THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE · 5 MIN READ
How to find your
go-to iced coffee.
01 / COFFEE BASICS
South Florida is iced-coffee territory for a good part of the year. But if the menu feels like a different language, start here. Your perfect order comes down to three simple choices: the coffee base, the milk, and the flavor.
Start with the base.
Cold brew is steeped slowly in cool water, which creates a smooth, mellow cup. Iced coffee is brewed hot and chilled, so it often tastes brighter and more familiar. Iced espresso drinks use espresso as the base, giving you a more concentrated coffee flavor balanced with milk or water.
Choose your milk.
Whole milk brings a creamy, classic texture. Oat milk is naturally mellow and works especially well with espresso. Almond milk is lighter, with a subtle nutty taste. If you prefer a stronger coffee flavor, ask for less milk or an extra shot.
Add flavor (if you want it).
Vanilla is a smooth, easy starting point. Brown sugar adds a warm sweetness, while caramel is richer. Honey pairs nicely with oat milk. Try one flavor at a time so you can still taste the coffee underneath.
Make it yours.
Not sure what to order? Try an iced latte with oat milk and one pump of vanilla. Want more coffee flavor? Ask for an extra shot. Prefer less sweetness? Ask for half the syrup. A good cafe should be happy to help you adjust.
OUR EASY STARTER ORDER
Iced oat latte + one pump of vanilla.
Balanced, not too sweet, and easy to customize next time.
Explore Shorebreak's menu ↗This guide is general cafe education created for the Shorebreak Roastery student website project. Drink strength, ingredients, and sweetness vary by cafe and recipe.