Despite half the year being taken up by summer here in Austin, it is, for all intents and purposes, a coffee town.
We have cozy, hidden away coffee shops with cushy couches and soft lighting; we have modern and minimalist coffee houses with sharp edges and cool gray work surfaces; and of course, we have plenty of coffee spots that are primarily outdoor seating beneath the shade of giant oaks.
With all of this coffee fanaticism going on in such a hot city, many die-hard coffee fans turn toward frozen and iced drinks when the temperatures rise.
We've already given our two cents on the 10 best coffee shops in the city; so here we're going to zoom in on the 10 best cold coffee drinks in the city this summer.
The Iced Bennu is essential. 'Nuff said.Photo from Bennu Coffee Facebook
Iced Bennu at Bennu Coffee
Multiple locations
For those with a sweet tooth only, the Iced Bennu is a pecan-flavored cold brew, filled with sugar and creamy with condensed milk. The barista at Bennu East mentions this is their most popular cold drink — but that it's almost like a dessert. Even better, for those who want their dessert coffee at 3 am, Bennu is one of the few remaining 24 hour businesses in town. ($4.75-$5.25)
The Belgian at Jo's Coffee
Multiple Locations
Jo's Coffee has a signature iced turbo drink that is chock-full of sugar, chocolate, hazelnut, and cream. The Belgian is this iced turbo drink mixed with cold brew, which tamps down some of that cloying sweetness. ($4.25-$5)
The Heirloom Nitro Snap Chill at Proud Mary
2043 S. Lamar Blvd.
Nitro snap chill coffee is an interesting mix of snap chill — made by rapidly chilling freshly brewed coffee — and nitrogen infusion. This leads to a smooth, creamy, naturally sweet coffee with an almost beer-like appearance. Proud Mary's Heirloom nitro snap chill is made with an Ethiopian roast, apricot, and milk chocolate, and according to the website is "creamy AF." ($6)
Houndstooth cold brew coffee.Photo from Yelp user Andrew U.
Cold Brew at Houndstooth Coffee
Multiple Locations
For those who want to keep it simple, you can't really go wrong with a high-quality cold brew. That is exactly what is offered up at Houndstooth Coffee at their now five locations all over town. Keep it black or add on extras like almond, soy, or oat milk, various flavors, or syrups. ($4.53 without any extras)
The Percolator at Juiceland
Multiple Locations
The Percolator may technically be a smoothie, but it does include a good amount of cold brew for that mid-day pick-me-up. Ingredients include almond milk, banana, cold brew coffee, cacao, and cinnamon. This cold drink is not only stimulating (cacao is another energizer), but also full of nutrients and antioxidants. ($6.95-$9.95)
Cosmic Comet at Cosmic Coffee
121 Pickle Rd. and 1300 E. 4th St.
The Cosmic Comet is a delightful blend of Cosmic's signature cold brew and Mexican vanilla, orange honey, and oak milk. This delicious dessert of a drink is available both iced and hot — though with limited indoor and air conditioned seating, we think you'll want to get this one on ice. ($5.50-$6)
The iced upsidedown latte from Austin's new La La Land Kind Cafe. Photo from La La Land Kind Cafe Facebook
Iced Upsidedown Latte at La La Land Kind Cafe
1400 S. Congress Ave. Ste. A102
La La Land Kind Cafe is a coffee shop that gives back to the foster care system and it just opened on South Congress, marking its first Austin location. The menu is made up of coffees, signature fruit drinks, and all sorts of creative takes on avocado toast. As far as cold coffees go, we love their iced "upsidedown" latte, made with espresso or matcha, vanilla, and a caramel drizzle. ($6.90)
Spring Blossom Latte on Ice at Radio
Multiple Locations
Radio's Spring Blossom Latte is traditionally a hot drink, but during the summer months, we'd ask for it on ice. It includes a sweet blend of espresso, honey lavender rose syrup, and a milk (or faux milk) of choice. ($6.50)
Iced Mojo at Epoch Coffee
Multiple Locations
Epoch's Iced Mojo is a sweet alternative to a strong cold brew. It's their signature cold brew, plus some sweetened milk, plus some other mystery ingredients, which are apparently a secret as discussed on this Reddit thread. Whatever they're putting in there, it makes for a super sweet jolt of energy. ($3.75)
Bottomless Iced Coffee at Mozart's Coffee Roasters
3825 Lake Austin Blvd.
If a never-ending supply of cold brew coffee sounds good (if not a little dangerous), Mozart's is the spot to go. This chill spot right on Lake Austin is a favorite for many students and remote workers who park themselves there for hours on end. So why not drink endless amounts of iced cold brew? ($3.25)