POV: It’s 98 Degrees Outside and You Just Ordered a Hot Latte Anyway

A chaotic love letter to the unhinged decision to sip something steamy in peak heat.

It’s 98 degrees. The sun is cooking the pavement. Your sunglasses are sliding down your face like they’re trying to escape. Your weather app is screaming “EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING” in bold red letters.

And yet… you walk into Second Best Coffee, glance at the menu, and say with your whole chest:

“Hot latte, please.”

Congratulations. You are unwell in the best possible way.

The Sweat Before the Sip

Ordering a hot latte in summer is not just a drink choice, it’s a commitment to chaos. You’re about to wrap your hands around a cup radiating the same energy as a campfire in July. Beads of sweat are forming before the first sip, but you don’t care. In fact, you lean into it.

Because for you, this isn’t about hydration. It’s about vibes.

Your Barista Knows What’s Up

We see you. We don’t judge. We’ve been you.

The order comes in, and we steam that milk like it’s a crisp October morning, even though we both know the air outside could roast a marshmallow. It’s a silent agreement between customer and barista: we are going to pretend the heat index does not exist for the next 12 ounces.

Why Do We Do It?

Science says hot drinks can actually help cool you down by triggering your body’s cooling mechanisms. Emotion says: that’s cute, but also, no.

The real reason? Because sometimes you want the comfort of a hot latte no matter what. The creamy microfoam, the rich espresso, the little heart in your latte art, none of that hits the same in an iced cup. A hot latte hugs your soul. And if your soul needs a hug in the middle of a heatwave, who are we to deny it?

You’re Not Alone in This Unhinged Energy

Hot latte in summer drinkers are a special breed. You’re the person who wears sweaters “because the AC is cold” even though it’s triple digits outside. You light fall candles in July. You have zero interest in “seasonal appropriateness” because you’re driven entirely by instinct and comfort.

We love you for it. You are the main character in the coffee shop cinematic universe.

The Aftermath

You step outside with your latte. The sun glares at you like you’ve personally offended it. You take that first sip anyway. Steam meets humidity in a battle no one wins, except your serotonin levels.

You might sweat through your shirt. You might need a cold shower after. But your taste buds? Your heart? They’re thriving.

Moral of the Story

If you want a hot latte when it’s 98 degrees, get the hot latte. We’re not here to shame you. We’re here to steam the milk to perfection, pull a shot so smooth it could talk you into bad decisions, and hand it over with a smile that says: we get it.

Because the truth is, coffee is not about the weather, it’s about what you need in that exact moment. And sometimes, that moment calls for hot comfort, even if it makes no logical sense.

So here’s to you, summer hot latte drinkers. Stay hydrated, stay unbothered, and stay gloriously unhinged.