Summer is the best time to drink refreshing fruit shakes and smoothies, but what if you need an instant caffeine boost? Drinking a hot beverage during the hot and humid season can leave you feeling dehydrated, but there are other options if you need a surge of energy.
You may think that the popular iced coffee is the same as the up-and-coming iced latte, but no – they are not. Prepared with differing ratios and to suit different tastes, let’s have a closer look at both.
Preparing an iced latte
Making an iced latte is similar to making a traditional latte but instead of using steamed milk, you’ll use cold milk to prevent the ice from melting. Also, you’ll need an espresso shot to provide the delicious hit of flavor. You can make this yourself with the help of a cheap espresso machine you can get under $100.
Coffee shops tend to have their own perfected recipes when preparing iced latte, but they typically involve a cocktail shaker. First, fill the shaker with ice cubes then pour on the espresso shot and the cold milk. You can add some sugar or sweetener to taste. Shake the mixture until a creamy foam appears on top of the drink. Once you’re done, simply pour the contents into a clean tall glass and enjoy.
Preparing iced coffee
There isn’t a single recipe for making iced coffee. In fact, it can be as simple as brewing regular coffee, let it cool, add some ice cubes and you’re done. But of course, you’ll want to maximize flavor and this isn’t achieved by letting your morning coffee go cold in your cup.
One of the most common ways to prepare iced coffee is to brew regular coffee, let it cool to room temperature, and add milk or cream before adding ice cubes. Keep in mind that the coffee has to be strong, or you’ll end up with a diluted coffee drink once the ice cubes start to melt. Depending on your preferences, you can adjust the amount of milk or cream and even add sugar for additional sweetness.
Adding a dash of whipped cream, maybe some finely grated chocolate, or a sprinkle of chopped hazelnuts and pick your favorite. For us, it would have to be the iced latte, but each to their own.
If you’re aspiring to become a true coffee connoisseur, you need to know the difference between cold brew vs iced coffee. Once you get the hang of different variations of cold coffee, start looking into getting a quality drip coffee maker because this is the most popular (and tastiest!) way for getting a great cup of iced coffee.
For more tips on making the perfect iced coffee, check out this video:
