream favourite, and, according to IDFA (International Dairy Food Association), it’s actually the tenth most popular flavour of ice cream in the world. Here in the UK, it’s the fourth most loved. It’s no wonder that mint iced coffee is taking the world by storm, then.
Whether you go for a mint choc chip mocha vibe, or muddle mint leaves and brown sugar like a mojito to mix with your espresso, mint brings out the smoothest notes in your coffee to make the perfect iced latte. Mine’s a double, please!