Cold coffee — the foundation of refreshment

There is one rule for making cold coffee: it should not be exhausting. After all, the kitchen has just reached a critical 37°C and we are beginning to melt onto the tiles — and it is only 8 a.m. We urgently need some refreshing coolness and caffeine to stir our remaining brain cells into action. Preferably in the form of chilled coffee in one of several remarkable variations.

Cold brew latte with a rose twist

Let us start with cold brew, coffee steeped in cold water and well loved throughout Poland. You can find the recipe here. For the lazy among us: simply cover coarsely ground coffee in a jar with lukewarm water, using the classic ratio of between 1:15 and 1:17. The next step comes about nine hours later, when we take the jar out of the fridge, strain the coffee and wonder what to do next. What indeed should we do with that beautifully rounded cold brew, steeped from Peruvian beans bursting with fruity goodness?

If the brew is fairly concentrated, combine it with cold-frothed milk, a few ice cubes and a touch of rose. How? Pour a little rose syrup into the bottom of a latte glass, add a few ice cubes and the frothed milk, then gently and slowly pour in your cold brew. You have our word that combining coffee with the aroma of petals from the “queen of flowers” will make you feel more cheerful about the day ahead.

A duo from Arizona: Sunrise Coffee

This may be an unusual pairing, but the recipe combines two favourites from every good hotel breakfast we enjoy on holiday. Sweet, thick orange juice topped with a layer of dark espresso and a few ice cubes is an unexpected but effective way to get a refreshing caffeine boost on a hot morning. Yes, you read that correctly: people drink coffee with orange juice, and enthusiastically too. Where? In sun-soaked Arizona, as it turns out. The name Sunrise Coffee refers to the magical colours of coffee and juice, which look truly spectacular together in a tall glass.

Although coffee and orange juice are not an obvious duo, they deserve a chance. If the double dose of acidity from freshly squeezed orange and espresso is too much, add a little easy-going sweetness, such as a dash of salted caramel syrup. Be warned: this combination of three simple ingredients not only tastes good but looks very attractive in a tall long-drink glass!

Espresso tonic — refreshment with class

Espresso tonic, affectionately known in Polish as “kafetonik”, was our discovery of last summer. Do you love tonic's tart, lightly citrusy flavour and bubbles? Imagine enriching that distinctive taste with the fruitiness and sweetness of espresso as thick as cream. The result is stylish refreshment with a caffeine kick, a drink equally at home on your private yacht or your office desk. More importantly, you can make it with your eyes almost closed...

Making espresso tonic takes three moves: put a few ice cubes in a tall glass, pour in some tonic and add a serving of cooled espresso. Pour the coffee slowly in a thin stream. This creates layers, with the coffee floating above the clear tonic like a dark, caffeine-filled cloud.

Remember, the hot summer months are already appearing on the horizon: more Julys and Augusts whose average city temperatures threaten to melt us into liquid. Let us not give in! Stock up on refreshing iced coffee in whichever form you like, and together let us fight the heat with a caffeine shot!