Mainers are known to drink iced coffee all year long. It could be 10 degrees and snowing and you’d still see a Mainer clutching an iced regular on their way to the office. It’s so common that some cafes have even started serving their cold brew with a sleeve to keep the caffeinated person’s hands warm(er).

But as the weather starts to warm up, iced coffee becomes even more desirable. Clutching your cold brew becomes less about just trying not to get frostbite on your way to the car and more about sipping slowly, savoring the cool temperature against warm hands and tasting summer just around the corner.

The question then is no longer if you should get an iced coffee — the answer is always “yes” — but where.

As Maine’s “hottest” city, Biddeford offers plenty of cool options. Just a walk down Main Street alone will bring you to three unique and trendy cafes serving up some of the best brews in southern Maine.

Elements: Books, Coffee, Beer

265 Main St. elementsbookscoffeebeer.com

Elements is a well-known hot spot in downtown Biddeford. Its interior is soaked in sunlight streaming in from tall windows, and the brick walls are lined with bookshelves and expertly chosen books, all of which are for sale.

In the center of the cafe sits a large wrap-around bar with plenty of seating and space for laptop work, conversation or creative projects.

But the standout element of the cafe is its coffee, which is microroasted in small batches. The light roast cold brew is a different twist — typically, cold brew is made with medium or dark roast beans, ground coarse and brewed in cold water for at least 24 hours.

The choice to use light roast beans makes for a fruity, citrusy coffee with a less acidic taste than other cold brews. It’s easy on the palate while still packing a flavorful punch and pairs perfectly with a leisurely stroll through downtown on a warm spring day.

Catface Café

17 Alfred St. catfacecafemaine.com

Located a short walk off the beaten path in downtown Biddeford, Catface Café appears unassuming on its exterior. Step inside, though, and you are greeted with a long, rustic wooden table, light-flooded window seats and a counter with an almost industrial feel.

By definition, “Catface” refers to a partially healed scar on a tree or a log, paying homage to the mill town’s history of long shifts, hard work and resilience — and strong coffee.

Created in collaboration with Maine Coast Roast, Catface’s cold brew is, indeed, strong. Brewed using dark roast beans, the coffee brings a bold, sharp flavor rounded out by a smooth, slightly sweet finish.

Paired with milk or enjoyed straight up, Catface’s cold brew is perfect for those who need a little more “punch” from their iced coffee.

Time & Tide Coffee

35 Main St. timeandtidecoffee.com

Right down the hill from Catface is Time & Tide Coffee, a brightly colored establishment led by duo Briana Campbell and Jon Phillips. The aptly named cafe sits right on the banks of the Saco River and is bathed in hues of pinks and blues.

Like its neighbors, Time & Tide is known for its small-batch, thoughtfully roasted coffee. The beans are single-origin and carefully selected from the owners’ favorite regions, then expertly roasted in their local production facility to bring out their flavor.

Time & Tide’s cold brew is created with its Clam Bake blend, a medium roast with notes of chocolate, red fruit and cola.

The time and care put into each batch of roasted coffee is evident — it’s light, flavorful and would certainly beat the heat on a hot summer day. It might even taste better on the beach.