Whether you're a coffee shop iced coffee regular, or a hot coffee die-hard considering something new, we've written this article to give you some iced coffee basics AND give you the tools to make some iced coffee at home.
What Is Iced Coffee? Hint: It's NOT Cold Brew Coffee
First things first: iced coffee is not just cold coffee. It’s hot coffee brewed and chilled quickly, typically poured over ice. This method captures the rich coffee flavor while adding a crisp, refreshing twist.
Cold brew coffee, in contrast, is steeped in cold water for hours, resulting in a (generally) smoother drink. For those who love the brightness of brewed coffee, iced coffee is the perfect choice (plus you don't need to let it steep overnight).
Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need
Making iced coffee at home is simple and requires only a few essentials:
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Coffee grounds: Use coarsely ground coffee for optimal flavor. Instant coffee will almost always be too bitter.
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Hot water: Helps extract the rich coffee flavors.
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Ice cubes: Essential for cooling the coffee. Using coffee concentrate ice cubes made in ice cube trays can help prevent dilution.
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Milk or milk alternatives (like oat milk): Add creaminess to your drink.
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Sweeteners: Sugar, simple syrup, or sweetened condensed milk.
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Tools: French press, drip coffee maker, moka pot, or another brewing device.
While there'll always be debates about the best brewing method, the truth is that when it comes to iced coffee, you should use the one you like best.
How to Make Iced Coffee
1. Brew Your Coffee (Tip: Use Dark or Medium Roasted Coffee Grounds)
Start with a strong coffee. Use maybe half the amount of water you normally would when brewing to create a concentrated flavor. This ensures your iced coffee remains bold even as the ice melts. Brewing methods like the French press method or a drip coffee maker are excellent choices.
2. Pour Over Ice
There're basically two methods when it comes to a good cup of iced coffee. Some people say let it cool down a bit then add the ice. In general, we think pouring over ice is the better choice (both aesthetically and flavor-wise) if you have a cup or glass that you can fill up to the brim with ice cubes. This is sometimes called the Japanese Style.
Seriously, don't cut corners on the ice cubes, because most of it will melt before your coffee is cool enough to drink.
Quick Chill Method
If you've got a shaker (like the one you'd use for a martini) you can try adding some ice, pouring the coffee in, and shaking it for a while before serving it over ice. This changes the flavor profile a bit, and maybe makes a more refreshing iced coffee, but you probably won't notice the difference if it's your first time trying it.
Tip: You can try shaking the milk with sugar before adding the coffee for more foam!
3. Make It Yours
This is the fun part. You get to customize your ice coffee however you like! Add sweetened condensed milk, oat milk, or regular milk to create a creamy texture. While we can't prove it, we reckon iced vanilla lattes are the most popular iced coffee.
Why? They just make sense! The cold makes the creamy texture creamier, the foam denser, and the sweetness more salient. Experient with your mug until you find a coffee recipe that you'd always prefer iced.
Tips for Great Iced Coffee
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Use Quality Coffee Beans: Medium or dark roasts work best, as their flavors are bold enough to stand out when chilled. The logic behind this is the same as with cold coffees.
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Avoid Bitter Notes: Don’t overextract or use overly fine grounds because the ice will make the bitter notes stand out.
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Look Up Recipes Online: There are so many unique brews out there! Even when you think you know how to make an iced coffee, there's always something new to try and it usually turns out delicious.
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Prep Ahead: Good iced coffee requires you to have mastered normal coffee brewing beforehand. For instance, you might think you can use room-temperature water because it'll all cool down anyway, but that would completely ruin the drink!
Creative Iced Coffee Methods
We talked about amazing recipes before... you didn't think we'd leave you hanging, right? Here's some great variations for when you're making coffee and want something different.
Pro Tip: Make coffee concentrate ice cubes by freezing the coffee overnight. This will save you time and allow you to make better coffees whenever you want!
Iced Vanilla Latte
Combine a shot of espresso or strong concentrate with milk and a few pumps of vanilla syrup. Pour over ice and stir. Add sugar to taste.
Tip: Try almond milk for a different taste and texture!
Iced Mocha
Mix brewed coffee with chocolate syrup, serve over ice and top with whipped cream. Coffee and chocolate always go well together.
Caramel Iced Coffee
Stir caramel syrup into hot coffee, let it cool, and pour over ice. Add milk and a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet-and-salty finish.
Thai Iced Coffee
Mix strong coffee with sweetened condensed milk and pour over ice. You can top with cinnamon or a sprinkle of cocoa. It’s rich, creamy, and perfect for a special treat.
Try It Out
Mastering the art of iced coffee is all about understanding how it differs from other cold coffees and then trying out different recipes. Use coarsely ground coffee, focus on the right brewing techniques, and don’t forget to add lots of ice.