Special Iced Coffee
In summer, a proper iced coffee is a beautiful thing. It can also be an expensive thing. Very often, it’s a necessary thing.
I wrote about cold-brewed coffee eons ago – the kind you make in a jar – which is smooth and not at all bitter, and intended to be used as an iced coffee concentrate. And then I came across a similar version on Food 52 that was sweetened as it brewed with dark brown sugar, and spiked with cinnamon. They call it magical coffee, contributed by someone who had it at her local coffee shop.
I embraced the opportunity to use my instant-filter method, in which I mix up the water, coffee, sugar and cinnamon in a jar with a chopstick (or whatever), then cover it with a double layer piece of cheesecloth and screw on the ring. That way, it lives in the fridge and can be poured directly into a glass filled with ice, rather than rummaging around for a filter.
The original recipe calls for a teaspoon of cinnamon, which I find too much – I add just a shake, which although I’d never think to add to my coffee at the coffee shop, adds a touch of warmth that goes well with the dark brown sugar and coffee and coldness. Give it a try – or leave it out.
Add milk or cream to taste, and yes – it will make you, and anyone you’re with, very, very happy.
Special Iced Coffee
AuthorJulie
ice
milk or cream, to taste
Mix the water, coffee, brown sugar and cinnamon together in a jar, cover and refrigerate overnight.
Pour through a filter or cheesecloth-lined sieve (or put a double thick square of cheesecloth over the jar and secure it with the ring) and use to make iced coffee: pour over ice, and add a big splash of milk or cream, to taste.
Ingredients
Directions
ice
milk or cream, to taste
Mix the water, coffee, brown sugar and cinnamon together in a jar, cover and refrigerate overnight.
Pour through a filter or cheesecloth-lined sieve (or put a double thick square of cheesecloth over the jar and secure it with the ring) and use to make iced coffee: pour over ice, and add a big splash of milk or cream, to taste.
Sounds so simple and delicious! Can’t wait to try it!
Genius. Another great use for a mason jar. I love the ‘no filter’ thing (hah, it’s where I live).
I’m thinking about leaving out the br. sugar, brewing cold coffee in a jar per your ratio, and pouring it over a glass of scooped vanilla ice cream.
While I’m a huge coffee fan I’ve never thought to venture into doing cold brews at home. I totally should though since they charge an arm and a leg at coffee shops to buy it! This looks so easy and so tasty!
Ah! This looks fantastic! And cold-brewed coffee? Clever 😀 I like the sound of its smoothness 🙂 Thanks for the recipe Julie! x
A couple or tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk instead of cream and sugar is also very good. (don’t hate me :))
I love this! I made cold brew coffee last time we had some really hot days and I didn’t want hot coffee in the morning and was so pleased with the result.
I really like cardamom in my coffee so I’m going to try that.
This is a great summer recipe, Julie! I made it this week and we added a touch of maple syrup–delicious, refreshing, and easy! Thanks for another winning recipe!
Sweetened condensed milk! Maple syrup! You guys are geniuses!!
You are a genius!! I just spent far too long straining my cold brewed coffee from one jar into a second jar. This is fabulous!!
This is great ! Although I did cut down on the sugar as I tend to like things without sweeteners. Need to get some cheesecloth cause it takes too long using a coffee filter to strain it.
Reading your article about iced coffee brought back memories of my Dad who consumed vast quantities of iced coffee during the summer time. We live in the Southern U.S., so while we are big on iced tea, iced coffee is a more exotic drink to us. Made your recipe with just a dash of cinnamon as recommended. It was perfect and so are the memories of my Dad. A big thank you!
I made this today and oh my goodness, it was so delicious! I have to limit myself to one glass/day! Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
I made this last night and had my first cup this morning – DELISH.
Next time, I’ll cut the sugar to 1 tbsp – and I love the idea of cardamom!
Thanks for sharing.
Made this a few times since I saw the recipe. Love it SO much. Have to limit myself! Going to try the cardamom and condensed milk in it next. Thank you thank you!!
Julie!!!!!! This is fantastic!!!!! As a person who loves iced coffee year round, this made my year. I had tried making other recipes before, but this one is far superior to them all! It’s also better than any of the coffee shops in town. Thank you!!
Thanks for sharing this post. I really want to make this iced coffee. It is really awesome. I already made so many varios coffee. Now I want to try this.
It’s great that you are getting ideas from this post
as well as from our discussion made at this time.
Could you cold brew the coffee in a bodum? Then you just press it when you are ready to drink it?
Yes! that would be brilliant!
I had heard somewhere that a teaspoon of honey and cinnamon every day really helps arthritis but I can’t handle just eating it. I also know that during studies testing foods that affect blood sugar rise, it was discovered that cinnamon blocks that happening (get sugar rush if I eat sugar, even honey in morning – over production of insulin) Anyway (sorry about medical stuff) so I have been drinking my coffee in the morning with honey and cinnamon ever since and I love it. This is only anecdotal but interestingly enough, my arthritis has really settled down. And another note, buy organic cinnamon, as some cinnamon isn’t even the real thing. Your coffee looks delish – will definitely try it!