Iced coffee is a delicious drink in the warmer weather, maybe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, some crushed ice or a few spices added. Traditionally, cold coffee is brewed as hot coffee, then allowed to cool. However, it’s possible to brew the coffee using cold water in the first place – it takes longer, but has the advantage that the jug can be stored in the fridge immediately without waiting for it to cool so that it stays fresher, and also the finished coffee has a mellower flavour as there are no acidic overtones.
Put your normal ratio of freshly-ground coffee and cold water into a large jug or bowl. Give everything a good stir round, then cover the jug and put it in the fridge for at least four hours, or preferably overnight, stirring a couple of times during the process. The following morning, filter out the coffee grounds and taste the finished brew. If it’s a little strong, add some crushed ice , cold milk or more cold water. For a decadent cold summery cocktail, add crushed ice and a measure of Tia Maria, Kahlua or other coffee liqueur, or Irish cream liqueur, and sweeten to taste with icing sugar which will dissolve readily in the cold liquid. For a non-alcoholic version, add a measure of flavoured syrup such as caramel or chocolate.
This cold-brewed coffee is ideal for keeping in the fridge for a refreshing drink in the summer, or using in recipes.
Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we’ve got a full range of coffee beans for sale, all at great wholesale prices and suitable for a range of uses and brewing methods. We also stock a wide variety of flavoured syrups, such as Amaretto, cinnamon and gingerbread, to add a little zing to your coffee recipes. For more information, please visit our website at www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.