5 Ingredients or Fewer

Iced Coffee

April 18, 2011
5
1 Ratings
  • Serves 1
Author Notes

Every year, usually around this time, I feel the strong urge to make the shift from hot coffee to iced -- and once I switch, I usually stick with it until fall rolls around. It's a bit of a coffee conviction. And I happen to be more particular about my iced coffee than my lattés and drips. To me, it's important that the coffee be strong enough to stand up to a generous ration of milk, but there should be enough ice to ensure that the coffee stays cold, and the sides of the cup dewy. The solution to what seems like an insurmountable challenge? Espresso ice cubes, of course! With just an ice cube tray and a little planning, you too can soon be sipping a frigid, rich iced coffee in the comfort of your own kitchen. —Merrill Stubbs

Continue After Advertisement
Ingredients
  • 1 to 2 cups brewed, cooled espresso
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup coffee, cooled
  • Milk to taste
Directions
  1. Pour the espresso into an ice cube tray and freeze for at least several hours.
  2. Meanwhile, combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a small heavy saucepan and set over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves; when the liquid comes to a boil, simmer for a minute and then remove from the heat. Cool completely.
  3. Put several ice cubes in a large glass, pour the cooled coffee over the top and add sugar syrup and milk to taste. Sip slowly as you read the paper.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

20 Reviews

SEW March 22, 2012
Iced coffee ice cubes, classic! I never thought of that, oh it is so on! I drink iced coffee every day. I tried large glasses or every kind. The only ting that works for me is a quart size mason jar, straw optional. Yum
jayjay358 August 15, 2011
I make coffee ice cubes everyday, use them for iced coffee,and homemade coolattas. To clean the ice cube trays just soak for 10 mins in hot soapy water and then rinse clean. has always worked for me
jean.rhyner August 15, 2011
I make coffee ice cubes everyday, use them for iced coffee,and homemade coolattas. To clean the ice cube trays just soak for 10 mins in hot soapy water and then rinse clean. has always worked for me
jean.rhyner August 15, 2011
I make coffee ice cubes everyday, use them for iced coffee,and homemade coolattas. To clean the ice cube trays just soak for 10 mins in hot soapy water and then rinse clean. has always worked for me
JEANIE April 3, 2014
BY CHANCE DO YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW JEN RHYMER - SHE USE TO LIVE IN WASHINGTON, DC USA. LOVED THAT GIRL AND WHAT BEAUTIFUL ARRANGEMENTS SHE WOULD CREATE! US @ BERGERONS
ravenousroamer June 22, 2011
This reminds me of Vietnam but there they usually add a bit of sweetened condensed milk. Delicious on a hot day and the perfect afternoon treat when you need a little caffeine. If you get the chance to try Vietnamese coffee, do! Its unlike any other coffee. Even if you arent a caffeine aficionado it is well worth the search. The flavor is robust, rich, and a tad smokey. Absolutely wonderful!
Elizabeth D. June 16, 2024
LOVE Vietnamese coffee! It's all over the SF/Bay area in many coffee shops. it's so refreshing on a hot day and boy does it pack a punch!
sissyll April 24, 2011
Want a killer sweetened coffee drink? Add a couple of generous tablespoons of Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk to the bottom of the glass and stir well with the cool coffee before adding expresso ice cubes. Could put you into a coffee coma if you have more than one of these and definitely is addicting!
hey Merrill, have you thought about the weekend version? Instead of ice and milk and sugar, I use icecream and coffee. You can't do it everyday unless you make your own icecream using lowfat milk.... but it is oh so good.

I love my nespresso as well. My mom has a pixi.
Merrill S. April 24, 2011
YUM!
Koolgooseygramma April 24, 2011
Looks Wonderful! I feel like making Coffee Ice Cubes now. One question... Is it hard to clean the trays after making the Coffee Ice cubes? I dont want my regular ice cubes tasting like coffee...
Merrill S. April 24, 2011
Good question. I wish I had a good answer, but I don't usually use ice cube trays for regular ice since I have an ice maker.
Droplet May 29, 2011
Plain white vinegar should do the trick. Works very well for dark tea stains and smell. Actually, any vinegar.
Elizabeth D. June 16, 2024
I soak in hot soapy water for 10 or so minutes - that usually takes care of the stain. But we truthfully drink so much coffee around here that we have dedicated coffee ice cube trays! :)
enbe April 19, 2011
This is brilliant! I'm sitting at my desk drinking diluted iced coffee right now and I couldn't be more bummed that I didn't think of this earlier. Thank you!
Lizthechef April 18, 2011
Isn't that funny? I do the same thing re the iced coffee season and making my own cubes. I just freeze whatever I have a pot of - but stronger is definitely better.
Merrill S. April 24, 2011
Great minds...
Sagegreen April 18, 2011
I love coffee ice cubes!
phyllis April 18, 2011
Good idea with the espresso ice cubes!! I usually combine the two coffees (1/3 and 2/3, but sometimes 1/2 and 1/2 and sometimes all espresso), add simple syrup and a little cream. I drink iced coffee all year round, but more so in the spring/summer. I'm very particular about my hot coffee, too. At home, I drink black Sulawesi that I have mail-ordered every three weeks from Peet's.
dymnyno April 18, 2011
You are absolutely right! There is nothing worse that diluted iced coffee! The cubes are the answer.