Iced coffee, one of the simplest coffee drinks with the most approachable taste that everyone can enjoy.
Everything about it is simple, from the brewing method to the way it tastes. Although it is known as one of the preferable drinks among the new generation, people no matter what age are able to appreciate it.
When it comes to coffee, there is plenty of options to choose from. People and their tastes evolve from time to time, which also leads to new inventions and practices emerging as time progresses.
This case applies to coffee quite well since we can all agree that many new types of methods in brewing and the kind of drinks themselves are doing a great job in pleasing people with many different tastes.
Contents
What is Iced Coffee?
Generally, different versions of iced coffee are scattered all over the world. Each and every country has its own takes when it comes to ice coffee depending on the flavor and brewing methods that the respective countries are familiar with. To simply put, iced coffee is a really diverse drink that all people love to enjoy.
There are elements that decide its identity and popularity. Basically to brew a glass, mug or cup of ice coffee is to practice your normal brewing method by using hot water but sugar and other condiments are free to add.
There is not an ultimate universal definition for iced coffee. People choose and decide to make their favorite cups of iced coffee and be happy with it. Most forms of iced coffee that can be seen are the regular iced black coffee, iced latte, iced Americano and more.
People love to mix and add many different flavors to their drinks and make it fun and tasty. There are ways of making it delicious and easy to brew with less time to brew and an amazing taste of iced coffee at the end.
The simple recipes
There are quite a number of useful and easy recipes for a delicious cup of iced coffee. However, you are not obligated to follow each and every step in the exact order for your coffee to taste good.
You can get the general ideas of the basic and main concepts of the recipes and feel free to arrange it to suit your own preference and ideal taste.
When the topic of iced coffee is being put on the table, the first things that come up in people’s minds are iced black coffee, iced latte, iced americano, iced caramel latte and many more. They are not better than one another, it is all up to drinkers to choose which one that they can easily approach based on what they are familiar with and accessibility.
Moreover, most of the main ingredients are trouble-free to get access to and each step in the brewing process is easy to follow.
With just the simple recipes, everyone can get to enjoy the best-iced coffee without putting too much effort into making it while also producing spectacular results at the end.
Starting with iced black coffee, one of the easiest to make at home. The basic ingredients are mainly hot water, coffee grounds, coffee beans, ice cubes, cream, sugar and milk.
To brew an iced black coffee, first, you need to grind your selected coffee beans. Grind it to the consistency that you prefer it to be. Next, brew it in the method of your own choice.
Unlike cold brew, iced black coffee is usually done with hot water. After pouring your black coffee into your cups, glass or mugs, add some sugar for the refreshing sweetness then add in some ice cubes for the finishing touch. Now you have your basic and easy iced black coffee.
The next drink on the recipe list is an ice latte. To brew a simple and delicious cup, glass and mug of iced latte, the first thing you need is a pot of coffee. Pour your coffee into your favorite cups, using transparent glass can make the drink look more presentable and nice.
Add in some sugar to enhance the sweetness. Then get some whole milk or creamer of your choice to add to your coffee. Top it off with some ice cubes and there you have it.
Another way to enjoy an iced latte is to add vanilla into it. Iced vanilla latte has been around for quite some times. The sweetness and the pleasant scent of the vanilla in iced latte will provide you one of the nicest experiences in coffee drinking. This combination of flavor and aroma has been appreciated all around the world by many coffee lovers.
There is also one more way to make iced latte a presentable and delicious drink is to mix it with caramel and call it a caramel latte. This drink has won so many hearts of drinkers all over the world by its sweetness and aromatic scent from both the coffee and caramel.
To brew a nice cup of iced caramel latte, first you need a cup of already brewed regular coffee. Then stir it up with some caramel syrups along with some whole milk. And lastly add some ice cubes and enjoy.
The next star of iced coffee to the recipe list is iced Americano. First, you need to brew a shot or two of espresso-based on how strong you want your iced coffee to be. Then add in the same amount of water as the espresso.
Top it off with sweeteners of your liking. To finish it off with the element that makes it an iced coffee, add in some ice cubes.
These are the typical recipes for iced coffee that all people can simply make at home to enjoy by themself or to impress friends and families.
All of the drinks listed take less time and are super easy to make, therefore you take your time and enjoy the process of brewing and drinking your favorite drinks before going to work or school.
You can also bring it to your office space to refresh and award yourself while catching a glism of break time from hard work.
Cold brew and iced coffee
Cold-brew is one of the most unique methods of coffee brewing. Brewing using cold water and storing it in the fridge overnight is the characteristic that distinguishes cold brew from other coffee drinks. That has also raised a question that asks if cold brew can be stood on the same ground as one of the iced coffees or can it be categorized as iced coffee.
Both of them have their own significant features that define their names. That is to say, they are not in the same categories, at least when it is specified on the term iced coffee. Unlike iced coffee where you can make it and get to drink on the spot, you need to wait 24 hours to get to enjoy a cup of cold brew.
There are more differences than drawing a clear line between cold brew and iced coffee. Cold brew is low in acidity, takes a longer time to make, is less bitter, is more expensive, and lasts longer than iced coffee.
On the other hand, iced coffee is high in acidity, takes less prep time, only lasts after being made, is cheaper, and goes well with various toppings and condiments.
There are still some arguments that insist on making cold brew one of the iced coffee. Even though you can pour the cold brew into a cup, glass, or mug, add an ice cube, and call it iced coffee, that will only degrade the distinct feature of cold brew and its unique brewing method by trying to squeeze it into any kind of category.
It is better to just leave it at that and enjoy it as it is because no matter how much label it has, it is still a great piece of work with phenomenal flavor.
Well known Iced coffee around the world
There are many different ways and methods to make iced coffee. Different parts of the world deliver their own individuality, culture and practices through iced coffee-making methods.
One of those amazing iced coffees is Vietnamese iced coffee. For decades, Vietnamese iced coffee has been a great representation of its respective country due to its unique and distinct taste that leaves people longing for more and will never get enough of it. It is different from iced coffee in the west from the way it is brewed to the types of sweeteners and toppings.
Unlike the west, most Asian-based flavored coffee use sweetened condensed milk as a sweetener. This type of sweetener helps balance the taste by providing just enough sweetness with a hint of aromatic scent and the level of milk that a good iced coffee needs. It is also a representation of Asian culture when it comes to coffee.
Since most of Asia possesses a similar flavor in coffee, it is safe to say that it is on the relatable ground.
This time let’s go to Italy. In Italy, there is a super interesting take to ice coffee combined with the appearance of a desert called Affogato. It is a combination of gelato vanilla ice cream and hot espresso. All the comfort foods in one cup. It is truly one of a kind, to say the least.
To associate the taste of hot espresso which is bitter with a hint of sweetness into it, with the creamy, sweet and cold taste of vanilla ice cream you will get yourself a handful of amazing flavor in the form of both dessert and caffeine drink. This is the kind of flavor that people should at least try once in their lifetime.
However in Ireland, the iced coffee that people from that part of the world love to enjoy every day is quite a simple yet tasty drink. Brown sugar is added instead of the normal and regular white sugar that is normally used as sweetener.
Irish brown sugar iced coffee is a particular drink that packs a hit of amazingly sweet and aromatic taste from brown sugar while also balancing the rich flavor of hot espresso. Another perfect combination for the refreshing mood in the morning.
For coffee lovers who are in love with the taste of caramel inside their brews, you will absolutely be drawn to this special drink. Definitely recommended for those who are big fans of caramel frappe or macchiato, this new taste might leave you stunted and wanting more.
Recently an internet star of iced coffee has made its appearance on various social media platforms. In South Korea, this type of newly emerged whipped iced coffee called Dalgona is being enjoyed by many people while also hastily gaining popularity from coffee lovers all around the world.
Making a cup of Dalgona is super easy and absolutely tasty to have. To make Dalgona, first you need to whip instant coffee, water and sugar together until foamy. Next, pour into a cup of ice and milk. Just like that, you can get to taste a phenomenal cup of flavor and creaminess of the new and innovative homemade coffee.
This is not only a nice-looking drink after pouring into a glass, but it is also a work of art sitting inside the transparent glass showing off the aesthetically pleasing presentation.
Moreover, it is easy to make and takes only minutes to brew. Perfect to share it with companions and family in the morning so that everyone can leave the house to enter the hectic days with positive and good moods always.
What makes iced coffee so desirable to most people?
In this era, we are living in a busy and fast-paced world. Everything needs to be done quickly but without lacking qualities. As for coffee, is it one of the energy drinks that people love to have before entering such an occupied world? It gives people time to recollect themselves by just concentrating on the process of brewing to the taste that they produce.
Nevertheless, not all coffee drinks possess elements that are compatible with that. There are coffee drinks that require much effort into making in order to produce just the bare minimum.
Right tools, brewing methods, right materials and ingredients need to be picked in order to achieve the best result. Some might even take hours to make, which defeats the purpose of being fit into the fast-paced lifestyle.
In the case of iced coffee, people are drawn to it and choose to enjoy it due to its characteristics that overall serve their purpose the best. Unlike most complex drinks out there, it is surprisingly easy to make with the most approachable taste that almost all people can accept.
Basically, it is a simplified coffee drink that people can just grab on the go while also having the time to do something else while at it. It can be made by just using instant coffee or you can grind your own coffee ground at home. Adding fun toppings such as creamer, milk, sweetened condensed milk, caramel, vanilla, brown sugar and many more will enhance the flavor of the coffee and make it even more delicious.
Moreover, it contains just enough caffeine to fuel up your energy for the day. Going on a long drive with an iced coffee in your cup holder is such an amazing adventurous mood. The main and basic ingredients to make iced coffee are also easily accessible and portable. You can get to enjoy your own self-brewed iced coffee while out on a camping trip.
Final Thought
Iced coffee has been a good representative for coffee for the most part. When the topic of coffee is brought up, the first drink that comes to people’s minds would be iced coffee. It is truly a refreshing drink to have for all seasons, especially in summer when the weather can be compensated by a sip of iced cold coffee.
Currently, there is not a definite universal recipe for the best-iced coffee ever. People can just take what they can adapt into their taste preferences the most and make the best out of it.
Fortunately, iced coffee is the most sought drink in the coffee universe. Even beginners who are not familiar with the coffee-making process and taste can be drawn to iced coffee easily and start from there.
For the most part, drinkers are not only in love with iced coffee for its conveniences, affordability, and taste but it is also about the aesthetic, the process of making and the overall vibe that it gives. The process of making coffee can be genuinely therapeutic and calm. People can use that time to revitalize their minds and appreciate their experiences.
References
- What’s the Difference Between Cold Brew and Iced Coffee? | Royal Cup
- What is Dalgona Coffee? The whipped coffee trend taking over the internet during coronavirus isolation | The Conversation | Katherine Kirkwood
Check out this YouTube video on The best vegan ICED COFFEE recipes by Pick Up Limes