As the weather grows warmer, you may find it hard to sip on your piping-hot coffee in 80-degree Fahrenheit temperatures. Instead, check out one of the trendiest coffee-making methods: cold brew. While some may count on iced coffee to revive and refresh themselves in the warm weather, true coffee lovers turn to this replacement for a sharper and healthier alternative.
So, what makes cold brew different? Cold brew, like the name alludes, is brewed with cold water, creating a smooth and rich flavor unique to its coffee siblings. The process of making your average iced coffee can diminish the natural flavor of the coffee bean because hot water strips the bean of its edge. The long soak necessary for cold brew amplifies the beverage’s tastiness.
Need more reasons to try out cold brew? Let’s get scientific. A cold brew ensures lower acidity of the coffee beans, so it’s less likely to upset your stomach, according to this study from Foods. The cold water also allows for more caffeine to remain in the coffee bean, providing longer-lasting energy for drinkers.
While cold brew is loved for its sweeter, smoother taste than many traditional hot coffees, those who avoid drinking any type of coffee straight up can cap it off with some cold foam cream — yet another newer coffee go-to gaining popularity. Cold foam is created by aerating and expanding milk without using heat to create something lighter than whipped cream but slightly thicker than the foam in a hot cappuccino. While cold foam is fundamentally a frothy version of milk, many shops add flavors and sweeteners to the mix so that café regulars can discover something new.
Check out a few of our favorite cold brews in Westchester.
The Black Cow Coffee Co.
4 Old Post Rd S, Croton-on-Hudson; 914.271.7544
7 Wheeler Ave, Pleasantville; 914.495.3153
701 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; 914.418.5255
Open since 1995, The Black Cow is a Westchester classic. Yet, despite its 30 years in business, this coffee shop is still as fresh, winning the 2025 Best of Westchester award for best coffee shop in the county. You can get a taste of three decades of coffee excellence by trying the cold brew. The Black Cow even offers a drink that’s half cold brew, half lemonade for those feeling adventurous. Otherwise, go for the signature chocolate milk with your cold brew for a sweet and energizing treat. And, if you’re looking for a place to gather after typical coffee shop hours, The Black Cow hosts activities like open mic nights at the Croton-on-Hudson location, promoting its goal of being a space for community to come together.
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Bobo’s Cafe
249 US-202, 6 Heritage Ctr, Somers; 914.276.2233
1 Station Plz, Chappaqua; 914.861.8001
57 Rte 6, Crossroads Plz, Baldwin Place; 914.519.6227
Although Bobo’s success is marked by its ever-increasing locations, including one opening soon in Yorktown, the brand prioritizes community and maintains the welcoming feel that all good local coffee shops have. While you can’t go wrong with any of the drinks, the cold brew is a fan favorite. Customers can enjoy a variety of sweetened flavors, whether it’s the latest flavor of the month or a classic splash of coconut. This cold brew is most delicious when capped with soft-top cold foam.
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Caffè Ammi Roasting Co.
109 6th St, Pelham; 914.738.2511
Since opening the cafe in 2017, Joey Ammirati has always prioritized cold brew. While the cafe offers delicious cold brew kits that can be made at home, such as the 109 Blend or The French, the house-made lavender honey syrup is one of the most popular additions for cold brew lovers who want the barista to craft their cup onsite at the Pelham roastery. An insider “Joe Tip” for customers is to add a splash of pistachio milk for a deliciously unique flavor.
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Don Carvajal Café
75 Main St, Irvington; 914.231.5040
Don Carvajal’s brick-and-mortar location in Irvington brings the flavors of the Dominican Republic to Westchester. Owner Héctor Carvajal started Don Carvajal as a project in college and brought it to life to create a bridge between the Dominican Republic and New York through coffee. Don Carvajal prides itself on the quality of its beans, which are carefully selected from around the world. The café’s freshly roasted beans can be sampled through a delicious cup of the cold brew, or you can get a bag to take home in-store and online.
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Harpoon Hanna’s Coffee Shop
211 Main St, New Rochelle; 914.483.4580
Harpoon Hanna’s prioritizes the quality of coffee above all else. These coffee connoisseurs have perfected the grind size and saturation needed for a refreshing cold brew while also ensuring it remains fresh. While the house-made vanilla syrup is the perfect addition to any drink, you can’t go wrong with the regular iced cold brew, guaranteeing the perfect caffeine kick to get you through the day.
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How Ya Brewing
5 Fisher Ave, Tuckahoe; 914.222.9821
Check out this newish coffee shop to quench your coffee needs. Since opening in spring 2024, How Ya Brewing has been an instant success in Tuckahoe, with charming outdoor seating perfect for the summer season and yummy treats to accompany its delicious coffee. The cold brew is a hit, energizing sippers with each drop. For those who think of beer when they hear the phrase “cold brew,” How Ya Brewing offers a nitro cold brew with a smooth and creamy texture just like a Guinness stout, but full of caffeine instead of alcohol.
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Laughing Horse Coffee and Tea Co.
6 Purdy St, Harrison; 914.488.6848
Try out this 2023 Best of Westchester winner for Westchester’s Premier Specialty Coffee and Tea Shop! With a welcoming indoor and outdoor environment, Laughing Horse offers an oasis to weary Westchesterites, prioritizing slowing down from your daily life and connecting with your community. While many places may vary with the quality of cold brew, Laughing Horse is consistent, offering a smooth, reliable balance that helped the coffee shop win the 2023 Coffee Fest Best Cold Brew. Co-owner Mike Nazzaro enjoys a regular iced coffee cold brew best, but he also offers cold-brewed iced tea for those who aren’t coffee lovers.
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Mimi’s Coffee House
37 S Moger Ave, Mount Kisco; 914.864.1646
Born in Ethiopia, Mimi Wieland-Tesfaye thought Westchester was in need of a great cup of coffee ever since she settled down in the county. After opening her cozy shop a few years back, she guarantees customers and community members just that. Wieland-Tesfaye prioritizes the quality and type of coffee for her go-to iced cold brew, ensuring the dark roast maintains an even texture. As coffee lovers sip on their cups, the comfortable environment full of mismatched chairs and jumbles of plants offers a great escape to relax and revitalize.
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The Pamplemousse Project
124 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains; 914.829.4736
The beautiful, open environment of this coffee shop makes for the perfect surroundings to enjoy a nice cup of cold brew. Offering 25 different flavors, Pamplemousse ensures that there is no shortage of ways to enjoy its cold brew. Not only does Pamplemousse have a deliciously smooth blend, but all its profits go to local charities and nonprofit organizations. Branded “coffee for the community,” this White Plains establishment understands the struggle that nonprofits face and has donated more than $52,500 to surrounding establishments since its opening. So, the next time you’re seeking to satisfy your cold brew craving, turn to The Pamplemousse Project to enjoy a sip and give back to the community.
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