As New York swelters under summer temperatures that often soar into the 80s and beyond, a curious coffee culture divide emerges across the city streets. While cold brews and iced lattes dominate the menus of Midtown cafes and Brooklyn’s hip coffee shops, there remains a steadfast minority of New Yorkers who swear by their hot coffee all year long.

James Ramsay, a producer at WNYC/Gothamist, is one such loyalist. For him, the ritual of sipping hot coffee transcends weather. “It’s about the experience,” Ramsay explains in his recent Looped In column. “That steam rising, the warmth in your hands — it’s grounding, no matter how hot it is outside.” His perspective highlights a cultural and sensory attachment that goes beyond mere caffeine consumption.

This stubborn devotion to hot coffee is increasingly rare in a city that sets trends in beverage innovation. The rise of cold brew, nitro coffee, and iced espresso drinks caters to a public eager for refreshment and novelty amid the relentless summer heat. Cafés across Manhattan and Brooklyn report surges in cold coffee sales beginning as early as April, signaling shifting preferences driven by climate and convenience.

Yet, for hot coffee drinkers, it’s not simply about temperature but tradition and taste. Some aficionados argue that the nuances of freshly brewed hot coffee — from the aroma to the flavor profile — are lost when iced or chilled. Meanwhile, baristas note that the craft of hot coffee preparation, from pour-over to siphon, remains a vital part of New York’s rich coffee heritage.

As the city continues to bake under the summer sun, this quiet coffee culture split offers a glimpse into New York’s diverse rhythms and rituals. Whether embracing the chill of a cold brew or savoring the heat of a fresh cup, New Yorkers keep their coffee habits close — a small but telling marker of identity in a city that never stops evolving.