With the temperatures rising, the sun staying out longer and everyone leaving their coats at home, it’s fair to say spring is just around the corner. It’s time to kiss hot winter drinks goodbye and try something lighter, sweeter and colder. Here are five iced drinks to try during this spring season.
1. Iced Pistachio Latte
Starbucks knocked it out of the park with its Pistachio Latte. It offers the cozy flavors of sweet pistachio and warm brown butter while still having a light springtime feel. If you’re like me and love a little extra sweetness, try topping your latte off with vanilla or Irish creme cold foam.
2. Lavender Honey Latte
If you live in Columbia, Mo., going to Lakota Coffee and trying this drink is a must. This drink is most definitely a spring twist on a classic latte. A lavender latte is a perfect drink to spark memories of fresh air and warm weather. Lakota’s extra bit of honey sweetness creates the perfect combination for a refreshing springtime drink.
3. Shamrock Macchiato
Dunkin’s new Shamrock Macchiato is giving the McDonald’s Shamrock Shake a run for its money. This new Dunkin drink combines espresso with delicious Irish creme flavoring (and festive green food coloring).
“One of three new drinks and three new menu items added to the coffee and donut chain’s spring lineup, the Shamrock Macchiato is described as layers of ‘bold, smooth espresso atop rich and creamy Irish Creme flavor, with notes of sweet cream and vanilla that capture the unmistakable flavor profile of Irish whiskey,'” according to Food & Wine Magazine. “And, of course, it comes with a bright green hue.”
4. Dragon Drink
Not everyone is a coffee person and that’s okay. Starbucks still has you covered with its Dragon Drink, a refreshing combination of sweet mango and dragon fruit. Hand-shaken with coconut milk, ice and a scoop of diced dragon fruit, this pretty purple sip is uniquely refreshing. The Dragon Drink serves as an everyday pick-me-up with its tropical flavors and 50mg of caffeine.
5. Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew
Dunkin’ added an all-powerful, highly-caffeinated Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew to its menu this spring. The drink blends slow-steeped smooth cold brew with rich salted caramel flavor and a sweet, salted caramel cold foam. If you’re someone who loves a good cold brew, this drink is a must-try.
Whether you prefer sweet lattes with cold foam, tropical refreshers or a drink that takes on the same color as a shamrock, your local coffee shops have you covered. Instead of sticking to your basic everyday vanilla latte or cold brew with cold foam, mix it up and try a new refreshing springtime drink.
Even if you don’t like it, you can rely on the advice of David Lynch, an American filmmaker, painter and writer: “Even bad coffee is better than no coffee at all.”