Iced coffee is a refreshing and stimulating beverage that can be easily prepared with just a few simple ingredients. It is an excellent way to beat the heat during the hot summer months or to give yourself an energy boost any time of year. Here is a recipe for iced coffee that is easy and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of freshly brewed coffee
- 1/2 cup of milk/cream
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- Clear ice cubes
Instructions
- Start with good coffee: The foundation of any good cup of coffee is the coffee itself. Choose coffee beans that you already enjoy, as they will carry over to the iced coffee. Once you’ve decided on the beans you’d like to use, grind them to a medium-coarse consistency. You’ll need about two tablespoons of coffee per eight ounces of water to make your iced coffee.
- Cold brew: While it might be tempting to use hot water to make iced coffee, this will quickly dilute the flavor of your brew. Instead, try a cold brew method. Steep your ground coffee in cold water for 12-24 hours. Then, strain the grounds out and reserve the liquid in the fridge.
- Sweeten it: While coffee purists will say that black coffee is the way to go, many of us enjoy our coffee with a bit of sweetness. You can add whatever sweeteners you like here, whether it be plain sugar, honey, or flavored syrups. To avoid making it too sweet, start with a small amount of sweetener and adjust to your liking. Pro tip: simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water) dissolves more easily than granulated sugar.
- Add cream/milk: Finally, it’s time to add a creamy element to your iced coffee. Cream, half-and-half, whole milk, and even nut milk work well. If you’re using dairy, you can also whip your cream for a more luxurious texture. Some people even like to add whipped cream on top of their iced coffee, as if it didn’t already taste decadent enough!
- Don’t forget to garnish and add some ice: A finishing touch of something like a sprinkle of cinnamon, cocoa powder or a drizzle of caramel and a few cubes of clear ice could take your homemade iced coffee to another level. Oh, and let’s not forget a (reusable) straw!
Conclusion
Iced coffee isn’t just a delicious summertime treat, it’s also a great way to save money and experiment with different flavors in the comfort of your own home. Whether you like it sweet, creamy, or even with a shot of flavoring syrup, there’s no wrong way to make your own iced coffee. So why pay for an overpriced cup of cold coffee when you can make one that’s even better yourself? Give this recipe a try and let us know how it turns out!
