Cold coffee has become a staple of the summer months in the UK, with iced lattes and their seasonal variants found on more or less every coffee shop menu. Although somewhat behind other iced drinks in popularity, cold brew is also a menu staple; and has a brew method and a flavour profile all of its own. It’s smooth, sweet and an incredible way to start drinking black coffee (if this isn’t something you’re currently used to)

What’s The Difference Between Iced Coffees And Cold Brew?

Iced coffees are prepared with an espresso, or for most at-home baristas, an espresso-style extraction- i.e. the Moka Pot. Using a combination of hot water and pressure, these methods extract the oils and flavour compounds quickly. This results in a full and rich flavour. The espresso is then combined with the desired amount of water or milk to make a long drink.

Cold Brew is much different. We use room temperature water to brew the coffee, lasting anywhere from 8 – 12 hours. The ambient brew method is, in our opinion, the very best way to enhance the natural sweetness and flavour characteristics of the coffee. The acidity and bitterness tend to be less pronounced too, meaning that for most, it’s not necessary to add milk. For a more detailed look at Cold Brew and the science behind the extraction method, read our complete guide.

How To Make An Iced Coffee

Get yourself a glass, we recommend 12oz for iced Americano / Latte and 8oz for iced Flat White- and add a generous amount of ice.

• For an Iced Latte or Iced Flat White, fill the glass 2/3 full with milk (or milk alternative) and slowly pour the espresso over the top. This creates the Instagram-worthy marbling that we’re all so familiar with.
• For an iced Americano, simply swap the milk for filtered water and top with your preferred milk.
• Note: If adding a flavoured syrup, do so at the start so it combines fully with the milk.

Our Favourite Coffee For Iced Drinks:

This Great Taste Award winning coffee is perfect for espresso-based drinks. The sweet notes of muscovado sugar, apple and orange come together to create a silky smooth, well-rounded espresso that’s bursting with flavour. We recommend: An Iced Flat White.

To build on this recipe and for those who like to experiment, try the following:

• Add hot chocolate powder to the espresso, this will create a deliciously sweet and indulgent iced mocha. Note: You may have to add extra hot water to combine it fully.
• Consider an alternative milk to introduce new flavour combinations. We recommend Rude Health Coconut or Almond. As they’re naturally flavoured, they provide a subtle flavour that doesn’t overwhelm the coffee.
• Syrups. The best way to create a drink that’s unique- the possibilities are (almost) endless. We recommend a maximum of 8ml per drink so that it doesn’t become too dessert-like. Try it in alongside an alternative milk (we’re thinking of you, coconut vanilla latte)

How To Make Cold Brew

80g – ltr ( +/- 5gaccording to taste) / 10 – 12 hours / Cafetiere grind

This long brew time allows for sweet, nuanced flavours to develop. We recommend using the Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Pot.

• Place the ground coffee into the filter basket and place into the pot.
• Gradually pour over 1ltr of filtered, room temperature water, taking care to saturate all of the grounds.
• Once brewed, remove the filter basket and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. To dilute, use 2/3 cold brew to 1/3 water.

To Serve:

To drink it black: Add a generous amount of ice to a 12oz glass. Fill the glass to 2/3 with your cold brew, topping up the remaining 1/3 with filtered water. Add a splash of milk to taste.

With milk: If you prefer a creamier drink, you can create a 50/50 ratio of cold brew to your milk of choice.

Our Favourite Coffee For Cold Brew:

Burundi has, without a doubt, proven to be our seasonal hero. Sweet, delicate and uplifting. It’s the perfect taste of summer. We recommend: Trying Burundi black, over ice. Or add a splash of milk if you prefer.