There's great coffee in Astoria and Long Island City, but what about something more specific - iced coffee? Western Queens has some fabulous iced coffee, brewed in ways to suit all tastes. And it's a perfect way to refresh and cool off in the summer.
1. Queens Kickshaw
The Queens Kickshaw not only serves cold brewed coffee, but it's on tap! It's served in a glass with beautiful square ice cubes. Yes, they are aesthetically pleasing. This coffee - from Coffee Labs in Tarrytown, NY - is so smooth, milk is not required, but it does amp up the rich, round flavors of the brew. Try it with one of the morning pastries from Balthazar Bakery, or with one of its delicious cheddar and mozzarella grilled cheese sandwiches.
Queens Kickshaw, 40-17 Broadway, Astoria, NY, 718-777-0913
2. Sweetleaf
Sweetleaf makes strong, delicious iced Stumptown coffee. It's best accented with half-and-half to amp up the richness, but it is smooth enough to not even need milk. Three sizes are available, in 16, 20, and 24 ounces. The iced rocket fuel is unique in the neighborhood - cold brewed coffee with chicory and maple syrup.
Sweetleaf, 10-93 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY, 917-832-6726
3. Astor Bake Shop
Astor Bake Shop makes many delicious things, but their iced coffee is one of the best things there. Using beans from Stone Street Coffee, it's nice and strong and great with milk. It also goes with some of their excellent baked goods, like the almond croissant and maize almond cake.
Astor Bake Shop, 12-23 Astoria Boulevard, Astoria, NY 11102, 718-606-8439
4. The Coffee Pot
The Coffee Pot is a little place - a fancy bodega - on the corner of 23rd Ave and 29th Street. You can find your regular bodega supplies - toilet paper, ice cream (they have a large selection of Ben & Jerry's), and soda - but they also make a delightful iced coffee. Using Segafreddo coffee, they'll create a delicious iced latte for you. You can even get whipped cream on top if you like. It goes well with their Napoleans.
The Coffee Pot, 28-19 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY 11105, 718-726-1640
5. Rose & Joe's Italian Bakery
Keeping in mind that not everyone is not drawn to very strong coffee, Rose & Joe's Bakery delivers in this respect. Their coffee is no nonsense, basic NYC bakery coffee. It's reminiscent of what you would have seen all over the city in times past. Many people find it quite tasty. At Rose & Joe's, iced coffee is a seasonal thing, and is great with the very nice (and inexpensive) roll and butter combo in the morning.
Rose & Joe's Bakery, 22-40 31st St, Astoria, NY 11105, 718-721-9422