There's nothing quite like the refreshing chill of an ice cold coffee on a hot summer day. As soon as the heat wave hits during peak summer months, I switch from my evening chai to this instant and easy to make ice cold coffee.
Whether you're a fan of strong coffee, or prefer more bold flavors, ice-cold coffee is a versatile drink that anyone can make at home.
Now, there are various different ways to make Ice-Cold Coffee, and what I am sharing today is probably the easiest.
Making the perfect ice cold coffee at home is a simple yet rewarding process. With a bit of experimentation, you can find the method and flavors that suit your palate.
Why you should try this Ice Cold Coffee
This cold coffee recipe doesn't require brewing in cold water. It can be made instantly without tasting bitter or too strong. You will achieve a smooth, flavorful ice-cold coffee in less than 5 minutes.
Ingredients you need
Instant Coffee - We Indians are extremely fond of Instant coffee, and one brand that is loved by all is Nescafe. I used dark roast Nescafe coffee powder.
Brown Sugar - Brown sugar adds a caramelized taste, and I personally use brown sugar more than white sugar. You can use white sugar too or your choice of sweetener.
Milk - I like to use whole milk, but you can use low fat milk or your choice of milk like almond milk or oat milk.
Vanilla essence - Vanilla essence is optional, but it does add a nice flavor.
Steps to prepare Ice Cold Coffee
1- In a tall glass, add instant coffee powder with brown sugar and vanilla essence.
2- Pour little hot water and using a handheld milk frother whisk for 2 to 3 minutes or until it looks super creamy and pale.
3- Add ice cubes or crushed ice
4- Pour cold milk and stir
It will taste very smooth to the palate and a very creamy consistency. This is my go-to cold coffee, and it is as simple as it can get.
Different kind of flavors you can try
- Vanilla extract
- Cinnamon
- Flavored syrups can add a delightful twist to your ice-cold coffee.
FAQs
Iced Coffee is brewed hot and then cooled down, usually by pouring over ice. It has a taste profile similar to hot coffee but can be slightly diluted due to the melting ice.
Whisking the coffee with sugar and water creates a thick smooth consistency which maintains the creamy smooth texture of the ice cold coffee. You will not get this result if you put everything in a blend to blend ice cold coffee.
Since sweeteners dissolve better in warm liquids, you can use simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water heated until the sugar dissolves) to sweeten your iced coffee. Alternatively, flavored syrups or sweetened condensed milk can add both sweetness and flavor.
To make your iced coffee frothy, you can use a milk frother or a blender. Froth the milk separately and then pour it over your iced coffee, or blend the coffee with milk and ice to create a creamy, frothy texture similar to a frappé.
This cold drink isn't just a summer staple; it's a versatile and delightful beverage that can be enjoyed year-round. Try out different flavors, experiment with different types of milk (whole, skim, almond, oat, etc.) to find your perfect cup of cold coffee.
Here are more summer drinks to try
GINGER LEMONGRASS BASIL SPRITZER
Grilled Nectarine Rosemary Iced Tea
Mattha, Chaas or Spiced Buttermilk
Ice Cold Coffee
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Instant Coffee powder (I used dark roast)
- 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla essence
- 1 Tbsp Hot water
- Ice Cubes
- Milk as per your choice
Instructions
- In a tall glass add the coffee powder, sugar, vanilla essence and water. Then use the milk frother to whisk until it looks pale and frothy.
- Pour ice cubes and then pour cold milk.
- Stir and enjoy.
