The Most Underrated Summer Coffee Drink
Opening Pour
Most people think cold brew only has two destinations. You either drink it black, or you add milk and turn it into a latte. But there's a third category that doesn't get nearly enough attention: cold brew sodas.
If you've never tried one, don't let the name throw you off. A great cold brew soda isn't trying to be a soda — it's trying to be refreshing. On a hot summer day, they're hard to beat.
It Starts with a Concentrate
One of the reasons we love cold brew concentrate so much is that it gives us options. Traditionally, we use it two ways — equal parts concentrate and water for black cold brew, or equal parts concentrate and milk for a latte. Cold brew sodas simply become a third application. Instead of water or milk, we're introducing carbonation and flavor.
The Formula
- Our favorite starting point is:
- 100g cold brew concentrate
- 50–60g syrup
- 150g sparkling water
The syrup provides sweetness and flavor. The sparkling water provides brightness and carbonation. The cold brew provides structure and complexity. Once you understand that framework, the combinations become almost endless.
Why Carbonation Works
Carbonation changes the way we perceive flavor. It makes drinks feel lighter, brighter, and more refreshing, and it allows fruit flavors to shine in a way that sometimes gets lost in milk-based drinks. That's why cold brew sodas tend to excel during the summer months — they give coffee a completely different personality without ever feeling heavy.
The Thunderbird
We've been serving the Thunderbird at Crown Brew for years, and it's still one of my favorite summer drinks.
- 100g Ethiopia cold brew concentrate
- 50g blackberry lemon syrup
- 150g sparkling water
The Ethiopia brings natural berry and citrus notes, and the blackberry lemon syrup reinforces what's already happening in the coffee. The result is bright, refreshing, and incredibly drinkable.
The Paloma Pop
- 100g cold brew concentrate
- 60g grapefruit basil syrup
- 150g sparkling water
Refreshing, citrusy, and herbal — a perfect example of how well coffee plays with unexpected ingredients.
Don't Forget the Garnish
Unlike a traditional cold brew or latte, a cold brew soda almost feels like a craft cocktail — and that means you get to play with presentation. A simple garnish adds aroma, color, and personality, and can make the drink feel genuinely special without much extra effort.
Some favorites:
- Dried lemon or orange slices
- Fresh citrus wheels
- Cherries or blackberries
- Fresh herbs like basil or rosemary
If you're hosting friends or family, this is one of the easiest ways to make a coffee drink feel memorable. Sometimes the difference between a good drink and a great experience is just ten extra seconds on the finish.
Matching Coffee to Flavor
One thing that makes cold brew sodas work is pairing the syrup with the coffee. For bright fruit syrups — cherry, lemon, orange, grapefruit — you'll usually get the best results from fruit-forward coffees. African coffees like Ethiopia and Kenya are a natural fit, since they already carry berry, citrus, and stone fruit characteristics. If you want something with more of a cola profile, lean toward Guatemala or Colombia and pair with cherry, vanilla, honey, or baking spices. The best drinks happen when the coffee and syrup support each other instead of competing.
Tips from a Barista
Build your cold brew sodas gently. Add the sparkling water first, then the ice, then slowly pour the concentrate and syrup mixture into the glass. This preserves the carbonation and keeps the drink from foaming over. The gentler the build, the better the final texture.
Quick Recipe Recap
Cold Brew Soda Base — 100g cold brew concentrate, 50–60g syrup, 150g sparkling water.
Thunderbird — 100g Ethiopia concentrate, 50g blackberry lemon syrup, 150g sparkling water.
Paloma Pop — 100g concentrate, 60g grapefruit basil syrup, 150g sparkling water.
Closing Thought
One of the things I love most about coffee is that there's always another layer to explore. Cold brew sodas are proof of that — approachable once you understand the formula, and endlessly creative once you start making them your own. Next issue, we'll stay in the world of summer drinks and explore one of my personal favorites: the Cold Brew Arnold Palmer.
Brew it better,
Josh
Founder, Brew It Better