Summer is so close that I can taste it -- literally taste it. And if you are as much of a coffee fiend as I am, but you can't handle a scorching hot beverage in the summer months, there are cooler ways to get your caffeine fix.

Although it will be difficult to say goodbye to my favorite, Starbucks's Caramel Macchiato, as a Penn State student, I have a multitude of cooler alternatives that will help me get through finals week.

Frappuccinos, iced coffees and iced flavored espressos are delicious and refreshing ways to wake you up in the early morning hours or help keep your face out of your notebook while cramming the night before an exam.

After several years of being a coffee addict, I have come up with an adequate list of what I feel are the best options to quench your thirst during the summer.

5. Panera Bread's I.C. Cappuccino Chip

Panera Bread is better known for its delectable sandwiches and soup in a bread bowl; however, its coffee did not fail to appease my taste buds.

My favorite cold beverage would have to be the I.C. Cappuccino Chip, a drink of cappuccino chips blended with espresso and ice and topped with fresh whipped cream.

Ask for your beverage without the whipped cream, and it will be a lot less fattening.

4. Mio Zio Café's Raspberry Mocha Kiss

This beverage from the close-to-campus restaurant has more of a smoothie-like taste, while still giving you just the right amount of caffeine.

It's perfect for when you're craving something sweet but still need your coffee fix.

3. Maxwell House Hazelnut Instant Iced Coffee

If coffee shops are burning a hole in your pocket, don't fret. You can make yourself a yummy iced coffee in your own kitchen. My personal favorite is Maxwell House Hazelnut Instant Iced Coffee.

To make this, all you need to do is follow the directions on the back of the instant coffee package, and you have yourself affordable iced coffee in minutes.

2. Starbucks' cool coffee treats

If you like your coffee straight up -- no syrups, creams or sugars -- Starbucks' Iced Shaken Coffee is your best bet. It's a lightly sweetened coffee that is shaken and poured over a cupful of ice.

It is sure to give you a nice caffeine boost and keep you feeling cool and rejuvenated.

Another option is the Iced Espresso, a highly caffeinated drink shaken over a mound of ice. The only difference is you can order the espresso in a number of different flavors.

My personal favorite is the Iced Caramel Macchiato Espresso. This delicious beverage is created out of milk, vanilla syrup, ice and buttery caramel. Other flavors include mocha, white chocolate and vanilla.

My favorite Starbucks treat -- slightly more exciting than iced coffees and espressos -- is the frappuccino. It's a smoothie-like blend of espresso, milk, ice and the syrup of your choice.

Starbucks offers flavors such as vanilla, cinnamon, mocha or java chip. Mmmmm!

1. Seattle's Best Iced Lattes

Seattle's Best offers similar beverages to Starbucks; however, they are not as expensive and much easier to access on campus.

I love iced lattes, and with them, you can once again choose what type of flavor goes into your drink.

Lattes are also healthy for you because they're full of milk.

Want a low-fat option? Ask to have skim milk in your latte. Even if you don't like skim milk, the coffee flavoring covers up the taste of the milk. This way, you can save your calories for pizza and beer over the weekend.

As the summer months approach, don't worry about going through caffeine withdrawal.

There are many ways to cure your hankering for coffee without overheating your body.

Even if Starbucks doesn't fit your budget, try coffee-shop alternatives on campus or hit up your local grocery store to make it yourself!