On a warm afternoon, the nicest coffee might be the one with ice clinking against the glass. Something to carry out to the verandah, sip while reading a few pages or enjoy after the weekend errands are finally done.
Making iced coffee at home can be simple. Start with coffee you like, plenty of ice and milk if you want it. The extras can come later.
A simple iced latte to start with
For one glass, use a freshly brewed espresso, a generous handful of ice and around 150–200 ml of cold milk or your preferred milk alternative. Treat the milk quantity as a starting point: use less for a stronger drink or more for a gentler one.
- Fill a heat-safe glass with ice.
- Pour in the cold milk, leaving room for the coffee.
- Add the espresso carefully, stir and taste.
- Adjust with a little more milk if you like.
If you enjoy sweetness, dissolve a little sugar in the warm espresso first. Start small. A sweet syrup can quickly become the main flavour.
No espresso machine? Keep it easy
Instant coffee makes a handy version. Prepare a small, concentrated amount according to the pack directions, using enough hot water to dissolve it, then combine it with cold milk and ice. Drizzly’s Speciality Instant Coffee is a practical cupboard option for this kind of everyday drink.
Freshly brewed filter or plunger coffee works too. Chill it promptly in a suitable container rather than leaving it on the bench all afternoon. Add ice when you are ready to serve. You do not have to make an overnight cold brew to enjoy a cold coffee.
Find a flavour you enjoy with milk
If you are brewing beans, familiar chocolate and toffee notes are an approachable starting point. Drizzly’s Heritage Blend brings that flavour direction, alongside brown sugar notes and a little fruit-like brightness.
Milk, brewing strength and melting ice will change what you notice. Taste before adding anything else. You may find it needs nothing more than a stir.
Make one small change at a time
Too watery? Try less milk or a more concentrated brew next time, and add ice just before drinking. Too strong? Add milk in small amounts. Prefer black coffee? Leave out the milk and use cold water to bring the coffee to a strength you enjoy.
For an occasional dessert-style version, add a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or skip the extras and have your coffee beside a slice of toast or something from the fruit bowl. It does not need to become a recipe project.
Keep milk chilled until needed, make your drink fresh and find somewhere comfortable to sit. A good iced coffee is allowed to be the simplest part of your afternoon.