Making iced coffee at home is a simple, in fact almost too simple, process that involves making your ideal coffee and then cooling it down with ice. I find that making iced coffee with a splash of vanilla or caramel syrup makes a deliciously refreshing drink - much better than Cold Brew in my opinion.
Ingredients:
- Freshly brewed coffee (use your preferred fresh roasted coffee beans)
- Ice cubes (of course!)
- Milk, cream, or a non-dairy alternative (optional)
- Sweetener such as sugar, syrup, or a sugar substitute (all optional)
Equipment:
- Coffee maker or French press
- A jug of a reasonable size
- Glasses to drink it from
- A spoon for stirring (or your finger if it's a hot day!)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Brew Your Coffee
Start by brewing a strong cup of coffee. The coffee should be stronger than usual because it will be diluted by the ice. Here are a few methods to brew your coffee ready to be iced:
- Drip Coffee Maker: Use double the amount of coffee grounds you normally would to make a stronger brew.
- French Press: Add about half as much again of coffee grounds than usual. For example, use three tablespoons of coffee grounds per cup of water instead of two.
- Cold Brew: Combine one cup of coarsely ground coffee with four cups of cold water. Let it steep in the fridge for 12-24 hours. Strain using a fine filter, such as a drip coffee maker filter.
2. Cool Down the Coffee
Once your coffee is brewed, let it cool to room temperature. You can speed up this process by placing the coffee in the fridge. If you’re in a hurry, you can pour the hot coffee over a cup full of ice to cool it instantly, but this may dilute the coffee more than desired.
3. Get the Ice Ready
Fill a glass with ice cubes. The amount of ice depends on your preference. More ice will cool your coffee faster and keep it cold longer, but it will also dilute the coffee more.
4. Use a Sweetener (Optional)
If you like your coffee sweet, add your preferred sweetener to the hot coffee before cooling it. This ensures the sweetener dissolves completely. Common options include sugar, simple syrup (sugar dissolved in water), or a sugar substitute.
5. Serve
Pour the cooled coffee over the ice cubes in your glass (you did want it cold didn't you? - that's what this post is all about after all!). Leave some room at the top for any milk or cream if that's what you want.
6. Add Milk or Cream (Optional)
Add milk, cream, or any non-dairy alternative to your iced coffee if you like. Stir well to combine. You can experiment with different types of milk, such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk, to find your favourite flavour combination.
7. Enjoy
Your iced coffee is now ready to enjoy. Feel free to add a garnish, such as a cinnamon stick or a sprig of mint, for an extra touch of flavour and presentation. Or you could dispense with the pleasantries and just chug it down.
Tips for the Perfect Iced Coffee:
- Use fresh coffee beans for the best flavour. You really knew I'd say that.
- Try adding flavoured syrups, like vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut, to customize your iced coffee.
- Freeze leftover coffee in ice cube trays and use these cubes in your iced coffee to prevent dilution.
- If your iced coffee tastes too weak, increase the coffee-to-water ratio when brewing. If it’s too strong, add more ice or milk.
Conclusion
See I told you it would be easy. Basically make hot coffee and cool it down with ice. Try not to mess it up!
All the best
Dave