Top 5 cool treats for summer

By Lisa Nguyen Tue., Jun. 26 2012 at 8:52 AM

Categories: Top 5

Summer treats are the best kind.

The heat index is supposed to top 100 tomorrow. It's time to start thinking of ways to cool off during the hot summer months to come. And what better way than to treat yourself to something cold and refreshing to eat or drink?

When the sweltering heat begins to try your patience, when you've spent too many hours at the beach and need something to take your mind off the sting of a fresh sunburn, a sweet, indulgent pick-me-up is just what you need. The standard ice cream cone will work, of course, but if you're looking for something a bit out of the ordinary, here are five of our favorite cool treats for summer.

1. Brr Bars from Sebastian Joe's

Sebastian Joe's Oreo ice cream is possibly the greatest version of a cookies and cream ice cream there ever was. Now, take it to the next level, Minnesota style: Put it on a stick and dip it in chocolate. It becomes the ideal portable treat. Brr Bars are also very generous in size, so impress your significant other by sharing a few bites.

2. Stryker's Cooler from Moto-i

Tony Nelson

A Styker's Cooler goes well with this patio

While its neon blue color is a bit alarming at first glance, push all reservation aside and order everyone at your table a round of Stryker's coolers. Moto-i's take on the adult lemonade, this cocktail consists of sake, St. Germain, and blue curacao. The elderflower mellows the tartness of the lemonade and makes this beverage very easy to indulge in. So next time you're suffering through another day of 80 percent humidity, the kind that is inevitable in August, head to the bar at Moto-i.

3. Affogato from Kopplin's Coffee and Izzy's Ice Cream
We all know the pain of the post-lunch food coma. It's even worse in the summer, when you could be napping in the sun instead of plodding through the rest of your workday. Never fear, we have a treat for exactly that situation. The affogato, meaning "drowned" in Italian, is espresso poured over vanilla ice cream or gelato. Yes, it's as delightful as it sounds. Not only will you get a much-needed jolt of caffeine while satisfying your sweet tooth, you'll be supporting two local businesses at the same time.

4. Salted Caramel frozen yogurt from the Yogurt Lab

Photo by Yogurt Lab

The Yogurt Lab is quite the self-serve frozen yogurt experience. With 16 flavors and more than 60 toppings, the options seem endless. We particularly recommend the Salted Caramel flavor with a whole bunch of cheesecake pieces piled on top. The Yogurt Lab also features dairy-free, sugar-free, and gluten-free flavors daily.

5. Horchata from Salsa a La Salsa

Tony Nelson

While there are many variations on horchata, the Mexican-style from Salsa a La Salsa is hard to beat. This agua fresca, made from rice, cinnamon, and bit of sugar, is just the right combination of creamy and cool -- the perfect after-dinner drink to lower your temperature after spicy Mexican food on a sultry summer night. Horchata is made from steeping rice, so it's dairy free.