Differentiating different types of iced coffees

Coffee beans are so versatile once brewed, you can choose to blend them with favourites like mint, liquor, or caramel.

Most people assume coffee can only be served hot.

However, the beauty of it is that you can have it served hot or chilled without the drink losing its awesomeness.

Iced coffees are perfect for both warm sunny weather and chilled ones as well.

Below are the six types of iced coffee drinks, what goes into them, and how they look like.

1) Iced coffee 

This is the simplest type of coffee. 

It’s basically coffee with ice cubes usually served with a dash of milk, creamer, or sweetener. 

Most people prefer to have it with syrup (as the sweetener)  rather than sugar.

It comes in a variety of flavours ranging from caramel iced coffee to coconut, almond, and so many others.

It may be prepared either by brewing coffee normally then pouring it over cold milk topped with ice cubes, or brewing it cold.

In hot brewing, sweeteners and other flavourings are usually added before cooling as they dissolve faster.

2) Frappuccino 

A blended iced coffee drink that’s topped with whipped cream and syrup.

But not all Frappes are made the same, there are actually coffee-free versions but we’ll all about the caffeine here. Unless you’re into that sorta thing. 

Frappuccino consists of a creme base or coffee blended with ice and flavouring of choice. Then topped with whipped cream and spices.

3) Iced Espresso 

As an iced coffee, iced espresso can be served straight or with a dash of milk, cream or sweetener.

You can also ice speciality espresso-based drinks like americano, mochas, macchiato, lattes, and flat whites.

4) Mazagran

Maza, what now? Yeah, you read that right and you're welcome. I know I just taught you something new.

 Mazagran is a sweetened cold coffee that is a cross between iced coffee, tea, and your favourite rum drink.

It typically consists of espresso, lemon, sugar, and mint.

It's originally from Algeria, it is essentially coffee lemonade.

It is prepared with strong hot coffee that is poured over ice and is served in a narrow, tall glass.

5) Cold brew 

The trendiest of the iced coffee bunch, cold brew coffees are made by steeping coffee beans from anywhere between 6-36 hours, though most people and cafes settle for 12 hours. It all depends on how strong you would like your cold brew.

Once the beans are done steeping, add cold milk or cream.

Note: To make it less strong, adjust the number of coffee beans you use.

Also for this drink you'll need coarsely ground coffee beans, they should look like coarse cornmeal, not fine powder 

6) Nitro  

So picture this, a cold brew plus nitrogen bubbles through a pressurized valve what you get a cold brew coffee with a frothy, beer-like consistency.

The froth is because it’s poured via a nitro tap.

The coffee is brewed with cold or room temperature water for 12-24 hours. Then it is infused with nitrogen gas with a pressurized valve giving it its signature velvet texture.

It comes in cans as well, yes you can get this beauty from the supermarket shelves. 

But keep in mind due to its popularity and unique preparation it's  quite pricey

I hope I have helped clear your mind when it comes to iced coffee beverages.

So next time you're in a cafe or in line placing an order I hope you won't freeze up or order the wrong drink.

Also, feel free to try out drinks from this list that you haven't before and let me know what you think about them and your favourite iced drink.

Edited by D Tarus