Capital Caff: Drinks Beyond Iced Coffee to Help You Beat the Heat

Don't talk to me until I've read Capital Caff: Your guide to the latest in coffee happenings around Beijing.

Whether it’s summer in the ‘Jing, you’re just looking to cool off, or a heatwave is on the way -- seriously though there is a heatwave set to hit the capital soon -- one way to fend off the heat and keep caffinated while you’re at it is an iced coffee. The only thing is, iced coffee kinda sucks.

Here’s the reason why -- all that ice is gonna melt and just dilute the drink. Thus if you order an iced Americano, it’ll soon be a water Americano. That iced latte? Now it’s a coffee with watery milk.

Here are a few other cold coffee drinks you can try that won’t get watered down in the heat.

Affogato

This cold coffee drink doubles as dessert. Sometimes known as affogato al caffè, this Italian drink sees ice cream or gelato combined with hot espresso. While it does melt the ice cream, it makes for something a little creamier than if it’s ice diluting the coffee.

There are a number of Beijing-based cafes that do this, ones we’d recommend are Buona Bocca (RMB 45), which does theirs with chocolate gelato; and Loop coffee (RMB 45), which sends their espresso delivered in cool test tube-looking things.

Caffè Shakerato

Ok, so this one is technically watered down, but it’s not so watered down that you’re just drinking coffee bean powder water. This beverage, which also hails from Italy, sees freshly brewed espresso combined with ice in a cocktail shaker. It’s then shaken vigorously for a few seconds to give it a nice foam before being poured into a glass.

While this one is easy to make on your own (all you need is a cocktail shaker, ice, and freshly brewed espresso) if you’re keen on ordering one done right, Buona Bocca has you covered once again, with their shakerato on offer for RMB 45.

Cold Brew

Essentially coffee that’s brewed using cold water over an extended period of time (say eight to 12 hours or so), cold brew is great when you’re in a rush or if you’re looking for something chilled that locks in all the aromas and flavors of a freshly brewed cup.

Most Beijing coffee shops sell their own bottled cold brew, and you can even find it on the cheap in 711 or other convenience stores. Personal favorites would be the cold brews from Catch Bagel (RMB 36) and Bear Brew (RMB 48).

Cold Brew with Coffee Ice Cubes

So let’s say you still want ice with your coffee but don’t want it watered down. What about coffee ice cubes? Better yet, what about cold brew coffee with coffee ice cubes?

Americano Only Coffee Shop delivers here with a bottle of cold brew delivered with a container filled to the brim with big cubes of coffee ice for RMB 29. This is definitely a chilled coffee drink than can be enjoyed over time, and they even offer up flavors like pineapple (RMB 29), as well as their own variation on affogato (RMB 42).

READ: Capital Caff: Seesaw Turns Ten, Wagyukami Offers Sando Sets & More

Images: Oak & Bond Coffee Co. (via Unsplash), the Beijingers, Dianping