The 5 Best Iced Coffee Concoctions in NYC
From classic cold brew to espresso martinis, we tried some of the best iced coffee creations that New York City has to offer.
We traveled all around the Big Apple in search of the best caffeinated concoctions to satisfy our thirst (and to beat the August heat). Here are our 5 favorite iced coffee drinks that will delight any New York City coffee lover.
1. La Colombe — Draft Latte
Everyone’s had a regular old latte, but the draft latte from La Colombe takes it to a whole other level. This cup of creamy, frothy goodness is like nothing you’ve ever tasted before. Made with hormone-free milk and a high quality blend of coffee beans, this latte offers the perfect combination of taste and texture. Each drink comes complete with a layer of silky foam on top, so we had to try our hardest to avoid a milk mustache. We would describe this latte as a melted down coffee milkshake — in the best way imaginable. It’s an absolute must try for any latte lovers out there.
2. Jack’s Stir Brew Coffee — Cold Brew
We give this coffee joint the award for best atmosphere. With an abundance of comfy couches and reading nooks, it took a lot of restraint not to cozy up with a book and a nice cup of coffee and read the day away.
At this aptly named shop, the coffee is literally stirred while it’s being brewed, a process that aims to provide the full extraction of flavor. We decided to go with their classic cold brew coffee, and it did not disappoint. Because of the stir brew process, this iced coffee was extra rich and flavorful. We’re not sure if this brewing technique makes the coffee more caffeinated than usual, but we definitely left with some extra pep in our step.
3. El Rey Coffee Bar and Luncheonette — Mexican Iced Mocha
We traveled to the Lower East Side just so we could try this raved-about drink from El Rey. We didn’t really know what to expect from the Mexican Iced Mocha, but we’d been told that it was a must for any New York City coffee lover. Garnished with a sprig of mint, this drink looks like a prettier version of your average mocha. But beware, there is a kick lying beneath the surface — infused with chili flakes and cinnamon, this mocha certainly packs a punch.
After getting over the initial shock of the spice, we were able to appreciate the unique blend of flavors contained in the small cup. If you’re ever in the Lower East Side, make sure to track down this mocha; it’s a coffee experience you’ll be sure to remember.
4. SushiSamba — Cafe Millonario and Koko Cold Brew
We decided to be a little more adventurous and try out some coffee cocktails, so we headed to the ever hip SushiSamba. After consulting with the waitress, we decided we had to try more than just one. Per our waitress’ suggestion, we ordered the Koko Cold Brew and the Espresso Martini.
The Koko Cold Brew was a combination of Bacardi rum, pineapple, coconut sugar, and cold brew coffee. The combination of pineapple and coffee took a little getting used to, but after our tastebuds adjusted we fully enjoyed this boozy coffee concoction.
Our other drink, the Cafe Millonario, is SushiSamba’s version of an espresso martini. The cocktail contained Bacardi Black rum, spiced maple syrup, and dark chocolate liqueur, and was garnished with a cute chocolate-covered coffee bean on top. The drink was sweet and delicious — the clear winner between the two cocktails. Both concoctions were very tasty, not to mention strong. Let’s just say we left the restaurant feeling buzzed from more than just the caffeine.
5. Toby’s Estate — Cold Brew
Toby’s Estate has quickly distinguished itself as a New York City coffee staple, with locations now in Brooklyn and Manhattan. After topping the charts of many “Best Coffee” lists, we entered this hipster haven with high expectations. We ordered what Toby’s Estate is known for: their on tap cold brew.
Our verdict? The hype is deserved. This cup of coffee is everything that cold brew should be and more. After drinking Starbucks for most of our lives, we took one sip of the Toby’s Estate cold brew and thought “This is the coffee we never knew we needed.” We have a feeling we’ll be needing it pretty often, now.
Do you have a favorite NYC coffee place we should try? Let us know and we just might write it up!
