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Once summer arrives, many of us coffee hounds wonder what to do to get that delicious coffee flavor without overheating our bodies with a steaming cup of joe. Are the frozen coffee ice creams and iced coffee beverages now sold in stores as tasty as a cup of the real stuff? Yes and no...

Sometimes the coffee ice creams -- usually made with instant rather than brewed coffee -- lack real coffee flavor compared to freshly made coffee. The iced coffee beverages are quite good but who feels like sprinting to the specialty store or beverage bar a few blocks away each time you become sacked out from the heat?

Don't despair! With a few additions to your refrigerator-freezer, you can have some refreshing summer coffee blended with a multitude of flavorings to keep you cool and buzzing during the dog days of summer.

Coffee-Toffee Cooler
serves one
Although it can certainly stand on its own, this drink benefits from the addition of the flavored syrup by adding a nice dimension to the taste. The Columbian and Mexican beans suggested in the recipe have a caramel-like flavor which compliments the toffee in the ice cream.

Place the coffee, ice cream, flavored syrup and mineral water in a blender. Process until smooth and frothy.

Pour into a chilled, tall glass. Top with whipped cream and toasted almonds.

Rainforest Crunch Coffee Shake
serves one
Many of these ingredients come from the rainforest countries of South America. Not only does this drink quench your desire for coffee, it is substantial enough to qualify for a quick and filling snack.

Chill the brown sugar-espresso mixture.

Place the chilled espresso, banana, brown sugar-espresso mixture, yogurt and cashew butter in a blender. Process until smooth and thick. Add dried mango and Brazil nuts and stir to blend.

Pour into a tall chilled glass and top with coconut and dust with cocoa powder.

Coffee-Mint Frappe
serves one
A faint resemblance to the southern summer cooler, Mint Julep, because of the use of sugar syrup and mint leaves, but much tastier. Fresh mint must be used or the results will be disappointing.

Allow sugar-water mixture to chill thoroughly.

Place coffee, sugar-water mixture, vanilla extract, heavy cream, frozen yogurt and freshly minced mint leaves in a blender. Process until the mixture is thick and creamy. Pour into a tall, chilled glass with ice and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and top with the chocolate-coated coffee beans.

Raspberry-Mocha Soda
serves one
Raspberries, chocolate and coffee have been incorporated into rich desserts for years. I've taken those addictive ingredients a step farther and put them to good use in this fresh, sparkling drink. Ethiopian beans have been described as exhibiting a fruity, winy taste.

Place all ingredients except the fresh raspberries and cocoa powder in a blender and process until foamy and well-mixed.

Pour into a chilled, tall glass and stir in the whole raspberries to disperse evenly throughout the shake. Sprinkle with the cocoa powder.

Vanilla-Coffee Frostee
serves one

Puree all ingredients except the ground coffee beans in a blender until smooth. Pour into a tall, chilled glass and garnish with a dusting of the finely ground coffee beans.

Coffee-Almond Fizz
serves one

Puree all ingredients except the almonds in a blender until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Pour into a chilled, tall glass or large goblet and garnish with the toasted almonds.