Once your cold brew is ready, don't rush to drink it straight away - although it is already very refreshing on its own, cold brew is actually a highly versatile "base": it has low bitterness, plenty of sweetness and clean flavors, so it pairs with almost anything. With just a little effort, you can create a whole summer drink menu.

This article rounds up 6 ways to drink cold brew, from simple to advanced - there is sure to be one that suits you.

Straight up: the most refreshing way to open

Method: cold brew plus ice cubes. Cold brew is already smooth enough on its own; add a few ice cubes and you have a clean, refreshing iced coffee. If you want to experience the beans' own flavors, drinking it straight is the standard answer.

As for recommended beans, Qianjie Yirgacheffe Gudingding's citrus, berry and floral notes become even more refreshing when chilled, and the green tea sweetness in the finish is very pleasant; if you want to experience a "juicy" character, choose Qianjie Huakui, with prominent tropical fruit aromas, plenty of sweetness and low bitterness.

Cold brew latte: silky without being cloying

Method: 2 parts cold brew plus 1 part milk (or oat milk), add ice. The body of the cold brew plus the silkiness of the milk makes it more refreshing than a hot latte, suitable for those who dislike richness. Swap in oat milk and the malty aroma also pairs well with the coffee's fruitiness.

As for recommended beans, Qianjie Strawberry Candy cold brew blend's strawberry gummy-like sweet aroma and milk are a match made in heaven, drinking like a strawberry milkshake with a cup of coffee hidden inside; with regular milk, pair Qianjie Yirgacheffe Gudingding, refreshing without overpowering.

Cold brew sparkling water: the refreshing drink of the coffee world

Method: 1 part cold brew plus 2 parts sparkling water, add ice cubes and a slice of lemon or lime. The sparkling water "lifts" the cold brew's fruitiness, giving a refreshing, lively mouthfeel, while the lemon's tart aroma adds another layer of complexity. Paired with a plate of small cookies on a summer afternoon, the joy is doubled.

As for recommended beans, Qianjie Colombia Sidra's double anaerobic natural brings a passion fruit and grape juice character; when it meets sparkling water, the bubbles burst open full of fruit aroma, like a coffee-flavored fruity sparkling drink.

Fruit coffee special: the collision of juice and cold brew

Method: 1 part cold brew plus 1 part freshly squeezed juice (orange juice or grape juice both work), add ice cubes. Fruit coffee is a popular summer way to play; the cold brew's clean flavors won't cover the juice's fruitiness, but instead bring out the best in each other, with rich layers.

As for recommended beans, Qianjie Kenya Little Tomato's bright tartness of cherry tomato and smoked plum and full juicy body, once mixed with juice, taste like an upgraded version of fresh juice, with balanced sweet and tart notes and very high distinctiveness.

Cold brew tonic: with a touch of "grown-up"

Method: 1 part cold brew plus 1 part tonic water, add ice cubes and a piece of orange peel. The tonic water's slight bitterness and bubbles contrast with the cold brew's sweetness and fruitiness, sweet within bitter, refreshing and invigorating. People who like a slightly bitter taste will love it.

As for recommended beans, Qianjie Huakui has plenty of sweetness and strong fruitiness, which just neutralizes the tonic water's bitterness, drinking with rich layers.

Straight up, advanced: a cup that tastes "premium"

Method: add nothing, but use the right beans. If you want cold brew to taste stunning, try a legendary-level bean - Panama Hacienda La Esmeralda Red Label Geisha. It carries jasmine floral notes, along with delicate flavors of citrus, bergamot and black tea, with a clean, transparent mouthfeel and a long sweet finish; after cold brewing, the aroma becomes even more restrained and elegant.

One batch of cold brew, six possibilities

Make a pot of cold brew and keep it in the fridge, then switch up the variations whenever you want a drink. In the morning, straight up or a cold brew latte, a refreshing start to work; in the afternoon, cold brew sparkling water or fruit coffee, invigorating and satisfying; in the evening, cold brew tonic, slightly bitter and refreshing. One pot of cold brew, paired with different beans and ingredients, can cover your entire summer.