How to Make Iced Coffee with Coffee-Infused Ice Cubes

Making iced coffee with coffee-infused ice cubes is a fantastic way to enhance the flavor and presentation of your iced coffee. This method involves making the cubes in advance, allowing you to enjoy perfectly flavored iced coffee whenever you want. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your ice cubes and serve them in a variety of ways, including customizations that will elevate your iced coffee experience.

Part 1 of 3: Making the Coffee Ice Cubes

Making coffee-infused ice cubes is a simple process that involves a few steps. Here's how you can do it:

Place a disposable or reusable filter in the filter basket and add 6 tablespoons (32g) of ground coffee to the filter. Replace the filter basket in the coffee maker. Fill the water reservoir with 2 cups (470ml) of water. Place the coffee pot below the drip spout and turn the coffee maker on. Allow the coffee to brew which will take about 5 minutes.

For coffee ice cubes that aren't as strong, use 5 tablespoons (26g) of coffee instead. You can also brew the coffee using the pour over method or cowboy style if you don’t have any coffee making equipment.

Cool the coffee for up to an hour. Once the coffee has finished brewing, turn off the coffee maker. Remove the pot from the coffee maker and transfer the pot to a heat-proof surface. Leave the coffee to cool for 30 to 60 minutes. This will prevent the hot coffee from melting the ice cube tray.

When the coffee has cooled to room temperature, carefully pour the brew into a clean ice cube tray. Each well will hold 2 tablespoons (30ml) of coffee. Because a standard ice cube tray has 16 wells, your pot of coffee will fit perfectly into a standard ice cube tray. You may need to use 2 trays if your ice cube size is different.

Freeze the coffee for up to 4 hours. The cubes will need 3 to 4 hours to chill through completely. Avoid opening the freezer door during this time to prevent increasing the freezing time.

Transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. Once the coffee cubes are frozen through, remove the tray from the freezer. Gently twist each end of the tray in opposite directions to loosen the coffee cubes. Remove the cubes from the tray and move them to a freezer bag or airtight container for storage. These cubes will last in the freezer for 3 to 4 weeks.

Wash the ice cube tray well with soap and water before using it to make regular ice again.

Part 2 of 3: Making the Iced Coffee

Brew a fresh pot of coffee. Discard the disposable filter from the coffee maker or clean the reusable filter. Place a fresh filter into the filter basket and add 6 tablespoons (32g) of ground coffee. Fill the reservoir with 2 cups (470ml) of water. Clean the coffee pot with soap and water and rinse it well with water. Dry the coffee pot and replace it under the drip spout. Turn the coffee maker on to brew the coffee. You can use any coffee you like to make iced coffee, including espresso, stove-top espresso, or pour over coffee.

Cool the coffee for 5 minutes. When the coffee has finished brewing, turn off the machine and remove the pot. Place the pot on a heat-proof surface to cool for a few minutes. This will help prevent the cold glass from shattering when you add the hot coffee.

Fill 2 tall glasses with coffee ice cubes. Divide the coffee ice cubes evenly between the 2 glasses. If you just want to make a single iced coffee, fill one glass with cubes and leave the rest in the freezer for another time. If you have leftover coffee, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to a few days. Alternatively, you can use leftover coffee to make more coffee ice cubes.

Pour the fresh coffee over the ice cubes. Fill each glass the rest of the way with fresh coffee. Though some of the cubes will melt, they won't water down the beverage. The iced coffee is ready to drink as soon as you pour the coffee. You can customize it by adding sweetener, milk, or other flavors and garnishes.

Part 3 of 3: Serving Iced Coffee

Add sweetener for a sweeter beverage. Stir in a teaspoon (5ml) of liquid sweetener, such as honey, maple syrup, agave, simple syrup, or molasses. Liquid sweeteners are preferable in iced coffee because granulated sugar won’t dissolve properly in a cold beverage.

Add your favorite milk for a creamier treat. Stir in 1 cup (59ml) of your favorite milk, such as skim, 1 percent, 2 percent, or whole milk, heavy cream, whipping cream, soy milk, almond milk, or coconut milk. You can also use sweetened condensed milk if you prefer a sweeter option with creaminess.

Customize your coffee with flavored syrups. Coffee syrups come in a variety of flavors and you can use them to completely change your iced coffee experience. Use sugar-free syrup if you've already added a sweetener or don't want sweetened coffee. Popular syrup flavors for coffee include hazelnut, butterscotch, vanilla, chocolate, gingerbread, peppermint, and more.

Top the coffee with a dollop of whipped cream. Whipped cream is one of the most popular ways to finish specialty coffees, including iced coffee. Drop 1 or 2 spoonfuls of whipped cream over the iced coffee before serving. For a non-dairy alternative, use coconut whipped cream instead.

Finish it with spices. Spices that pair well with coffee include cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cardamom. To add an extra dimension to your iced coffee, stir in a dash or dust the top of the whipped cream with your favorite coffee spice.

Sprinkle on some toasted coconut. Toasted coconut is sweet, creamy, and slightly nutty, and it makes an excellent garnish for iced coffee. Sprinkle 1 to 2 teaspoons (2 to 4g) of toasted coconut over the whipped cream, or directly onto the iced coffee.

By following these steps, you can create a variety of delicious iced coffee that will be a hit with friends and family. Experiment with different coffee beans, sweeteners, milks, and syrups to find your perfect iced coffee flavor. Don't hesitate to share your creations with others and enjoy the numerous flavors and aromas of your carefully crafted coffee.