The Guide to Iced Coffee

Iced coffee has historical roots tracing back to the 17th century in places like Japan and Algeria. Over time, this beverage has traveled and adapted, becoming popular across various cultures, especially during warm afternoons. Picture a scene where you're outside, the sunlight peeking through trees, and a cool breeze in the air. You have a glass of iced coffee by your side, providing relief from the warmth. Pairing it with a croissant or a piece of dark chocolate can enhance its flavors. Iced coffee isn't merely a refreshing drink; it's a time-honored summer custom that's part of our global heritage. Check out our Coffee Clubs page to compare and read more reviews of our favorite coffee clubs.

How to Brew a Great Cup of Iced Coffee

Choosing Your Beans, Roasts, and Grinds:

When it comes to brewing an exceptional cup of iced coffee, the selection of beans, roasts, and grinds is crucial. Different regions, such as Latin America or Africa, produce beans with distinct flavors and characteristics. The roast level—whether light, medium, or dark—can influence the depth and richness of your coffee. For iced variations, a medium roast often strikes the right balance. Moreover, the grind size plays a pivotal role; a medium consistency is typically recommended. With these considerations in mind, you're well on your way to crafting a refreshing and flavorful iced coffee.

The Classic Iced Coffee Brewing Method

First, brew your coffee hot and make it twice as strong as usual because the ice and milk will weaken it. After brewing, let the coffee cool down a bit. Next, put ice in a glass and pour the coffee over the ice. If you want to add milk or another type of milk, do that after the coffee. If the coffee is strong, you can add more to it without changing its main taste.

Milk Options

Milk and its alternatives offer different flavors and textures to your coffee. Regular dairy milk makes coffee creamy. Whole milk is the creamiest, while skim and 2% are less so. For those who don't want dairy, there are other options. Almond milk has a bit of a nutty taste. Oat milk is smooth and a little sweet. Soy milk has a plain taste that goes well with coffee, and coconut milk has a taste that reminds some people of the tropics.

Flavor Add-ons:

A basic coffee is good on its own, but sometimes you might want more flavor. You can add things like vanilla extract, cinnamon, or caramel syrup. If you want your iced coffee sweet, it's a good idea to use simple syrup because it blends easily in cold beverages.

Alternative Iced Coffee Brewing Methods

Cold brew is created by letting coarsely ground coffee beans sit in cold water for 12-24 hours. This method results in a smoother, less acidic coffee that tastes good over ice. Another way to make iced coffee is the Japanese method, where you pour hot coffee directly over ice. This cools the coffee quickly and keeps its flavor. Coffee can be made in different ways, so you can try various methods until you find the one you like best.

Iced Coffee Around the World

Iced coffee is popular all around the world, and each place has its unique way of making it:

In Vietnam, there's cà phê đá. This is made by brewing robusta coffee over sweet condensed milk. Once it's brewed, it's poured over ice. You can see separate layers of coffee and milk before you mix them. The taste is a mix of strong coffee and sweetness.

Greece has two popular types: freddo espresso and freddo cappuccino. The freddo espresso is made by shaking a double shot of espresso with cold water and ice. The freddo cappuccino adds a layer of cold frothed milk on top, so you can see separate layers in the drink.

In Australia and New Zealand, many people like the flat white over ice during summer. This drink mixes a strong shot of espresso with creamy milk foam over ice, making it smooth and cool.

Thai iced coffee is special because it mixes strong coffee with sugar and condensed milk. Sometimes, they add spices like cardamom or vanilla, making it smell and taste different. It's poured over crushed ice and topped with evaporated milk.

In Japan, they make iced coffee by brewing it directly onto ice. This method cools the coffee quickly and keeps all its flavors.

All these different iced coffees show how each country has its own traditions and each version tells a story about where it comes from.