As the sun hits its peak, it is natural for you to want to indulge in a tall glass of iced coffee. And even though we all enjoy the occasional iced coffee from our favorite cafe, you could actually make one in your kitchen at home.
Here, you will find instructions for making the best iced coffee within the comforts of your own home. We also tell you how to make one using instant coffee.
The ingredients required for iced coffee are actually as straightforward as you might think. All you need is:
Freshly Brewed Coffee: It's best if you start your iced coffee-making journey with coffee beans. Although you could technically make iced coffee with instant coffee, these do not have the same flavor. Go for fresh coffee beans which are then grinded before you begin brewing. For this recipe, you will need 1 cup of brewed and chilled coffee.
Granulated Sugar: Take 1 or 2 tablespoons of granulated white sugar to add sweetness to your coffee. If you want unsweetened coffee, you could skip this ingredient altogether. However, if you have syrup, you could replace granulated sugar with syrup.
Ice: This one is a no-brainer. Start with a cup of ice but you could always add in or take back some if you want. Ice cubes work best because they are easy to use and will keep your coffee cold for longer.
Milk/Cream: Last not definitely not the least is milk or cream. Start with 2 tablespoons of whole milk, cream or half and half. You can customize the amount of the cream added depending on your preference.
How To Make The Best Iced Coffee
Now that you have everything you need to make the best-iced coffee, it is time to get right to it.
1. Brew The Coffee
The first step in making iced coffee is to prepare your coffee. If you’re starting with coffee beans, we suggest you brew your coffee for at least 1 hour (up to 12 hours). This little bit of planning makes the most difference in the flavor.
Once your coffee is ready, it is important that you allow it to rest. Let the brewed coffee come to room temperature. Or you could also place the coffee in the fridge to help with the cooling process.
A smart third option could also be to freeze the coffee. This way you can simply use them when you like.
3. Pour Over Ice
It's time for the ice. Take a large cup and fill it with ice. Now, gently pour your coffee over the ice. If the coffee runs over, you could remove a few ice cubes as well.
Add the granulated sugar to the coffee and allow it to dissolve completely. You can adjust the amount of sugar you add depending on how sweet you want your iced coffee to be.
Splash the milk or cream into the coffee and stir well. You could also customize the amount of milk you add to your coffee.
The last step is to customize your iced coffee with your favorite things. We recommend you add vanilla or hazelnut syrup to your iced coffee but you can top it off with whipped cream or just plain vanilla ice cream.
Cold brew and iced coffee are distinct cold coffee beverages. Cold brew is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water for 12-24 hours, resulting in a smooth, less acidic brew with a higher caffeine content.
Iced coffee, on the other hand, is brewed hot and then cooled over ice, often leading to a more diluted drink with a sharper taste.
Cold brew's extended brewing process extracts different compounds from the beans, creating a naturally sweeter flavor without added sugar.
Iced coffee retains more of the traditional coffee taste but can become watery as the ice melts.
While cold brew requires more preparation time, iced coffee can be made quickly. Both offer refreshing alternatives to hot coffee, especially in warm weather.
Iced Coffee Recipe Tips
Use double-strength coffee: Brew your coffee at twice the normal strength to compensate for dilution from ice.
Cool it quickly: In order to quickly cool your brew, put it in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
Use coffee ice cubes: Freeze leftover coffee in an ice tray to prevent watering down your drink.
Consider cold brew: For a smoother, less acidic iced coffee, steep grounds in cold water overnight and strain.
Iced Coffee Variations and Toppings
1. Vietnamese Iced Coffee: This is prepared by pouring strong coffee over sweetened condensed milk and ice.
2. Affogato: A scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream "drowned" in a shot of espresso, served as a dessert-like beverage.
3. Iced Caramel Macchiato: This one is prepared with vanilla syrup, cold milk, and ice topped with espresso and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
4. Nitro Cold Brew: Cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen gas, giving it a creamy texture and a frothy top, similar to a stout beer.
