Summer is a trying time for those in dire need of a caffeine injection. Few dare to brave a hot cup of black coffee in the depths of August, when even a slight sip can induce sweat. Iced coffee, while preferable, has never quite been up to the challenge. Often naturally bitter, it becomes ever more watery with each sip.
Thankfully, cold brew has recently become a trendy iced option. Made by soaking coffee grounds in purified water for extended periods — the longer the steep, the stronger the brew — it results in a drink packed with caffeine that loses none of the bean’s traditionally rich flavor.
Stop by these Hudson Valley shops for a cup of the cool stuff this summer.
2 Alices Coffee Lounge
Newburgh and Cornwall
These two branches, in downtown Newburgh and Cornwall, serve bagels and snacks in addition to beer, cider, and cold brew.
The Nitro Cold Brew at Brewtus / Photo by Stephen Pivonka​
Brewtus Roasting
Delmar
A local small-batch roaster, Brewtus sells both its own coffee and an array of high-end products and accessories for brewing the perfect cup. The brand also sells a subscription to its ever-changing bean offerings.
HiLo Catskill
Catskill
Hip beyond belief, HiLo is a recent addition to central Catskill, serving breakfast and lunch in a high-ceilinged, tile-barred space on Main Street. It often hosts local music at night.
Inquiring Minds
Saugerties
Cold brew is one part of an extensive drink menu at this used book shop, which also serves smoothies, teas, and more sips that pair well with a high-backed plush chair and serendipitous shelf find.
Irving Farm
Millerton
Locals can stop by Irving’s café in town, which is a short way from its brand-new roastery just outside of town. The store serves its own special cold brew blend, with prepacked bags for sale for sippers who want to recreate the java at home.
Mudd Puddle Coffee Roasters
New Paltz
Located down in the Water Street Market, Mudd Puddle serves its own house-roasted brew, in addition to eggs, wraps, and bagels.
Murray’s Tivoli
Tivoli
Murray’s has a full breakfast and lunch menu of classed-up café favorites like wraps, salads, and egg sandwiches, as well as a decent cold brew.
Rev
Hudson
Situated way up at the top of Warren Street, Rev is typically passed over by the weekend crowds. It has comfy chairs, abundant atmosphere, and tasty pastries.
Reverie
Patterson and Amenia
Reverie uses Mahopac’s Bear Mountain Coffee Roasters for its standard cold brews. It also serves a special CBD brew, making it the first in the area to do so.
Rough Draft growler and cold brew / Photo by Anthony Stromoski
Rough Draft
Kingston
Though opened as a bookstore-bar, the Instagrammable spot in Uptown Kingston makes the most of coffee culture, too. Its house-made cold brew kicks, and during the summer months the store fashion it into all manner of compellingly caffeinated special beverages.
Stacks Espresso Bar
Albany
This café and community space steeps its cold brew for 14 hours. It also serves special roasts from rotating guest roasters, meaning that every visit could involve a completely unique cup of coffee, and hosts classes and tastings.
The Crafted Kup nitro cold brew / Photo by Tanner Townsend
The Crafted Kup
Poughkeepsie
Serving a wide variety of drinks and snacks just a few steps from the Vassar campus, The Crafted Kup takes 24 hours to steep its cold brew. It also serves a frothy, nitro-infused brew.
Cold Brew at Village Coffee / Photo by Mark Palmer
Village Coffee
Kingston
This newish spot, opened by members of soul band The Hipstones, was converted from a former barbershop, and sells wholesome bowls and locally-grown salads in addition to, you guessed it, cold brew. It occasionally hosts coffee-focused classes.
