Iced Coffee Around the World: Global Summer Refreshment

When summer temperatures rise, coffee lovers worldwide don't abandon their beloved brew – they simply cool it down. From the sweet, condensed-milk richness of Vietnamese cà phê đá to the simple elegance of Spanish café con hielo, cold coffee preparations reflect both cultural traditions and practical adaptations to warm weather. Join us on a global journey exploring how different cultures transform their coffee into refreshing summer delights.

Southeast Asia: Sweet and Strong

Vietnamese Cà Phê Đá

Vietnam's iconic iced coffee combines robustness with sweetness in perfect harmony. The preparation begins with a traditional phin filter – a small metal dripper placed atop a glass. Strong, dark-roasted coffee slowly drips through the phin, falling directly onto a generous layer of sweetened condensed milk. The resulting mixture is stirred and poured over ice, creating a bold yet sweet refreshment that's become world-famous.

The popularity of cà phê đá reflects Vietnam's colonial history with France, where coffee culture was introduced, then evolved into something distinctly Vietnamese. The use of sweetened condensed milk was a practical adaptation during times when fresh milk was scarce, becoming an essential part of the country's coffee identity.

Thai Oliang

Thailand's approach to iced coffee, known as oliang, brings together coffee, sugar, and various spices. Traditional oliang often includes cardamom, corn, soybeans, and sesame seeds, creating a complex flavor profile. It's typically prepared using a cloth filter bag (tungdtom) and served over ice with sweetened condensed milk or evaporated milk, sometimes with a splash of half and half for extra richness.

Mediterranean: Simple Elegance

Spanish Café Con Hielo

Spain's approach to iced coffee embodies simplicity. Café con hielo (coffee with ice) consists of a freshly pulled shot of espresso served alongside a glass of ice cubes. The ritual involves sweetening the hot espresso to taste, then pouring it over the ice, creating an immediate cooling effect that preserves the coffee's full flavor profile.

This method highlights the Spanish appreciation for quality coffee and their preference for preserving the integrity of the espresso's flavor rather than diluting it with milk or other additives.

Greek Frappé

Greece's frappé has become synonymous with relaxed summer days. Created accidentally in 1957 by a Nescafé representative, this foam-topped beverage is made by vigorously shaking instant coffee with sugar and a small amount of water, then pouring the resulting foam into a tall glass of ice and adding more cold water. Milk is optional, and the drink is traditionally served with a straw.

The frappé has become so embedded in Greek culture that it's considered the national coffee drink, with locals spending hours nursing their tall glasses at seaside cafés.

The Americas: Innovation and Tradition

Brazilian Café Gelado

In coffee-growing powerhouse Brazil, café gelado (iced coffee) is often prepared by brewing coffee with sugar while hot, then refrigerating it until cold. It's served over ice, sometimes with a splash of milk or cream. In modern Brazilian cafés, you might find it blended with vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.

Cuban Café Cubano Con Hielo

Cuba's version of iced coffee starts with the traditional café cubano – a strong espresso sweetened with demerara sugar that's been whipped with the first few drops of espresso to create a light, sweet foam called espumita. This mixture is then poured over ice, creating a refreshing drink that maintains the distinctive sweet-strong profile of Cuban coffee.

American Cold Brew

The United States has embraced cold brew coffee with particular enthusiasm. Unlike traditional iced coffee (hot coffee poured over ice), cold brew involves steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water for 12-24 hours. The result is a naturally sweet, less acidic coffee concentrate that's diluted with water or milk and served over ice.

Cold brew's popularity has exploded in recent years, with endless variations including nitro cold brew (infused with nitrogen for a creamy texture), flavored options, and ready-to-drink bottled versions available nationwide.

East Asia: Precision and Innovation

Japanese Iced Coffee

Japan's approach to iced coffee often involves the flash-brewing method, where hot coffee is brewed directly onto ice. This technique quickly cools the coffee, locking in aromatics that might be lost in other methods. The precision of Japanese pour-over brewing, combined with high-quality beans and exact measurements, results in a clean, bright iced coffee that highlights subtle flavor notes.

Korean Dalgona Coffee

Though not traditionally Korean, Dalgona coffee became a global sensation during 2020, originating from South Korea's social media. This visually striking beverage features a thick, creamy foam made from instant coffee, sugar, and hot water whipped together until it forms stiff peaks, then served over iced milk. The name comes from a Korean honeycomb toffee with a similar appearance and texture.

South Asia: Spiced and Substantial

Indian Cold Coffee

In India, cold coffee is often prepared as a blended, frappé-style beverage. Strong, sweetened coffee is blended with vanilla ice cream and ice, creating a thick, milkshake-like consistency. Some variations include cardamom, cinnamon, or other spices reflecting India's rich culinary traditions.

Middle East: Ancient Traditions, Modern Refreshment

Lebanese Mazagran

This traditional cold coffee preparation has roots in Algeria but is popular throughout the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon. Espresso is sweetened while hot, then cooled and mixed with lemon, mint, and sometimes rum. Served over ice, it offers a refreshing citrus twist to traditional coffee flavors.

Europe: Sophisticated Simplicity

Italian Caffè Shakerato

Italy's elegant approach to cold coffee involves freshly pulled espresso shaken vigorously with ice and a touch of sugar in a cocktail shaker. This creates a frothy, chilled espresso that's strained into a martini or similar glass. The simplicity of the drink highlights Italy's focus on quality espresso as the foundation of all coffee experiences.

German Eiskaffee

Germany's contribution to cold coffee is essentially a dessert in a glass. Eiskaffee combines cold coffee with vanilla ice cream and is topped with whipped cream and sometimes chocolate shavings. It's served with both a straw and a long spoon to enjoy every last bit of the melting ice cream mixed with coffee.

The Growing Global Cold Coffee Culture

As global temperatures rise and coffee culture continues to evolve, cold coffee preparations are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Specialty coffee shops everywhere are experimenting with innovative cold coffee methods, from cold drip towers that create visual spectacles while brewing to sophisticated blended beverages featuring local ingredients.

Cold coffee drinks represent the perfect intersection of tradition and innovation – honoring coffee's cultural importance while adapting to contemporary tastes and climate realities. The next time summer heat has you craving a cool caffeine fix, consider trying one of these international preparations to expand your coffee horizons.

Whether you prefer the sweet intensity of Vietnamese cà phê đá, the smooth simplicity of Spanish café con hielo, or any variation in between, there's a cold coffee tradition waiting to become your new summer favorite.

Stop by Second Best Coffee to begin your own global iced coffee journey, with our expertly crafted cold coffee options inspired by traditions from around the world!