“Police work wouldn't be possible without coffee,” Wallander said.
“No work would be possible without coffee.”
They pondered the importance of coffee in silence.
-Henning Mankell, One Step Back
For many people (ok, well, including me), coffee is one favorite morning drink. For me, it's never been about the caffeine, as I enjoy decaffeinated just as much… I just enjoy the aroma and taste of coffee. Making iced coffee is another great way to have your favorite cup of joe!
I don't drink it every morning, but when I do, I usually drink it right out favorite French press. I like to mix it with a little butter, coconut oil and vanilla, or a sprinkle coffee mint cream. On other days, I mix the same mixture into a tea of some kind or just enjoy a plain herbal tea.
Really, there are endless ways to drink coffee… just please, don't drink the kind that comes coffee beans!
Iced coffee for coffee lovers
Iced coffee drinks are everywhere in the summer and usually have more milk and sugar than coffee. While delicious (to some) this type of iced coffee does us no good and can trigger more sugar cravings by flooding our dopamine receptors.
(Still need convincing? Check it out sugar statistics in popular coffee shop options here.)
I found a good alternative in iced coffee, which is not just hot coffee poured over ice. If you like a quality drink, iced coffee stays good until the last drop. It won't thin out as the ice melts and has none of the downsides of coffee shop mixes.
Best of all, it is easy to prepare a glass of cold drink at home. Plus, it saves a ton of money over the Starbucks grande frappe addiction.
The best methods of drinking coffee
How you brew your coffee and which beans you use really have a big impact on the taste. Just compare gas station water coffee to fresh home made espresso!
Start with quality coffee beans
Unfortunately, most coffee beans are contaminated with mold, mycotoxins, and other not so tasty things. A organic, low acid coffee it's a game changer when it comes to making a great cup of cold brew.
Another tip is to grind your beans with a coffee grinder. You can easily control the grind and do everything from grind course to an espresso. Volatile oils degrade quickly after the coffee is ground, so it's best to do it in small batches.
Drip coffee maker
These coffee machines are some of the most common. They use hot water over ground beans in a paper filter and can make enough for a crowd. Because of the way they work, it can result in a more bitter cup of coffee with more acidity. While some people love their drip coffee machines, I much prefer other options.
French press
One of my favorite ways to make coffee. Simply put boiled water and coffee grounds in a French press and let it brew at room temperature. Push the track down and drink hot coffee! This method preserves the volatile aromatic oils that create a more complex cup of coffee.
You can read more about my favorite (and healthier) ways. drink coffee here.
How to make an iced coffee
Iced coffee, as the name suggests, brews cold coffee, for a less bitter and more aromatic iced coffee. The result is a naturally sweeter, full-bodied coffee that isn't watered down by ice.
Some people (like my dad) are coffee purists and would never consider drinking it cold. But if you're not part of that group, try a cold drink! Some people buy special iced coffee makers, but I haven't found them necessary.
To make iced coffee, you will need:
This is! The only downside to this super simple recipe is the need for planning, as this method takes about 12 hours to prepare. The advantage? With a little advanced planning, you can brew coffee in your sleep (Yay for multitasking!).
Recipe for iced coffee
Unlike hot brew, iced coffee uses cold water for the entire process. This results in a less bitter and more aromatic final product that is not diluted with ice.
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Place the coffee grounds and water in your bowl and stir to combine.
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Cover and put the mass in the refrigerator.
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Leave it for at least 12 hours or more than 24.
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Strain through a fine mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter. This process will be slow.
Nutrition facts
Recipe for iced coffee
Amount per serving (1 cup)
Calories 5
% Daily Value*
Sodium 12 mg1%
Calcium 7 mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
- This recipe produces an iced coffee concentrate. Dilute with water or milk and sweeten as desired.
- If you have leftovers, you can freeze them and make coffee ice cubes.
What is your favorite way to drink coffee? How do you like your drink cold? Leave a comment and let us know!
