Make Ahead

Infused coffee ice cubes

by:
April 18, 2011
4
1 Ratings
Infused coffee ice cubes
  • Makes 14 cubes
Author Notes

Well I think this is worthy of its own post. These can be very handy. You can make batches with different flavors. When I heard Michael Phillips as the World Barista Champion this past fall speak about how he smuggled in fresh rhubarb from the states for the competition in London to have control quality, he gave me license to experiment, humbly, of course. He did inspire me to think about coffee infusions in a whole new way. You can certainly sneak in some grated fruit flavors; test them out as you go. Rhubarb is first on the list, as soon as we can get some. Add or subtract from my suggested list as you like. —Sagegreen

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 cups filtered water
  • 4-6 tablespoons freshly ground fresh Arabica coffee beans, depending upon desired strength
  • 2 tablespoons fresh grated orange zest (cara cara preferred) divided
  • 2 teaspoons Meyer lemon zest, divided, optional
  • 2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger, divided
  • 1 teaspoon ground fennel seeds, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom seeds, crushed, divided
  • optional sweetener-Muscovado or turbinado sugar, to taste
Directions
  1. Bring the water to a near boil. Spoon in the ground coffee beans, with half the zest and spices to a cone filter. Add the remaining zest and spices into the brewing pot. Slowly pour over 1/4 cup of the hot water into the filter. Let if brew slowly through the mix. Wait one minute. Then slowly pour the remaining water in the filter to complete the brew. Sweeten to taste if you like. Let cool.
  2. Pour the cooled coffee (with the zest in or strained out) into an ice cube tray. Freeze overnight. Release the cubes and place in an air tight container or ziplock bag for future use. Label and note the ingredients you used in the batch: You may want to make other batches with other variations, and you will want to know the differences. Wash out the ice cube tray to prevent staining.
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8 Reviews

checker
checker April 18, 2011
I have heard of this with plain coffee, but not with all the delicious additions. Other than milk or cream what would you serve with these beauties? I am almost thinking as a cocktail with Mount Gay Rum or something. What do you think?
 
Sagegreen
Sagegreen April 18, 2011
Oh that does sound fine. I have been toying with Akvavit, Domaine de Canton and vodka.
 
boulangere
boulangere April 18, 2011
And gorgeous photo!
 
Sagegreen
Sagegreen April 18, 2011
Thanks! That is another thing I have been working on....there has got to be a class to help with this part.
 
boulangere
boulangere April 18, 2011
Extremely clever. Heavenly flavor combination.
 
Sagegreen
Sagegreen April 18, 2011
Thanks, b. It has been great fun to test these out. These are my favorites, but of course you could go anywhere with these, like to cloves and allspice as TiggyBee does in her lovely drink.
 
singing_baker
singing_baker April 18, 2011
What a great idea! I've done this with regular coffee but your addition of the zest and spices is genius!
 
Sagegreen
Sagegreen April 18, 2011
Thanks, s_b. I have been playing with the spices. You can roll in several, so the flavors then just melt right into your drink