The Ultimate Guide to Brewing the Perfect Iced Coffee at Home
Nothing kills an iced coffee craving faster than ending up with a watery, bitter disappointment. Luckily, making café-quality iced coffee at home is easier than you think and it all starts with one rule: brew it strong.
Since ice will dilute your drink, start with a coffee concentrate or brew double strength. Let it cool for a little while before pouring over ice to avoid rapid flavor loss. For an even bolder taste, freeze leftover coffee into ice cubes so that way, as they melt, they add flavor instead of watering your drink down.
Sweeteners can be tricky in cold drinks, so dissolve sugar or syrups while your coffee is still warm. Or, try a simple syrup made by heating equal parts sugar and water until dissolved. Check out our blog on homemade coffee syrups here. Milk and cream add richness, but don’t be afraid to experiment with oat or almond milk for a lighter, nutty twist.
The Japanese iced coffee method has been a game-changer for us!! All you have to do is brew hot coffee directly over ice. The flash-chill process locks in aroma and brightness, resulting in a crisp, flavorful cup that you can thereafter flavor as you like.
Now I know that cold-brew is different from your traditional iced coffee, but if you find yourself in a time crunch or you just aren’t a morning person, you can always stick a jar of water and grounds (in a filter) in the fridge at night so that you have your morning coffee ready for you as soon as you wake up. Cold brew is also less acidic than traditionally brewed iced-coffee, so its easier on the stomach too.
Now I definitely understand the gratification in getting your iced coffee sweet treat from a local coffee shop, but sometimes there just isn’t time or funds from that… Experiment with your brews at home a little, so that the next time a busy afternoon or rainy day rolls around, you can make your favorite beverage in the comfort of your home. It’s also fun to invite some friends over and make crafty beverages for them too!
Happy brewing friends!
- Zoé & The Greenhaus Team
