Beat the Heatwave: Refreshing Summer Coffee Drinks (And How We Make Them)

The Swiss summer is fully here, and with temperatures rising across Central Switzerland, we are trading our steaming mugs for something a lot cooler. Whether you are coming down from a long hike in the mountains or just strolling down Dorfstrasse looking for the best iced coffee in Engelberg, a refreshing cold specialty coffee is the ultimate cooldown.

Here is our official summer drink lineup and the baristas' secrets on how to recreate these recipes at home using your favorite beans.

The Crowd Favorite: Caffe Freddo 

This is our absolute bestseller when the heat peaks. It is intensely cold and features an incredibly smooth texture. It is the classic, reliable choice for immediate refreshment.

How to make it at home: The secret to a perfect Caffe Freddo is an espresso that maintains its balance when chilled. Pull a double shot of our Sunny Side, vigorously shake it in a cocktail shaker over ice and strain into a chilled glass.

The Trendsetter: Orange Breeze

A double espresso poured over ice and fresh orange juice. It sounds unconventional until you take the first sip. The sweet, bright acidity of the juice demands a robust counterpart, creating an incredibly refreshing and complex summer mocktail.

How to make it at home: Fill a glass with ice, add 150ml of fresh-squeezed orange juice, and gently pour a double espresso over the top so it layers beautifully. To punch through the natural citrus acidity without getting lost, you need a strong, darker blend. Pull a double shot of our Dark Side. Its deep, bold roasted profile contrasts perfectly with the bright juice.

The Sparkling Pick-Me-Up: Espresso Tonic

Crisp, bubbly, and slightly bitter. The Espresso Tonic is the sophisticated answer to sugary summer sodas.

How to make it at home: Fill a glass to the brim with large ice cubes. Pour in a premium tonic water, leaving a little room at the top. Slowly pour a freshly extracted shot of Early-Bird espresso directly over the ice so it floats perfectly on the tonic.

The Smooth Alternative: Cold Brew Tonic

How to make it at home: Steep coarsely ground Ethiopian beans in cold water for 16-24 hours in the fridge. Strain, and mix this smooth concentrate 50/50 with your favorite tonic water over ice.

For the Coffee Purists: Iced Drip Coffee

No milk, no sugar, no juice—just pure, unadulterated specialty coffee brewed directly over ice to lock in the delicate aromatics instantly.

How to make it at home: Use your standard V60 pour-over setup, but replace one-third of your brewing water with ice cubes directly in the carafe. Brew hot water over a complex, single-origin bean like our Peruvian Geisha or Colombian Sudan Rumé.

The Tropical Indulgence: Iced Coconut Milk & Cacao Latte

A creamy, dairy-free treat for those who want something slightly sweeter but still highly refreshing. The cacao pairs perfectly with the bold roasted notes of our coffee, while the coconut milk adds a light, summery finish.

How to make it at home: Dissolve a spoonful of high-quality cacao powder in a hot double espresso. We use our Dark Side blend here, as its deep, chocolatey profile creates the ultimate flavor base. Pour the mixture over a tall glass of ice and top it off with cold Alpro coconut milk for that perfectly smooth, barista-level texture. Stir well and enjoy.