Iced coffee
Photo: Lim Chee Wah; design: Zineb Bektachi
Photo: Lim Chee Wah; design: Zineb Bektachi

5 best iced coffee you should be drinking in Tokyo right now

These coffee shops in Tokyo transform the ubiquitous iced coffee from summer staple into the season’s coolest drink

Lim Chee Wah
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There’s no escaping Tokyo’s sweltering summer heat – we’ve just got to grin and bear it. Of course, copious amounts of iced coffee help, but there’s only so many iced americanos you can drink before getting bored.

Thankfully, the city’s many cafés and coffee shops are putting a creative spin on this ubiquitous summer drink, injecting new flavours and ingredients or using new preparation methods. Here’s what we will be sipping all summer long while yearning for autumn to come sooner.

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Iced, iced baby

  • Cafés
  • Harajuku

One simple ingredient can make a lot of difference. At this Indonesian coffee purveyor and café in Harajuku, the humble iced latte gets a hit of rich, molasses-like sweetness from organic Arenga palm sugar. It’s the perfect compliment to the coffee’s toasty notes. You have a choice between a single or double shot of espresso – opt for the former if you like your iced coffee on the sweet side. ¥700

  • Cafés
  • Kayabacho

The tonic water gives the drink a foamy head, like that of a draught beer. It also adds a hint of citrusy sweetness to balance out the dark roast of the coffee. Be warned though, espresso tonic is very addictive and surprisingly energising: it’s got the refreshing fizziness of a soft drink as well as satisfying bitterness from the espresso. You could easily drink this in one go and still want more. ¥650

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  • Cafés
  • Meguro

This is one smooth chocolate-cappuccino milkshake. Cold milk, craft chocolate and espresso are whisked in a hand blender to create that frothy creaminess. And since there’s no ice, your drink stays rich and satisfying until the last sip. It’s refreshing and filling at the same time – double win! ¥850

  • Coffeeshops
  • Tsukiji
  • price 1 of 4

A cold latte that doubles as a dessert, this seasonal drink at Turret Coffee in Tsukiji will satisfy any mid-afternoon cravings. Cold milk is added to a base of anmitsu (classic Japanese dessert of red bean paste and molasses), followed by a shot of dark roast espresso and finally a helping of coffee jelly. The chewy bits are surprisingly enjoyable, much like the boba in bubble tea. ¥690

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  • Café bars
  • Shibuya

This icy cold Italian classic is like an in-between iced coffee – not as overwhelming as a straight-up shot of espresso and not as watered down as an iced americano. Espresso and brown sugar are shaken over ice in a cocktail shaker to create a smooth, foamy, refreshing drink that will have you licking your lips. We wish this came with a dash of liqueur, like amaretto or sambuca. ¥510

Eat, drink, be merry

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