Brooklyn summers have a specific rhythm: long afternoons, slow mornings, the same iced drink three times a day for three months. We take iced drinks seriously because we're the cafe people choose to spend their summers at. Here's the full Café Mia summer lineup and how to order each.
The summer rotation
Matcha lemonade
The drink that converts skeptics. Our 4g whisked matcha shaken with house lemonade over ice. Tart, bright, slightly creamy from the matcha foam. Looks weird, tastes incredible. Our top-selling summer drink.
Iced lavender lemonade
Our house lemonade with the same lavender-honey we use in lattes. Floral and tart, less polarizing than the matcha version.
Cold brew tonic
Cold brew + tonic water + slice of orange. Bittersweet, dry, complex. Customer base: people who don't love sweet drinks but want caffeine.
Iced espresso tonic
Smaller version of cold brew tonic — single espresso shot pulled fresh, poured over ice and tonic. More acidic and brighter than cold brew tonic. Great in the morning before a long day.
Vietnamese-style iced coffee
Our cold brew with sweetened condensed milk, served over ice. Heavy, sweet, a meal in a glass. Best for an afternoon when lunch was light.
Iced strawberry matcha (carryover from spring)
Macerated strawberries, 4g matcha, oat milk, ice. Stays on the menu while strawberries are still in season.
The right summer drink is the one that's still cold by the time you get to your destination. We take that seriously.
How we keep iced drinks cold longer
- Big ice. We use larger cubes that melt slower. The trade is they fill less of the cup, so the drink ratio stays right.
- Pre-chilled glassware. The cup is cold before the drink hits it.
- Ice-water rinse. We rinse the cup with ice water before pouring, which drops the cup temperature even further.
- Ratio matters. We're careful about ice-to-liquid. Too much ice waters down; too little and the drink warms within minutes.
What to order on each kind of summer day
- 85°F and humid: Matcha lemonade. The acidity wakes you up.
- 90°F and dry: Cold brew tonic with extra ice. Hydrating without being sweet.
- Cool morning: Iced flat white. Coffee-forward, milk-balanced.
- Brunch: Vietnamese-style iced coffee. Pairs with anything.
- Late afternoon: Iced lavender lemonade. No caffeine, refreshing.
- Walking around the neighborhood: Iced matcha latte. Travels well, doesn't get bitter as ice melts.
The to-go cup conversation
We use compostable cups and lids for to-go. They're not as good at insulation as plastic, but they break down. The trade-off works for us, and most customers appreciate it. If you bring your own insulated tumbler we'll fill it (clean only, please) and discount the drink by $0.50.
What's coming next
Late summer brings stone fruit. We'll likely add a peach-cardamom iced latte in August and an iced ginger lemon-pepper drink for the weather right before fall. The fall menu starts mid-September.
Come try the summer lineup. Café Mia, 1128 Broadway in Bushwick, open daily 8 AM – 5 PM. The matcha lemonade is the move.
Frequently asked questions
What's Café Mia's most popular summer drink?
Matcha lemonade — by a wide margin. It's our top-selling summer drink for customers who haven't tried it before.
Do you have iced versions of all your hot drinks?
Yes. Every drink on our menu can be made iced. Some (matcha latte, flat white, cold brew) are arguably better iced.
Do you offer reusable cup discounts?
Yes — bring a clean insulated tumbler and we'll discount the drink by $0.50.
Is the matcha lemonade sweet?
Less sweet than you'd expect. The lemonade brings tartness; the matcha brings creaminess. We don't add additional sugar by default — ask for half-sweet or unsweetened if you want it adjusted.
Can I order summer drinks ahead?
Yes — call (929) 813-1897 for pickup orders, or order via GrubHub or DoorDash for delivery.