Craving a cold coffee on a hot day? Try our DIY iced filter coffee recipe and impress your friends and family with your barista skills. Learn the secrets to a perfect cup.
Iced coffee is a popular beverage enjoyed all year round, especially during hot summer months. While many coffee shops offer iced coffee, it can be expensive to buy regularly. Luckily, making iced coffee at home is easy and affordable with the right equipment and ingredients. In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious iced filter coffee at home.
Choosing the right coffee beans
The quality of the beans you use will greatly affect the taste of your coffee. When selecting coffee beans, consider the origin, roast level, and flavor profile. For iced coffee, we recommend using medium to light roasted beans with a bright and fruity flavor profile. Some popular beans that work well for iced coffee include Ethiopian, Kenyan, and Colombian.
Grinding the coffee beans
Grinding your coffee beans just before brewing is essential for maximum flavor extraction. There are two types of coffee grinders: blade and burr. Burr grinders are preferred for filter coffee as they produce a consistent grind size. For iced coffee, we recommend a medium-coarse grind size, similar to sea salt.
Brewing the coffee
To brew filter coffee, you will need a pour-over or drip coffee maker, filter paper, and water. We recommend using a ratio of 1:15 coffee to water for a balanced taste. The water temperature should be between 195-205°F for optimal extraction. Follow these steps for brewing coffee:
- Boil water and let it cool for 30 seconds.
- Place the filter paper in the coffee maker and add the ground coffee.
- Pour hot water over the coffee, starting from the center and working your way outwards in a circular motion.
- Wait for the coffee to drip through the filter into the carafe.
Making iced coffee
There are two main methods for making iced coffee: the hot brew method and the Japanese iced coffee method. The hot brew method involves brewing hot coffee and pouring it over ice, while the Japanese method involves brewing coffee directly onto ice. Here’s how to make iced coffee using both methods:
Hot Brew Method:
- Brew coffee using the pour-over or drip method as described above.
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour the hot coffee over the ice.
- Add milk or sweetener if desired.
- Stir and enjoy.
Japanese Iced Coffee Method:
- Place a glass filled with ice under the coffee maker.
- Brew coffee using the pour-over or drip method directly onto the ice.
- Add milk or sweetener if desired.
- Stir and enjoy.
To serve iced coffee, you can add milk or sweetener according to your preference. We recommend storing leftover coffee in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. To prevent dilution, you can also freeze leftover coffee in ice cube trays and use them in future iced coffee recipes.
Enhancing the Flavor of Your Iced Coffee with Milk
Adding milk to iced coffee is a common practice that can enhance the flavor and texture of the drink. If you prefer your iced coffee with milk, simply add it to the coffee after brewing and stir well. You can also experiment with different types of milk, such as whole milk, almond milk, or oat milk, to find your preferred taste. To avoid diluting the coffee, you can also use coffee ice cubes instead of regular ice cubes.
