Making the Perfect Iced Coffees in Stylish Coffee Glasses

Iced coffee is the new filter coffee, with countless people ordering these every day. However, due to their size and ingredients, they can often come at quite a hefty price tag when you’re ordering them from your local café. The best thing about an iced coffee, aside from its delicious and fragrant notes, is the fact that you can actually make this drink from the comfort of your home. You can make it as fancy or straightforward as you prefer, adding the level of sweetness and milk type to suit your palate. There are many different ways to go about making the perfect iced coffee and it starts with a few basics, which this article aims to explore.

It Starts With The Coffee Beans

The very first thing that you are going to want to take a good strong look at is the coffee beans that you are using. Now, if you do not have a bean grinder at home or no French press for pre-bought ground coffee beans, then using granulated or dissolvable coffee power is also completely fine. Do not let the lack of coffee beans deter you, just make sure that you add a few extra scoops of dissolvable coffee to the amount you usually use, as you will need that extra coffee bunch to bridge the milk and sweetness level typical for an iced coffee. 

If you are a bit of a coffee fanatic, then you will want to go for a fresh coffee bean, so that you can get the most out of the flavors. The best step to take if you are looking for a strong coffee is choosing a dark-roasted coffee bean. It will be easy to find these, as they are the darkest ones on display at your local coffee house. They will have spent hours over a hot fire until all the fat and moisture has left the bean and all that is left is the dark and acidic notes of a great dark roast. 

Should dark roasts be a bit too much for you, steer clear of them and rather opt for a light to medium roast. This will not give as strong a flavor but if you are looking for a more mild taste, then this is the one. You will easily be able to identify these, as they come in a lighter color. You can then either get them ground for you at your local café if you do not have a grinder at home or if you do, then make a fresh batch at home. 

Remember, coffee beans come from different regions and therefore have different taste notes. Some will be more fruity, while others will have notes of caramel. The ones from warmer regions such as Kenya will taste differently from the ones grown in the forest of Peru, so be sure to ask a local expert about this, before making your purchase. Or, buy small quantities of each and then try your way through them at home until you find the one that you like most. 

Choose the Most Suitable Glassware

Once you have the coffee taste and flavor that you want, you are essentially ready to compile your iced coffee drink. For this, you will want to choose the most suitable glassware to match the occasion. You just spent an hour trying to find the right coffee, the least you can do now is choose the best glassware, to highlight your delicious drink. 

As iced coffee drinks often come with that layered look between milk, ice, coffee and foam, you might want to steer toward a glass coffee cup, so that you can see all your hard work through the side. There are many different glass coffee mugs or glass coffee cups that you can choose from, depending on the feel you want. If you opt for one of your glass coffee mugs with a big handle, you are going for a more cozy feel, that matches being tucked away on your patio with a great book. If you go for one of your glass coffee cups, which are typically a bit smaller and more refined, then this would be a great option for when a friend is coming to visit and you’re ready to impress. Pick one of the coffee glasses that allows your coffee creation to shine brightly through the side due to its see-through nature. That way, you will be able to see all of the layers that you compiled. Speaking of layers, you need to think about the other ingredients that come with an iced coffee which is the milk (or milk alternatives). 

Milk and Milk Alternatives

The next most important thing in an iced coffee, apart from the coffee and the glass coffee cup, is the milk that you choose. Many people opt for full-fat dairy milk, as it balances the strong flavors and acidity of the coffee, however, many do not like the taste of cow milk and prefer alternatives. 

There are many different kinds of milk sources that you could choose, there is: oat, almond, soy, potato, pea, hazelnut and the list goes on. These are typically less thick and sometimes sweeter or more savory than typical milk. It matters not at all which one you go for, it is completely up to you, just remember that you should taste the milk beforehand to see how much sweetener you need to add to balance it well with the coffee.

It Can Be A Party

Iced coffee can be a wonderful opportunity to connect with others who share your passion. Consider hosting an iced coffee-tasting party, where each guest brings their favorite beans or unique recipe to share. This can be a fun way to discover new flavors and brewing techniques while bonding over your love of coffee. You can even turn it into a friendly competition, with guests voting on their favorite creations. Sharing your iced coffee journey with others can make the experience even more rewarding and memorable. It’s a great chance to bring people together and share some delicious drinks. Remember to have a large assortment of sweeteners at the ready, as each person prefers something else. It’s good to have the basics of white and brown sugar but do not forget that you could also add honey, agave or even maple syrup for those who prefer. Oh and one last thing, do not forget to have a nice amount of ice a the ready. After all, it is called an iced coffee, so ice is a crucial ingredient to this drink, crushed or whole.

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