Iced coffee recipes: your guide to the perfect cold coffee experience

At Brændeholm Risteri, we love coffee in all its forms – even when the temperature rises and the craving for a refreshing cold coffee strikes. Iced coffee has become a firm favorite for many, and we certainly understand why! The creamy texture, sweet flavor, and refreshing effect make iced coffee the ideal drink for countless moments. But how do you actually make the best iced coffee at home?

We will guide you through the art of making the perfect iced coffee, whether you prefer the simple and quick version, the creamy and luxurious one, or one with a special twist. We share our best tips on choosing coffee, equipment, and methods, so you can impress yourself and your guests with homemade iced coffee that tastes like it came from a professional barista.

Which coffee should you use for iced coffee?

The foundation of a good iced coffee is always good coffee. Here at Brændeholm Risteri, we roast our beans ourselves on Funen to ensure the absolute best flavor experience. For iced coffee, we recommend a coffee with a bold flavor that can stand up to milk, ice cubes, and any sweetness without the flavor disappearing completely. A medium or dark roast is often a good choice, as they typically have a fuller body and more intense notes.

Our selection of freshly roasted coffee offers many options that are fantastic for iced coffee. Look for beans described with notes of chocolate, nuts, or caramel – these flavor profiles complement the milk and sweetness in iced coffee particularly well. You can explore our selection of medium-roast coffee beans or our dark-roast coffee beans to find your favorite.

If you have espresso equipment at home, our espresso coffee is an obvious choice, as a strong espresso provides a perfect foundation for iced coffee.

The difference between cold brew coffee and strong coffee for iced coffee

There are two primary ways to prepare your coffee for iced coffee:

1. Cold brew coffee: This is coffee steeped in cold water over a longer period (typically 12-24 hours). The result is a concentrated, very mild, and sweet coffee with low acidity. It is ideal for iced coffee because it provides a clean taste without bitterness.

2. Strong, hot-brewed coffee: The faster solution. Brew regular coffee, but with a higher coffee-to-water ratio so it becomes extra strong. Let it cool down before mixing it into your iced coffee. A double espresso also works perfectly.

Classic iced coffee recipe: Easy and refreshing

This recipe is the perfect introduction to homemade iced coffee. It is simple, quick, and requires very little equipment.

Ingredients:

• 1.5–2 dl strong, chilled coffee (preferably from our freshly roasted beans)

• 2 dl milk (cow's milk, oat milk, almond milk – anything works!)

• 1–2 tsp sugar or syrup (vanilla syrup, caramel syrup are popular)

• Plenty of ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Brew your coffee extra strong and let it cool completely. You can optionally brew it the night before and keep it in the fridge.

2. Stir the sugar or syrup into the cold coffee in a glass until dissolved.

3. Fill a tall glass well with ice cubes.

4. Pour the sweetened coffee over the ice cubes.

5. Fill the rest of the glass with milk.

6. Stir gently, and your iced coffee is ready to serve!

Creamy and luxurious iced coffee: For the connoisseur

Are you into a creamier and more luxurious iced coffee that reminds you of those you buy at a café? This recipe uses a blender to achieve the perfect consistency.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 dl strong, chilled coffee (a double espresso from, for example, one of our Sage espresso machines is ideal here)

• 2 dl milk

• 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream or 2 tbsp condensed milk for extra creaminess and sweetness

• 1–2 tsp sugar or syrup (optional if you use ice cream or condensed milk)

• A handful of ice cubes

• Optionally whipped cream and chocolate sauce for garnish

Instructions:

1. Brew your coffee or espresso and let it cool completely.

2. Put all ingredients (coffee, milk, vanilla ice cream/condensed milk, sugar/syrup, and ice cubes) into a blender.

3. Blend at high speed for approx. 15–30 seconds, or until the iced coffee has a uniform, creamy, and frothy consistency.

4. Pour the iced coffee into a glass.

5. Garnish optionally with whipped cream and chocolate sauce for the ultimate café experience.

Iced coffee on the go: Choose the right equipment

For many of us, coffee is part of the morning routine, even when we are heading out the door. With the right equipment, you can easily take your homemade iced coffee with you. We have a wide selection of coffee equipment that makes it easy to enjoy your iced coffee everywhere.

Recommended equipment:

• Thermal mug or thermos: A good thermos will keep your iced coffee cold for hours. Choose one with a good lid that is easy to drink from.

• Portable coffee maker: For the adventurous, an AeroPress can quickly brew a concentrated coffee that can be mixed with cold ingredients on the go, provided you have a mini cooler with milk and ice.

• Coffee grinder: A hand coffee grinder is perfect for grinding your coffee beans just before you brew, ensuring maximum freshness for your iced coffee.

Remember, you can get free shipping on all orders over 499 DKK, so it is easy to gather the necessary equipment and coffee for your iced coffee production!

Variations on the iced coffee theme

Once you master the basic recipes, there are endless possibilities for experimenting with your iced coffee. Here are a few ideas:

Chocolate Iced Coffee (Mocha Iced Coffee)

Add 1–2 tbsp chocolate sauce (or melted chocolate) to the basic recipe. Blend it in if you want an extra creamy consistency.

Caramel Iced Coffee

Use caramel syrup instead of sugar. Drizzle a little extra caramel sauce along the inside of the glass before serving for a nice effect and extra flavor.

Spiced Iced Coffee

Add a pinch of cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg to the coffee while it brews, or stir it into the cooled coffee.

Iced coffee with plant-based milk

Try oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk to give your iced coffee different flavor nuances and consistencies. Oat milk is especially popular for its creamy texture.

Our best tips for the perfect iced coffee

To ensure your iced coffee is always a success, we have gathered some of our best tips:

• Use freshly brewed coffee: Even though the coffee needs to be cold, it retains its flavor best if it hasn't been sitting out for too long. Brew it fresh and put it in the fridge.

• Quality coffee is key: Good iced coffee starts with good beans. At Brændeholm Risteri, we hand-roast our coffee in small batches to ensure excellent quality and flavor.

• Freeze coffee in ice cube trays: To prevent your iced coffee from becoming diluted, you can freeze strong coffee in ice cube trays and use these instead of regular ice cubes.

• Adjust sweetness: Start with a small amount of sugar or syrup and taste as you go. It is easier to add more than to remove it.

• Experiment with milk: Try different types of milk (whole milk, semi-skimmed milk, plant-based milk) to find the consistency and flavor you like best.

• Good equipment pays off: A good coffee grinder ensures a uniform grind, which is crucial for the flavor. A good coffee maker makes it easy to brew perfect coffee every time.

We are proud to supply freshly roasted coffee and quality equipment to all of Denmark. Whether you want to make a quick iced coffee in the morning or treat your guests to a luxurious version, we have what you need. Please feel free to contact us by phone at 30603949 or email at kontakt@braendeholmristeri.dk if you have any questions or would like personal advice.

Equipment for the perfect iced coffee

Making a good iced coffee does not require a fortune in equipment, but some tools can make the process easier and the result better. Here is an overview of useful equipment:

We also offer corporate coffee solutions, where we deliver freshly roasted beans directly to your company so your employees can also enjoy delicious iced coffee at the workplace. We offer tastings to companies so you can find your preferred coffee before committing to a purchase. There are no binding contracts – just good coffee and flexible solutions.

Frequently asked questions about iced coffee

What is iced coffee?

Iced coffee is a coffee drink served cold, often with milk, ice cubes, and sweeteners. It can be made in many ways, from a simple mixture of coffee and milk to more advanced variants with ice cream, syrup, and whipped cream.

Which coffee is best for iced coffee?

For iced coffee, we recommend a dark or medium roast with a full-bodied flavor that can carry milk and sweetness without losing character. Our freshly roasted coffee from Brændeholm Risteri is ideal, especially those varieties suitable for espresso.

How do I avoid my iced coffee getting diluted?

To avoid dilution, you can use coffee ice cubes instead of regular ones. You can also use cold brew coffee, which is a concentrated coffee that handles dilution better.

Can I use instant coffee for iced coffee?

Yes, you can use instant coffee. For the best result, dissolve the instant coffee in a small amount of hot water first to make a strong coffee concentrate, let it cool, and then use it in your iced coffee. However, we always recommend freshly ground beans for the best flavor experience.

Why should the coffee be cooled before being mixed into the iced coffee?

If you use hot coffee, it will melt the ice cubes too quickly, which dilutes your iced coffee and makes it less tasty. Letting the coffee cool completely ensures a cold and concentrated iced coffee.

Can I make iced coffee in advance?

You can prepare the strong coffee or cold brew in advance and keep it in the fridge for up to a couple of days. However, the iced coffee itself with milk and ice should be mixed just before serving to ensure the best flavor and consistency.

Is iced coffee healthy?

That depends on the ingredients. An iced coffee with black coffee, a little bit of milk, and without added sugar can be a relatively healthy drink. Adding large amounts of sugar, syrup, ice cream, or whipped cream will significantly increase the calorie and sugar content.