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5 Iced Drinks for People Who Don’t Like Coffee

by Geraldine Campbell
|
April 1, 2021
Photo Credit: Gheeful

It has been said (somewhere on Instagram) that there are two types of people: People who drink iced coffee all year long and people who don’t. As the weather warms up, it is undoubtedly, inevitably true that more and more people will make the switch from pour over to cold brew, from French press to iced coffee. But while we’re not opposed to coffee in any of its various forms, what if you’re just not a coffee person? These 5 iced drinks are for non-coffee drinkers, or anyone who just wants to switch things up.

1. Iced Maca Latte from Gheeful

Energy without caffeine? Hello, maca. The root, a relative of the radish family, originates from the Andean mountains of Peru and is high in B vitamins, essential minerals, and fiber. Incans have used maca as a remedy for everything from boosting stamina to increasing fertility, and experimental research has confirmed its energizing and fertility-enhancing benefits. Maca’s earthy, butterscotch-like flavor makes it a great stand-in for coffee.

matcha latte

Photo Credit: A Cozy Kitchen

2. Iced Matcha Latte from A Cozy Kitchen

A form of powdered green tea made from finely ground green tea leaves, matcha is super-rich in nutrients. A single serving of the grassy brew delivers the same amount of antioxidants as 10 cups of green tea. Plus, thanks to the calming effects of the amino acid L-theanine, you can caffeinate without the coffee jitters. Bonus: the catechins in matcha help protect skin from harmful UV rays of summer.

iced dandelion latte

Photo Credit: Sweet Lizzy

3. Iced Dandelion Latte with Maca Condensed Milk from Sweet Lizzy

Roasted dandelion root has an earthy, dark, slightly-sweet flavor, without the bitterness of coffee. Though research on the benefits of dandelion root is limited, preliminary evidence suggests it promotes healthy digestion and liver/gallbladder function. You could try an instant, unsweetened blend from Traditional Medicinals—just add hot water, ice it, and you’re done. Or you could make this, more involved, but 100% delicious latte from Sweet Lizzy. You’ll need to make maca-infused condensed coconut milk, but once you do, you’ll have it on hand to future iced lattes.

iced drinks

Photo Credit: Oh How Civilized

4. Cold Brew Yerba Mate from Oh How Civilized

Yerba mate delivers 80 mg of caffeine (compared to 100-200 mg in coffee) along with higher levels of polyphenols and antioxidants than both green and black tea. It’s anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic may reduce LDL cholesterol. It’s a bit bitter, but the addition of lime and a bit of sweetener makes a big difference. The recipe calls for regular sugar, but feel free to substitute a healthier sweetener.

iced golden milk

Photo Credit: 40 Aprons

5. Iced Golden Milk Latte from 40 Aprons

Turmeric, or more specifically curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has plenty of health benefits. It’s anti-inflammatory, it may boost your mood and your memory, and it’s good for you skin. More importantly, it’s also delicious (and super-pretty) when you pair it with spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, a bit of maple syrup, and your favorite non-dairy milk. But, don’t leave out the black pepper, which increases the bioavailability of curcumin.

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