I am an iced coffee fiend in the summer. I like to make a big pot at the beginning of the week and then enjoy it all week long for breakfast or as an afternoon pick me up. Last week though, I wanted to make a version that was a little more special- something worthy of perhaps a summertime brunch that would pair perfectly with a big bowl of fresh berries and a veggie frittata. I made a big pot of strong coffee, then flavored it with a bit of vanilla extract and brown sugar, for a more caramel flavor. A portion of the coffee got frozen into coffee ice cubes (ideal for making sure your drink stays nice and strong), and the rest was chilled overnight. Then in the morning, I topped each glass with a little almond milk and whole milk- my personal favorite combination. The result was a deeply flavored and very refreshing glass of coffee- perfect for these horrendous 100° temps we’ve been experiencing.
Have you ever tried flavoring iced coffee? I can’t wait to explore different extracts and sugars. Enjoy!
The Ultimate Iced Coffee
Makes 4 large cups
- 6 cups water
- 7 T freshly ground coffee
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 5 tsp brown sugar
- regular, almond, or soy milk for topping
The night before you’re going to serve the coffee, brew the coffee. While still hot, add in the vanilla extract and brown sugar. Fill an ice cube tray with some of the coffee, and freeze overnight. Chill the remaining coffee. In the morning fill each glass with a few cubes and fill 3/4s of the way with coffee. Top with regular, almond, or soy milk- or enjoy black!
Oh wow – this is amazing!! Bookmarking.
This sounds and looks delicious. And most importantly for me-easy.
I LOVE this, what an amazing idea. I’m totally sharing this on FB.
Thank you! I’m so glad you like it.
This looks delightful! Love the additions of vanilla and brown sugar – will make this soon!
Ooh that looks so good, I have only just caught onto the joys of caffeine!
I’ve been obsessed with iced coffee myself this year, vietnamese-style (a Tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk instead of regular milk). Delish on a hot day!
I’ve been obsessed with iced coffee lately, really should start making my own!
Try cold brewing your iced coffee. Takes all the bitterness out of brewing it hot, then cooling it
Mmm! Love this. Sounds perfect. Aren’t coffee cubes the best??
Visiting from Grace’s site… eager to check out your blog.
I love how you combined those delicious and sweet flavors — I never really thought about adding them to my iced coffee. I also love that you freeze some coffee in ice cube trays. I love my iced coffee with extra ice, but I always find that the more ice I add, obviously the more watery it will taste. This will definitely fix that problem!
Oh my word, perfection, so making tomorrow!
thank you!
So are you saying to fill the glass with a few cubes, and then add the left over coffee from the night before too?
Yes, that’s correct! I usually do three or four cubes, fill with coffee until it’s just covering the cubes, and then top with milk or whatever you like.
By the way, I started to freeze coffee in ice trays after reading this post and it has seriously saved my life — thanks girl!
I always add brown sugar and vanilla! It IS truly the best!