Are you tired of sipping on iced coffee that starts off strong but quickly turns watery as the ice cubes melt? If so, it's time to indulge in the ultimate coffee lover's secret: Coffee Ice Cubes. These frozen gems are not just the perfect solution to keeping your favorite iced java drinks refreshingly cold, but they're also incredibly easy to make with just one magical ingredient — coffee!
Coffee ice is not plain ol’ ordinary ice. Rather, these delectable cubes of frozen goodness are the secret weapon for keeping your favorite iced coffee drinks cold — without watering them down.
Instead of water-based ice cubes that slowly transform your cold brew coffee drinks into lackluster, diluted versions of their former selves, these frozen blocks of liquid gold are designed to ensure that every sip of your frosty caffeinated favorites remain a flavor-packed journey right through the very last sip.
What makes these flavored ice cubes even more enticing is their adaptability. Feel like adding a touch of sweetness to your brew? Simply add a hint of sugar or your favorite flavored syrup to the cubes before freezing. Dreaming of a creamy iced latte? Mix in your favorite milk or creamer. The possibilities are as endless as your coffee cravings.
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What are Coffee Ice Cubes
These little champs are ice cubes with a caffeine-powered twist. They're frosty like regular ice cubes, but with a PhD in flavor preservation.
You know that first blissful sip of your favorite iced coffee, and it's all delicious and dreamy? Then, as the ice melts, your coffee goes from hero to zero, getting all watery and sad? Well, fear not, because coffee-flavored ice cubes are here to save the day!
So, what are they, exactly? Picture your favorite cup of coffee – bold, aromatic, and oh-so-irresistible. Now, instead of pouring it into your mug, you pour it into an ice cube tray and let it freeze. Yes, folks, it's really that simple! You're basically freezing pure coffee magic into bite-sized cubes.
When you pop these coffee cubes into your glass of iced coffee, they chill your drink to perfection without watering it down. It's like having an ice-cold coffee buddy that says, "Hey, I'll keep you cool, but I promise not to mess with your coffee vibe!"
What do they taste like?
When you take a sip of your your favorite drink with these frosty little buddies in it, you'll be floored. Imagine the rich, robust taste of your favorite coffee, but colder than a penguin's picnic.
As they slowly melt into your drink, they release smooth, coffee-infused goodness, making it cooler than the coolest cat at a jazz concert. And the best part? They don't dilute your beverage one tiny bit, so every drop is a burst of pure coffee bliss.
But here's where the real magic happens. Remember how I told you they're customizable? Well, that means you can make them taste like whatever your coffee-loving heart desires. Craving a twist of flavor? Splash in some vanilla or cinnamon dolce syrup. Heck, you can even go wild and toss in a piece of orange peel for a zesty surprise!
So, in a nutshell, coffee ice tastes like a java lover's dream come true. They're a delicious secret that turns your favorite caffeinated libation into a frosty masterpiece. So, the next time you're in the mood for an iced coffee adventure, don't forget to invite these flavor-packed cubes along for the ride. Trust me; your tastebuds will thank you with a standing ovation! 🎶👏😋
Why You’ll Love This Coffee Ice Cube Recipe
TL;DR? These iced coffee cubes are:
- Quick & Easy - Just pour your favorite brew into an ice mold and freeze until solid!
- Made With Only 1 Ingredient - All you need is
lovecoffee. - Customizable - While you only NEED one ingredient to make coffee cubes, you can add as many as you like. They’re also a great way to transform your leftover coffee drinks into deliciously useable treats in the future!
- Versatile - Pop them into freshly brewed hot coffee to keep from burning your tongue, or add them to a glass of milk for a fun reverse-latte vibe. You can also toss them in your favorite smoothies, or use them in your favorite cocktails!
Ingredients Needed
As it turns out, you only need one ingredient to make these gourmet ice cubes:
- Coffee! Feel free to use cold brew, espresso, conventional hot-brewed coffee, or instant coffee. In total, you’ll need about 2 cups.
Substitutions
- Coffee - While I’m particularly fond of my Frosty Joes, this idea will work with just about everything you like to drink. Feel free to make frozen tea ice cubes, leftover latte ice cubes, chocolate milk ice cubes… Go nuts!
How To Make Coffee Ice Cubes
If you’ve been searching for the perfect ice cubes for your iced coffee, your quest ends today. Here’s how it’s done:
Step 1: Make Coffee. Choose whichever method suits you, but make sure to let the batch cool to room temperature or cooler before freezing.
Step 2: Pour your coffee evenly into an ice cube tray. Place in the freezer for at least 4 hours or until solid and frozen through.
Step 3: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready to use, place a few cubes in a glass and top with milk and your favorite coffee syrup, or add to your favorite coffee drinks!
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
The great thing about flavored ice is that you can flavor it however you like! Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
- Sweet Coffee Ice - Sweeten your coffee however you like before freezing.
- Coffee & Milk Ice Cubes - Unless you drink your coffee black, coffee ice cubes may have the reverse effect of dilution on your favorite iced drinks by making them more intense. Feel free to soften their bold edges with however much milk or creamer you like.
- Mix-Ins - Try adding a twist of citrus zest or whole spices like short cinnamon sticks or cloves to add another element of deliciousness to your drinks.
- Tea Ice Cubes - Freeze your favorite infusions to keep your iced tea nice and frosty. You can also freeze lemonade to add to your tea for a slow-building Arnold Palmer vibe!
- Leftover Drink Cubes - If I’m ever too enthusiastic about pouring myself a midday cuppa, I don’t toss my leftovers. Instead, I give them a second life by freezing them into ice cubes!
Serving Suggestions
Let's get creative and have some fun with your new fun espresso ice cubes! There are so many ways to put them to good use, but here are a few of my favorites:
- Classic Iced Coffee: Start with the basics. Drop a handful of coffee ice cubes into a glass and pour iced coffee over them. Pure, bold, rich caffeinated bliss.
- Creamy “Reverse” Iced Latte: Fill your glass with cold milk or your favorite dairy-free alternative, sweeten with the syrup of your choice, and drop in some of your frozen buddies. As they melt, your milk will transform into a creamy coffee concoction.
- Iced Coffee Float: Feeling adventurous? Scoop some coffee ice cream into your coffee cup, pour hot coffee over it to melt the ice cream affogato-style, and then add coffee ice to keep things chilly. You've got yourself a party in a cup!
- Coffee-Cube Cocktails: Don't limit these frosty treasures to just coffee. Pop them into your favorite coffee-based cocktails like Espresso Martinis, Irish Coffee, or White Russians for a boozy and frosty treat.
- Frozen Coffee Smoothie: Blend your coffee cubes with a banana, a splash of milk, and a dollop of peanut butter or Nutella for a caffeinated smoothie that'll make your tastebuds dance.
Recipe Success Tips
Here are some of my favorite tricks to ensure your java-flavored ice turns out perfectly every time:
- Use Quality Coffee: This should be a no-brainer, but start with a high-quality coffee that you genuinely enjoy!
- Proportions Matter: Consider how strong you want your coffee-flavored ice. If you prefer a milder coffee flavor, you can dilute it with some water, add a splash of milk or creamer, or sweeten it to your liking.
- Use Your Creativity: Add sweeteners like sugar, syrups, or even spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to your coffee before freezing for extra flavor.
- Label: If you make different flavored cubes or use different coffee varieties, label your trays and storage containers so you know what you're grabbing when you reach for them.
- Proper Storage: Once frozen, transfer the coffee cubes to an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag to prevent them from absorbing freezer odors.
- Quantity: Make plenty of coffee ice cubes at once. You don't want to run out mid-summer when the craving strikes!
FAQs
These frozen coffee cubes are perfect for any drinks that need chilling AND would benefit from a touch of coffee goodness. Get tons of ideas in my Serving Suggestions section above! Insofar as they’re frozen and will keep your libations frosty without diluting them, they work beautifully.
You sure can! Just make sure to let it cool down to room temp or colder before pouring into trays and freezing.
Considering the process is only as difficult as brewing coffee and then freezing it, I’d have to say YES! They take just a few minutes of your time and make such a big difference in how you experience your favorite drinks!
After freezing, be sure to remove the coffee ice from the tray and pop it into a freezer-safe airtight container. They’ll last for 3 months in peak condition, but may start to taste a bit stale beyond that.
Well, this is a bit of a chicken or the egg situation. First, you’re going to need to start with some form of coffee to make coffee ice. Then, use the ice however you normally would in all your favorite iced coffee drinks.
Coffee Ice Cubes Nutrition
Since these coffee ice cubes are just coffee frozen into cubes, they don't really add extra calories, fat, or sugar to your drink since it's just coffee. So, they won't weigh you down, which is awesome. They're like your coffee's cool, low-calorie sidekick! 😄☕❄️
But remember, coffee itself does have caffeine, which can give you a little pep in your step. So, enjoy them in moderation (or swap in decaf), especially if you're sensitive to caffeine. And if you add sugar or cream to your coffee, remember that those extras will impact the overall nutrition.
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 10 calories
- Total Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Sodium: 7 mg
- Carbohydrates: 2 grams
- Sugar: 0 grams
*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
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Coffee Ice Cubes
Equipment
Ingredients
Cold Brew
- 2 cups cold brew coffee
Instant Coffee Granules
- 2 tablespoon instant coffee granules
- 2 cups hot water
Brewed Coffee
- 2 cups brewed coffee cooled
Instructions
- If using instant coffee granules, stir together the 2 tablespoon instant coffee with 2 cups hot water until dissolved, then allow to cool to room temperature before freezing.
- Pour your coffee evenly into an ice cube tray. Place in the freezer for at least 4 hours or until solid and frozen through.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready to use, place a few cubes in a glass and top with milk and your favorite coffee syrup!
Nutrition
xoxo Megan
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