ARTICLE
February 1, 2023 – 3 min read
Warmer days are here, and sipping an iced coffee is one of the most refreshing ways to cool down and get your caffeine hit. Whether you prefer to brew with the seasons or see yourself as a regular iced coffee drinker, there’s an art to creating a barista-quality cold beverage. So fire up your trusty coffee machine (or upgrade to the latest model!), get your milk frother and coffee grinder at the ready, and let the good times pour!
We’ve got the best recipe to step you through how to make an iced coffee, plus all the latest coffee machines and accessories to help you perfect your brew.
The latest coffee machines bring the cafe to your kitchen countertop, offering all the best grinding, roasting and brewing features.
“The latest coffee machines are great at packing and pressing beans for a strong and tasty coffee,” says Tracey Ellis, The Good Guys Buyer – Portable Appliances.
“For the ultimate home set-up, Delonghi offers automatic machines with iced coffee modes. At the touch of a button, the machine automatically grinds, brews and cools."
When it comes to preparation, iced coffee starts like your usual cappuccino, latte or long black. According to Nick Ferrara, National Coffee Training Manager at Lavazza, it’s a matter of hot versus cold.
“For most hot coffee-based drinks, the espresso is prepared first as the base, then combined with steamed milk. Iced coffees, however, are best served over ice with cold milk or ice cream. We recommend slowly pouring your espresso to create a beautifully layered drink,” says Nick.
So whether you’ve got a manual, automatic or capsule coffee machine, simply brew as you do and swap hot milk for cold milk and ice.
There’s a whole grounding, steeping and draining process behind cold brew, which offers a naturally sweeter version of regular coffee.
“The base of an iced coffee is a hot espresso, whereas cold brew is a coffee brewed to be inherently cold. Cold brew can be used to make iced coffees, but you’ll often require more coffee to create a strong coffee,” says Nick Ferrara.
Coarsely ground coffee is steeped in cold water for at least 12 hours, which creates a coffee concentrate to be mixed with icy milk or water. It’s a great set-and-forget method for those rushed weekday mornings, but it does require a bit of forethought.
For an inventive iced coffee, here’s how to elevate a classic with the likes of spices, ice cream, and even alcohol!
Top your usual iced coffee with cold foam, and you’ve got an iced latte! Get that barista-quality finish at home with the latest milk frothers, made to create a creamy topper for your morning coffee.
For a classy Italian dessert, simply pour an espresso shot over a scoop of your favourite ice cream and enjoy.
Hot Tip: Use decaf for a dessert that won’t have you buzzing before bed!
Spices like mint and cinnamon can give your iced coffee an extra flavour kick, while the likes of vanilla, caramel and hazelnut syrups bring sweetness. Coffee too bitter? Add a sprinkle of salt for a smoother sip.
Caffeine and alcohol are a blend for the brave but will elevate your coffee. Try a splash of coffee liqueur, Bailey’s or coconut rum for a spirited addition.
Calling all iced coffee connoisseurs! Come see us in-store or online for the best deals on the latest coffee machines and milk frothers that’ll have you pouring like a pro.