Three Simple Coffee Classics to Make at Home

Summer’s here, the days are long, and the sun is cranking up the heat, which means it’s the perfect time to swap out that steaming mug for something icy, refreshing, and oh-so-smooth. Because let’s be honest: when the weather’s warm, coffee just hits differently over ice.

With just a few simple tricks, you can turn your daily brew into something that feels like a summer treat - bold, chilled, and full of flavour.

In this guide, we’re diving into our favourite, very simple cool coffee classics - the decadent iced coffee, the crisp and refreshing iced long black and the creamy iced latte. We’ll also show you how to finish them off with cold cream and fun syrups that take things to the next level.

So What Coffee Should I Use?

The short answer: any of Merlo’s coffees! Whether you’re a fan of our signature blends or prefer exploring our single origins, they’ll all work beautifully in iced drinks - as long as the beans are fresh and ground to suit your brew method.

We’re especially fond of our Organico Blend, which brings a rich, rounded flavour to iced recipes. And don’t forget our Decaf Coffee - it tastes just as great chilled, making it the perfect choice if you’re after a late-night summer sip without the buzz.

1. Iced Coffee

This is where it all begins... the ultimate summer staple.

BASE: Brewed coffee (plunger/French press, filter, moka pot, or even cold brew).

BUILD: Coffee is cooled slightly, then poured over ice, add icecream and your milk of choice.

OPTIONAL: You can add non-dairy milk, syrup or flavoured ice cream, but the main flavour is the brewed coffee itself.

ALTERNATIVES:

• Coffee base: Try cold brew concentrate instead of hot coffee if you want a gentler flavour.
• Twist: A splash of milk, oat milk, or even coconut water for a lighter, tropical feel.
• Lower caffeine: Use decaf or half-strength beans for an evening treat.
  
  
  

2. Iced Long Black (aka Iced Americano)

Clean, crisp, and beautifully simple.

BASE: Espresso (1–2 shots).

BUILD: Tall glass filled with fresh ice → add cold, filtered water → pour hot espresso over the top. The order matters! Pouring espresso last keeps the crema intact, prevents the drink from tasting thin, and allows the hot coffee to cool gently.

ALTERNATIVES:

• No espresso machine? A strong AeroPress brew works just as well.
• Want more sweetness? Add a dash of agave syrup or honey. Or check out our range of syrups here.
• Lighten it up: Swap the water for sparkling mineral water for a “sparkling iced Americano.
  

 

3. Iced Latte Recipe

Smooth, creamy, and the café favourite you’ll never tire of.

BASE: Espresso (1–2 shots).

BUILD: Glass filled with ice → cold milk poured in → espresso shot on top (for that layered look).

OPTIONAL: Flavoured syrups such as vanilla, caramel or hazelnut.

ALTERNATIVES: 

• Try oat milk for creaminess, almond for nuttiness, or coconut for a summery twist.
• Stir in a pump of vanilla or caramel syrup for a sweet café vibe.
• Use decaf or half-strength beans for an evening treat.

Adding Cold Cream & Syrups

There are many ways to enhance your at-home cold coffee experience, and adding cold cream or syrup adds a level of decadence. 

• Cold Cream: Using a milk frother, whisk or even a jar, lightly whip chilled pouring cream until it thickens slightly. Pour it gently over your iced coffee and watch it float like a cloud.
• Syrups: there is a myriad of syrups that can be added to your cold drinks to mix up the flavour. There's the staples - vanilla, caramel and hazelnut - or go seasonal with gingerbread, coconut, pumpkin spice or peppermint. View our range of syrups here.
• Alternatives
• You can use coconut cream as an alternative, to add a tropical touch.
• Honey and maple syrup make for a natural alternative to standard syrups.
• Spice it up by dusting your drink with cinnamon or cocoa powder for some extra café flair.
  
  

The Final Sip

And there you have it — three cool coffee classics to keep you refreshed all summer long. From a bold iced coffee to a crisp iced Americano, these drinks prove that chilled coffee can be anything but boring.

Mix and match milks, syrups, and brewing styles to suit your taste - the secret is in the balance: strong coffee, sparkling fresh ice, and a splash of creativity.

So, grab your favourite glass, fill it to the brim with ice, and cheers to sunshine, holidays, and café-level coffee right at home. Summer never tasted this good!