Iced Coffee: Many Varieties for Your Summer Caffeine Needs

Iced Coffee: Many Varieties for Your Summer Caffeine Needs
It's summer and the heat has a tendency to make some of us a little cranky. Heat or no heat, this is no time to give up our caffeine needs. Iced coffee to the rescue! All of the caffeine, none of the added heat.

We scoured the internet to find the best coffee recipes for you. (Because we don't want anyone cranky or sweaty or caffeine deprived.) If you haven't tried iced coffee, we urge you to try it at least once this summer.

The easiest way to make iced coffee is to brew a concentrated pot, then pour it in a pitcher and store it in the fridge. When you're ready to drink it, pour it over ice. But this is only one way-- here are the best ideas we found:
  • Perfect Iced Coffee from Damn Delicious: This recipe is easy, but also includes a recipe for a simple syrup (a mixture of sugar and water-- you can keep it in the fridge and use it over several months).
  • Perfect Iced Coffee from the Pioneer Woman: (Yes, our first two coffee recipes both claim they have the "perfect" iced coffee. Make each option and decide for yourself!) If you're ready to step up to the next level of iced coffee, we suggest the Pioneer Woman's brew. She has strong feelings about the ideal qualities of iced coffee and outlines them here. (Personal note: we have tried this recipe and found it to be a life-saver on hot summer days. It's so delicious!)
  • Detailed Directions on Iced Coffee: For those of you who take your coffee brewing to an art form, you're going to want this article from Imbibe Magazine. Not for the faint of heart, this link includes directions on Japanese and Vietnamese versions of iced coffee. You're welcome, home baristas everywhere.
  • Ultimate Iced Coffee (Includes Coffee Ice Cubes!): Sacrifice an ice cube tray and freeze some coffee in it, then proceed with this recipe. Warn guests before they open your freezer-- they will be alarmed at your brown ice cubes. (True story.)
  • Iced Mochas: For those of you who prefer a little coffee with your milk and chocolate, freeze up some coffee and then break out your blender. This recipe from allrecipes.com is sure to please on a hot summer afternoon.
If you have other varieties, we'd love to hear about them!

Older post Newer post