Ingredients
Coffee is an important part of the morning routine for many, and making an iced coffee drink at home has been popularized by Starbucks. Home baristas can choose from a variety of coffee drinks that require a few essential ingredients: coffee, sweetener, ice, and cold or half-and-half milk. Starting with a basic recipe for iced coffee, home baristas can experiment with different ingredients and amounts to customize the recipe to their taste.
Brewing Coffee
The most important step of preparing a delicious iced coffee at home is to start with a good cup of coffee. For a great start, use a high-quality medium- to dark-roasted coffee with a flavor profile that you enjoy. Starbucks recommends medium roast coffees like their Pike Place Roast, which bring out a balanced, sweet flavor that is perfect for making iced coffee. When brewing the coffee, opt for a medium grind, and use at least a 1:17 ratio of coffee beans to water.
Combining Ingredients
Combine your favorite sweetener like simple syrup, sugar, honey, or stevia with your brewed coffee before you add the ice. For a classic Starbucks iced coffee, you’ll need one ounce of simple syrup per 12 ounces of cooled brewed coffee. If you’re using a different type of sweetener, you may need to adjust the amounts. To make a classic iced latte, you’ll need 2 ounces of simple syrup per 12 ounces of brewed coffee.
Adding Ice and Milk
Now that the coffee and sweetener are mixed together, pour the mixture into a tall glass or cup and fill it with ice. Use a spoon to stir it so that all of the ice cubes get incorporated into the mixture. Pour 4 ounces of cold or half-and-half milk over the top of the ice and stir. If you’d like, you can use flavored syrups or even chocolate chips to add more flavor to your beverage.
Popularity of Iced Coffee Drinks
Iced coffee drinks have become popular in recent years as more and more people turn to chilled coffee drinks to enjoy their morning cup of joe. According to a survey by Statista in 2018, over 40 percent of people over 18 years old in the United States reported drinking iced coffee in the past month. Starbucks has become the leader in iced coffee drinks, experimenting with different combinations of ingredients to create new flavor combinations.
Health Benefits
A cup of iced coffee can provide more than just a delicious, energizing drink – it can also offer health benefits. In addition to being filled with antioxidants, which have been linked to reducing the risk of certain diseases and illnesses, iced coffee drinks are also relatively low in calories. Starbucks offers light sweeteners that can reduce the calories even further and make the drinks even healthier.
Making it Special
To make your iced coffee drink even more special, consider adding your favorite topping such as chocolate chips, whipped cream, or even espresso grounds. You can also experiment with different types of coffee such as cold brew, which is renowned for its smooth, strong taste that pairs well with ice. And lastly, if you’re looking for an extra boost of energy, some coffee shops offer additional shots of espresso.
Adding Flavours
Iced coffee drinks can be made even tastier by adding flavoured syrups. Some of the most popular flavours to add are vanilla, mocha, and caramel, which can be added directly to the coffee or used to make a sweet syrup that can be added to the drink afterwards. All of these flavours come together to create a delicious, energizing beverage that can get you through your day.
Using Coffee Alternatives
For those looking to shake things up, Starbucks offers a range of alternative ingredients that can be used to make delicious iced coffee drinks that don’t include any coffee. These alternatives can include seasonal syrups and espresso alternatives such as chai tea and matcha powder. From the traditional cold brew to a variety of creative combinations, home baristas can create their own custom iced coffee drinks.
Creating Different Aromas
Adding spices can create a subtle but flavorful difference to your iced coffee. Common spices used to flavor iced coffee include cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom, all of which can be mixed into the drink or brewed with the coffee itself. To bring out all of the ingredients, you can also stir in some marshmallows or ice cream.
Freezing and Blending
If you’re looking to make your iced coffee even icier, you can freeze your coffee overnight and blend it the next day. This will create a slushy texture that is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. You can also use the blended coffee to make a “coffee float” by adding a scoop of vanilla or other ice cream. You can also create a “coffee milkshake” by adding ice cream and milk to the blender.
Toppings and Garnishes
To make the perfect iced coffee, it’s important to add interesting and tasty toppings and garnishes. Some of the most popular topping additions include whipped cream, chocolate chips, coffee grounds, and even edible flowers. Another popular way to decorate an iced coffee is to sprinkle cocoa powder or coffee grounds on the surface of the foam in order to create beautiful patterns.
Experimenting with Hot Coffee
For those looking to experiment even further with iced coffee, you can also make a unique version by using hot coffee. The process is simple: brew hot coffee in the morning, pour it over a cup of ice, and combine it with your favorite ingredients. This can create a unique and interesting flavor profile, and it’s also the perfect way to cool down hot coffee without watering it down.
