When the heat hits, we all want something cool, easy, and packed with flavor. Iced coffee? Always a solid move. But hot coffee lovers, don’t worry, we’ve got something for you. There are plenty of summer flavors that work just as well steaming as they do chilled.

So if you’re craving something refreshing but still want that coffee kick, here are our top picks for summer coffee flavors to try.

Our Favorite Summer Coffee Flavors

We’ve got to start with the hits. These are our summer coffee specials. So if you’re anywhere near a Canal Coffee, make sure to stop by and try them.

Cherry Cola Cold Brew

This one’s for the flavor chasers. We take our smooth black cold brew and infuse it with cherry and amaretto syrup to bring that nostalgic cherry cola vibe with a caffeinated twist. Add cream if you want it silky or sip it straight for a sharper edge.

Cold brew’s smooth profile is what makes it so versatile for custom flavors—curious why it’s so different from espresso? It’s all in the brewing method.

Choc Mac Brew

Dairy-free but full-on indulgent. We combine chocolate macadamia nut syrup with cold brew and a splash of macadamia milk. It’s rich, nutty, slightly sweet, and seriously addictive. No cream needed. It’s a coffee, but it tastes like a dessert.

Triple C Cold Brew

Mix cold brew and caramel syrup, and top it with salted caramel cold foam. To make things perfect, finish with a caramel drizzle. Cold, creamy, and over-the-top in the best way.

Caffogato

Our frozen espresso is blended with your favorite sauce (we like to use mocha, white mocha, caramel, salted caramel, or pumpkin), then topped with whipped cream and a drizzle. It’s coffee, it’s dessert, it’s the kind of treat that makes your whole day better.

Lavender Honey Oat Milk

Light and floral with just enough sweetness. We blend espresso with lavender and honey, then pair it with oat milk served hot or iced.

8 DIY Summer Coffee Recipes

Want that summer coffee magic without leaving home? We’ve got you. These are easy summer coffee flavors that are easy to make. Most of these recipes start with cold brew as the base—if you don’t have a batch made, here’s our step-by-step guide to making cold brew from scratch.

Coconut Cloud Cold Brew

Tropical, creamy, and dairy-free.

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup strong cold brew
• 1/2 cup chilled full-fat coconut milk
• 1 tbsp coconut syrup
• Optional: toasted coconut flakes

How to make it:

• Pour cold brew over ice.
• Froth coconut milk with coconut syrup until thick and foamy.
• Spoon the “cloud” on top. Finish with coconut flakes if you’re feeling fancy.

Peach Yuzu Espresso Tonic

Bright stone-fruit meets zingy citrus.

What you’ll need:

• 2 oz hot espresso
• 1/2 cup chilled tonic water
• 2 tsp white peach syrup
• 2 tsp yuzu pineapple syrup
• Ice and a peach slice

How to make it:

• Fill a glass with ice and tonic.
• Stir in both syrups.
• Slowly pour espresso over the back of a spoon to float it.
• Garnish with a peach slice. Sip before you stir.

Tahini Coffee Slushy

Nutty, plant-based, and brain-freeze refreshing.

What you’ll need:

• 3/4 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
• 1 tbsp tahini
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 8-10 oat milk ice cubes

How to make it:

• Freeze oat milk into cubes ahead of time.
• Blend coffee, tahini, maple syrup, cardamom, and ice until slushy.
• Serve in a chilled glass with a wide straw.

Strawberry Cream Cold Brew

Tastes like berries and cream over ice.

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup cold brew
• 2 tbsp strawberry jam or puree
• 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half

How to make it:

• Stir jam into cold brew until dissolved
• Add ice
• Float milk on top

Watermelon Mint Iced Coffee

Sweet melon cools bold coffee.

What you’ll need:

• 3/4 cup chilled filter coffee
• 1/2 cup watermelon juice
• Fresh mint leaves
• Ice

How to make it:

• Lightly muddle mint in a glass
• Add watermelon juice, coffee, and ice
• Stir to combine

Iced Cardamom Orange Latte

Bright citrus with aromatic spice.

What you’ll need:

• 2 oz espresso or moka-pot coffee
• 3/4 cup milk or oat milk
• 1 tbsp orange syrup or 1 tbsp marmalade
• Pinch of ground cardamom

How to make it:

• Shake milk, syrup, and cardamom with ice
• Strain into a glass of fresh ice
• Float espresso on top

Coconut Lime Latte

Creamy coconut plus zesty lime = seaside dessert vibes.

What you’ll need:

• Double shot espresso (2 oz)
• 3/4 cup steamed coconut milk
• 1 tbsp coconut syrup
• 2 drops lime extract or a pinch of fresh lime zest

How to make it:

• Pull espresso into a mug
• Stir in coconut syrup and lime
• Pour steamed coconut milk on top

Orange Blossom Americano

Bright and citrusy with zero dairy.

What you’ll need:

• 2 oz espresso
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 tsp orange blossom water
• Orange peel twist

How to make it:

• Combine espresso and hot water
• Stir in orange blossom water
• Express oils from the orange peel over the cup, then drop it in

Must-Have Summer Coffee Syrups

If you’re serious about making delicious, refreshing brews at home, these are summer coffee syrups that you should get:

Tropical Citrus

Product: Monin Yuzu Pineapple Syrup

A bright combo of tart yuzu and juicy pineapple that lights up iced Americanos and espresso tonics.

Juicy Stone Fruit

Product: Torani Puremade White Peach Syrup

Naturally sweet, clean peach flavor that plays perfectly with cold brew, black iced tea, or even lemonade.

Floral & Calming

Product: Monin Lavender Syrup (regular or sugar-free)

Adds a smooth, spa-like aroma to iced lattes, sweet cream cold foam, or shaken milk drinks. Pairs especially well with oat milk.

Beachy Coconut

Product: Torani Coconut Syrup

Instantly turns any iced coffee into a tropical escape. Think coffee-colada without the blender or booze.

Sweet-Salty Indulgence

Product: Torani Salted Caramel Syrup

Designed for dessert-style drinks. Use it in caramel cold foam, affogatos, or frappes when you want that sweet-and-salty hit.

Berry Twist

Product: Monin Blueberry Syrup

Adds fruity depth to lavender, lemon, or vanilla-forward drinks. Great for fruity iced lattes and cold brew spritzes.

Pure Yuzu Punch

Product: Monin Yuzu Puree

Tart, bright, and more intense than the syrup version. Ideal for bold citrus notes in espresso tonics or shaken iced drinks.

Final Thoughts

Summer coffee doesn’t have to be basic. With the right flavors, a few go-to syrups, and some easy at-home recipes, you can skip the ice cream line and turn your daily coffee into the best part of your summer. And if these seasonal flavors have you curious about other coffee variations to try year-round, there’s a whole world of latte styles beyond the basics that might surprise you.

FAQ

Do coffee and watermelon go well together?

Surprisingly, yes. Watermelon’s natural sweetness and light, refreshing profile can balance the boldness of coffee, especially in cold brews or iced filter coffee. Add some mint and you’ve got a summer-ready drink that’s juicy, cool, and way more interesting than another vanilla iced latte.

How does tonic water and coffee taste?

This combination is sharp, fizzy, and unexpectedly refreshing. The bitterness of tonic and the acidity of espresso actually complement each other, creating a crisp, citrusy flavor that cuts through the heat. It’s not for everyone, but if you like bold, sparkling drinks, coffee tonics are worth a shot.

What happens when you add citrus flavors to coffee?

You wake it up. Citrus adds brightness and lift to coffee, especially darker roasts. It sharpens the flavor, plays with the acidity, and makes hot or iced drinks taste lighter and more complex. Just don’t go overboard with it.