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    Home » Recipes » Smoothies, Juices and Drinks

    Published: Jun 8, 2020 · Modified: Sep 26, 2022 by Mariska Ramondino · This post may contain affiliate links

    Make cold brew coffee (+healthy iced coffee recipes)

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    An assortment of different iced latte pictures.
    An assortment of different iced latte pictures.

    Hot summer days are on the horizon, so it's time to make cold brew coffee at home again and enjoy a refreshing morning drink to get your day started.

    It's super easy to make, and although there is a steeping time (more on that later), you can easily make your perfect batch in advance for the week with the coffee beans you love.

    It's such a smooth, naturally sweet drink that I often enjoy black. But nothing is to stop you from turning it into healthy iced lattes or flavored coffee drinks, and I have some recipe variations for you—without refined sugars, syrups, or colorings, dairy-free yet creamy, lightly sweet, and super easy to make.

    And yes, you can make iced coffee also out of hot coffee (sort of like a Japanese-styled iced coffee but easier). I'll show you how I make it at home.

    Enjoy iced coffee for breakfast on hot summer days or take it to work, the gym, or make it whenever you need a pick-me-up drink! 

    Jump to How to make a cold brew concentrate | How to make iced coffee with hot coffee (quick and easy)| A healthy and date-sweetened iced latte (recipe variations)

    A hand pouring milk with a milk can into an iced glass coffee cup.
    Healthy dairy-free iced latte.

    I am very much into cold coffee or healthy iced lattes during the hot summer months. Mostly I enjoy my iced coffee black, and as part of my pre-workout drink—it increases my energy levels, especially on days I like to challenge my body more.

    If you don't mind spending some extra time, I highly encourage you to make a cold brew concentrate.

    It contains a bright and rich flavor, has lower acidity, and you can pour enough to last you a few days or up to one week.

    But you can also quickly turn a regular, albeit a bit stronger, hot brewed coffee into an iced caffeinated drink with (flavored) ice cubes.

    This flash chilled method is excellent when you like all the bitter compounds in your iced coffee that generally comes with your hot cup of Joe.

    I can't say that I'm a Latte, Frappe, Mocha kind of coffee drinker. All that stuff is just too sweet for my taste.

    Sometimes though, I add a few extra ingredients to drink my coffee with a bit more flair and turn this black liquid into a delicious, lightly sweetened, cold homemade latte with caramel-like notes.

    It's all done with natural ingredients and tools that you probably already have in your kitchen.

    Let's take a look.

    Make a cold brew concentrate at home

    A large glass jar with a lid filled with cold coffee concentrate.

    If winters weren't so cold here, I would pick a cold brew coffee over a hot one any time of the day. It's smooth, refreshing, and tastes so pleasantly calm.

    You'll have to prepare this a day or two in advance, but it is so well worth it, and the result is a cold coffee with a lot of nuanced flavors and less bitter notes.

    Cold brew coffee is best made with room-temperature water and has to soak for 12 hours or anywhere from 18 to 24 hours for a more robust coffee.

    But what you get is

    • a less acidic drink,
    • that is easy to make,
    • smoother in taste,
    • can be stored for up to two weeks in the fridge—although I suggest enjoying it within one week,
    • while its strength heavily relies on the coffee beans you use and how long the coffee grounds have steeped in the water.
    A large glass jar with a lid filled with coffee grounds and water.
    Milk being poured into a mason jar with coffee and ice cubes.

    What kind of roast for a cold brew

    Choosing a coffee brand and the type of roast is very personal, and depending on your location, the varieties available might differ.

    I would typically suggest using a roast you love and are already used to drinking.

    But there are a few things I've learned with testing this out:

    • First, I like a light roast for a hot coffee cup but find this too weak for my cold brewing—the taste of coffee was almost absent.
    • I suggest going for a medium to dark roast or blending the two with coffee flavors you think might work well together.
    • If you enjoy the more fruity notes of a lighter blend, you will get the best results by either making it more concentrated —go for a 1:3 coffee to water ratio, brewing it longer, and letting it rest at room temperature versus the fridge.
    • So although any variety of coffee will work, I highly recommend experimenting with what roast works best for you with some of the tips given above.

    Note: if in doubt, use a larger quantity of coffee to brew initially because you can always dilute it AFTER. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do when your cold brew concentrate is too light after steeping for so many hours.

    And then there is the grind.

    The grind

    Whole coffee beans in a large bowl.

    I took the advice of some local coffee aficionados and coarsely ground my beans for the best cold brew.

    The less-dense coffee grounds allow the water to flow more easily than with a fine grind and extract all those aromatic, sweeter flavors from the beans.

    Using a fine grind might also sometimes result in more bitter flavors. That is probably more the case with a medium to dark roast.

    I always buy whole coffee beans and freshly ground them myself when I need a batch. It really produces the best flavor regardless of how you make your coffee, and it also stores better.

    You can use a coffee grinder, but I use my blender or Vitamix instead since I don't own one. Just grind in quick short bursts instead of letting the blade run continuously. This technique produces a nice coarse grind and gets the job done.

    Also, most stores now allow you to grind their coffee with their big grinder machines (another option).

    A small wooden bowl filled with coarsely ground coffee beans.

    Finer and preground coffee beans

    If all that jazz is inconvenient for you, don't worry about the recommended grind size or grinding the coffee beans at home.

    Use your finer preground coffee beans BUT go initially for a shorter 12 hours brew time as it might result in a stronger flavor profile.

    You can always work your way up to 24 hours—or if already too strong, then add more water or milk of your choice.

    Also, don't forget that with a finer grind, you'll need to use a fine filter like a paper coffee filter over a sieve or a French press maker that can strain preground coffee.

    Tip: I prefer buying a brand that locally roasts organic coffee beans. If you haven't found your favorite type of coffee yet or are ready to try something new, check out this top 25 best coffee brands for some inspiration.

    The cold brew coffee ratio

    When you ask regular cold coffee brewers or do some research online, you'll see that not everyone agrees on the coffee bean to water ratio.

    You have some suggesting 1:3, 1:4, or 1:5 coffee to water ratio. Some even suggest carefully weighing the coarsely ground coffee in ounces.

    I keep it simple and use ¾ cup of coffee beans, then coarsely grind them per 4 cups of water, and use my French press to store it (not straining).

    It produces a pleasant and balanced coffee taste, perfect for this healthy iced coffee recipe.

    Note: you don't need a French press; I just use mine to store my cold brew. You can use a Mason jar or a pitcher for storage or whatever is available in your kitchen that comes with a lid or cover.

    Water being poured into a glass jar containing coffee grounds.

    Combine with water, cover, and steep

    • So, once you have coarsely ground your coffee beans,
    • add the recommended water,
    • then stir for a few minutes until thoroughly mixed, and you have wet all the coffee beans,
    • Cover your container and store it at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours.
    A hand holding a long teaspoon to stir into a glass jar holding water and coffee grounds.
    A hand holding a long teaspoon to stir into a glass jar holding water and coffee grounds.

    Recommended steeping time

    Again, personal preference comes into play here and how strong your coffee beans are. You can go up to 24 hours, but anywhere between 12 to 18 hours is enough for me.

    You got to test this out a bit for yourself. Maybe check in after 12 hours. If it tastes a bit too watered down, then go for 15 to 18 hours, and so forth.

    What I use to strain the cold brew

    You don't need any fancy equipment, and there are different ways of doing this, so here are some options:

    • I use a nut milk bag (affiliate link) over a large bowl to strain the coffee and then transfer the liquid into a pitcher.
    • You can also use a fine-mesh strainer or sieve covered with a thin paper coffee filter or fine cheesecloth to filter the coffee.
    • You can also use a reusable filter if you have one.
    • If you own a French press, you can use that to filter out the coffee grounds.

    Note: I like to save the coffee grounds and use them as a body scrub in the shower—a bit messy but so good for the skin. Sometimes I sprinkle it onto my garden soil and rake it a bit. It's an excellent fertilizer for my acid-loving plants.

    A hand squeezing cold brewed coffee out of a nut milk bag.
    The color of strained coffee might vary based on the coffee beans used and steeping time.
    Someone pouring a cold coffee brew into a glass coffee cup filled with ice cubes and next to a milk can and nuts on the side.

    Make iced coffee with hot coffee

    Okay, so this is not entirely the same as a Japanese iced coffee, but close and a more speedy way to get your iced coffee fix.

    Step 1: Start with brewing your cup of coffee—use your home-brewed method for this recipe.

    Step 2: Let the coffee cool down a bit over the counter to release some of its steam—5 minutes is enough.

    Step 3: Next, pour the coffee straight over ice cubes (I like to use a mason jar). This chills it immediately.

    Step 4: Enjoy black or add your favorite flavors (see more below).

    Coffee being poured into a mason jar with cashew milk ice cubes.

    Note: Brew your coffee a tad stronger than usual by either adding more coffee or less water because it will dilute somewhat with ice before serving. Another option is to freeze some leftover coffee in ice cube trays or some of your favorite milk to add some chilled creaminess.

    Healthy flavored iced latte

    Now that we've gone over the finer details on making a cold brew concentrate and creating an iced drink with a hot brewed coffee for the less patient ones let's look at a basic recipe for making a healthy flavored iced coffee.

    This is my favorite way of adding a sweet perk to my cup of coffee the natural way.

    Step 1: Add a creamy ingredient 

    You can use any unsweetened milk, plant milk, or cream you love. I often choose unsweetened vanilla cashew milk because it adds a lovely nutty flavor and is already naturally sweet. Almond or hazelnut milk will do as well.

    Usually, I measure about ¼ cup of milk per cup of coffee because I like it that way. But feel free to make yours lighter or stronger by adding less. Taste test and find your perfect coffee to milk ratio!

    Note: Make cashew milk ice cubes in advance for an instant iced latte. Cashew milk freezes well, and they pop easily out of ice cube trays. Replace them with regular water ice cubes for a less diluted coffee flavor.

    Cashew milk ice cubes stacked on top of each other in a small bowl.
    Cashew milk ice cubes in a mason jar.
    A mason jar with ice cubes and cashew milk infused cold brew coffee.

    Step 2: Add a natural sweet component

    Very soft pitted (Medjool) dates add a heavenly caramel-like taste. 

    • I measure half or one whole Medjool date per ¼ to ½ cup of plant milk—enough to add a tad sweetness without losing the coffee flavor.
    • You must blend the dates with the milk using a high powdered blender until completely pulverized. However, I like to leave some bits of the dates intact.
    • If you like it closer to a caramel iced latte from a coffee house, blend in a second date—still healthier and less sweet.
    • You can make this cashew-date blend in advance and in bulk, then store it in the fridge for whenever you want to sweeten your iced coffee.
    A teaspoon resting in a glass pyrex measurement cup with cashew milk.
    Dates pulverized in cashew milk.
    A teaspoon lifted containing milk and bits of dates over a glass pyrex measurement cup.
    A few bits of dates are left in blended cashew milk (my favorite).

    Note: have your dates hardened in the fridge? That sometimes happens to me as well. Then make them plump and juicy again by submerging them in some hot water for 10 minutes. That will do the trick. It will also help with blending them. 

    Mason jars filled with cold coffee next to a dark loaf of seed bread and dark chocolate pieces.

    Step 3: Add a bit of sea salt

    You can, of course, totally omit this, but I highly recommend it. A pinch of salt takes away any bitterness in your brewed drink and nicely balances the sweet flavors.

    And it goes well with the caramel-tasting dates or any vanilla-flavored cashew milk. It is the same when you add a tad of salt on top of peanut butter cookies. Ever done that? Then you know what I mean.

    Step 4: Add peanut butter to coffee 

    A large glass cup with a handle filled with date sweetened ice latte and a spoon resting on top of the glass filled with dripping peanut butter.
    Iced latte with cashew milk, dates, peanut butter, and a stronger coffee brew.

    Go a bit extra fancy, add a tablespoon of salted peanut butter in the coffee—reminiscent of a peanut butter (vegan) latte or coffee smoothie— and omit the pinch of sea salt here.

    Use that drippy kind of nut butter, smooth or crunchy.

    This concoction is just DELICIOUS, like a tad thicker salted caramel version—but still healthier.

    Use almond butter if you follow a Paleo or whole30 diet or are allergic to peanuts!

    Step 5: alternative flavorings without sugar 

    So many options, but here are a few:

    • use unsweetened vanilla plant milk instead of plain
    • add a touch of cinnamon powder
    • add cocoa or cacao powder for a more chocolatey flavor (or flavored collagen powder, my favorite)
    • other options are sugar-free vanilla extract or adding a few fennel seeds when pulverizing the dates with the milk.
    A hand holding a spoon with cacao powder and trying add it to a tall glass coffee cup filled with a cold brew latte.

    Always love to hear if you tried out this recipe and if it worked for you. Also, don't forget to subscribe to my Monthly Newsletter!

    Love coffee protein smoothies or protein coffee drinks? 

    Then check out Creative Energy-boosting Collagen and Cocoa Smoothies

    A hand stirring a spoon in a tall glass coffee cup filled with a cold iced latte.

    Healthy Iced Coffee

    Mariska Ramondino
    Make a cold brew at home or turn your hot coffee into iced coffee. Enjoy it black, or make a healthy caramel iced coffee lightly sweetened with dates and deliciously balanced with sea salt and cashew milk. You can take it up a notch by adding salted peanut butter. Great to enjoy at home or for an on-the-go refreshing drink!
    4.71 from 17 votes
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Additional Time 12 hrs
    Total Time 12 hrs 15 mins
    Course Smoothies, Juices and Drinks
    Cuisine International
    Servings 1 serving

    Ingredients
     

    Make healthy iced coffee

    • 1 cup hot brewed coffee or one cup cold brew see recipe below
    • 1-2 pitted Medjool dates
    • ¼ cup cashew milk cold
    • pinch of sea salt
    • Cashew flavored ice cubes
    • 1 tablespoon salted creamy or crunchy peanut butter optional

    Make cold brew coffee at home

    • ¾ cup packed whole coffee beans about 2.5 ounces/65 grams or up to 3 ounces/85 grams coarsely ground coffee
    • 4 cups of water note: test it out and adjust the coffee to water ratio based on preference. But this is a good ratio to start with

    Instructions
     

    How to make healthy iced coffee (individual cup, quick and easy)

    • Allow your regular home-brewed cup of coffee to cool a little or release its steam (5 minutes).
    • Place the dates and milk in a (high-speed) blender.
    • Blend until the dates are disintegrated, and all chunks are gone (or leave a few pulverized bits based on preference).
    • Add a handful of (flavored) ice cubes to your favorite coffee glass or mason jar.
    • Pour your slightly cooled cup of coffee over the ice cubes.
    • Then stir in the date-milk mixture with a large spoon.
    • Enjoy immediately.

    Prepare Cold brew coffee to make iced coffee (yields 4 cups)

    • In a one-quart pitcher or jar, combine the coffee grinds with the water.
    • Stir to combine for a few minutes until all the coffee grinds are thoroughly wettened.
    • Place a lid on the jar or pitcher and best to steep at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours.
    • When ready to strain the coffee, place a nut milk bag over a large deep bowl (see other filter options in note).
    • Pour the coffee concentrate into the milk bag.
    • Close the bag, and use your hands to let the coffee steep and drip out entirely into the bowl.
    • Discard the coffee grinds or use them as a body exfoliator or fertilizer for acid-loving plants.
    • Transfer the cold brew into a pitcher with a lid.
    • Refrigerate and store for up to one week.
    • You can use a cup of cold brew coffee also to make the healthy iced coffee recipe above.

    Notes

    Alternative options to strain your cold brew

    Alternatively, if you don't have a milk bag, use a thin coffee filter or fine cheesecloth and place it into a sieve or fine-mesh strainer over a large deep bowl. Pour coffee concentrate through the prepared sieve into the bowl.
    Although not necessary, a cold brew coffee is super easy to make with a cold brew coffee maker.

    How to make flavored ice cubes

    Use any leftover coffee, pour in an ice cube tray, and let it harden in the freezer (best overnight). Alternatively, you can use cashew milk instead of black coffee to add a creamy touch to your cold coffee.

    Make date-sweetened cashew milk in advance

    You can make a batch of date-sweetened cashew milk in advance and in bulk—adjust the level of sweetness according to preference by adding more dates per ¼ cup of milk—taste test. Store in a mason jar that can be closed with a lid and keep in the fridge for up to 7 days.

    How to make an individual and quick healthy iced coffee with foamy milk

    1. Allow your regular home-brewed cup of coffee to cool a little or release its steam (5 minutes).
    2. Place the coffee, dates, cashew milk, and pinch of salt in a (high-speed) blender.
    3. Blend until the dates are disintegrated, and all chunks are gone.
    4. If you use a high-speed blender, like a Vitamix, start on the lowest setting (because the liquid is warm) and gradually work your way up to the highest when safe.
    5. The cashew milk will foam during blending.
    6. Add a handful of (flavored) ice cubes to your favorite coffee glass.
    7. Then pour the blended coffee concoction into the prepared glass.
    8. Enjoy.

    Add your own private notes

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Whenever you come back to this recipe, you’ll be able to see your notes.

    Nutrition (% Daily value)

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 169kcal (8%)Carbohydrates: 22g (7%)Protein: 5g (10%)Fat: 9g (14%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 123mg (5%)Potassium: 402mg (11%)Fiber: 3g (13%)Sugar: 17g (19%)Vitamin A: 36IU (1%)Calcium: 27mg (3%)Iron: 1mg (6%)

    Disclaimer: This nutritional data is calculated using third party tools and is only intended as a reference.

    Tried this recipe? PIN it for laterMention @mychefsapron or tag #mychefsapron!

    (Note: This post was published in May 2019 and has been updated to include new info and photos)

     

    « Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies (gluten-free with variations)
    Gluten-free Baked Cinnamon Doughnuts »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Aly says

      May 15, 2022 at 6:10 pm

      I used almond milk but absolutely love this recipe!! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • Mariska Ramondino says

        May 16, 2022 at 9:45 am

        Hi Aly,

        I am so glad you like the recipe. And yes, almond milk works too;)

        Reply

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