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ICED COFFEE COCKTAILSHints, tips and recipes for a great cool drink to sip in the sun. |
by Darcy O'Neil
Aside from water, coffee is likely the most popular drink in the world. Every year approximately seven million pounds of
coffee are produced and consumed worldwide. The reason for coffee's popularity is its versatility. Of course there is the classic cup of jet black, steaming hot coffee, which is by far the most popular form consumed. But, because its flavour works so well with things like cream and sugar, it is often used in desserts.
Then there is the combination of coffee and spirits, like rum and brandy, which puts awhole new twist on enjoying coffee. But, ifyou want sinfully delicious, then combining all of the above in a cocktail shaker, or blender, with ice may just be the pinnacle of coffee enjoyment.
Once you have acquired a taste for coffee it becomes part of your daily habit. Sure some of that may be from the caffeine, but the flavour of coffee is still a good motivator. The only problem comes when the mercury starts to climb. Hot coffee on a really hot day is only suitable for coffee diehards and specialty coffee's are pretty much out of the question. For the rest of us there is a solution, and that's the iced coffee.
Iced Coffee
Iced coffee isn't a new phenomenon, in fact many coffee shops
offer a variety of chilled coffee beverages that are part dessert,
part beverage. They are usually a combination of sugar, cream and strong coffee. Some shops just serve them chilled and other blend them with ice, almost like a coffee slushy. Even though coffee shops offer iced coffee, very few bars do an adult version of this drink and the closes cocktail you might get is a Espresso Martini. Don't fret because turning this drink into a cool cocktail is simple and easy.
There are two preparation steps to make this drink, but once you are done them you can treat family and friends to these all night long. The first thing you need to do is brew a strong pot of coffee. Doubling the amount of coffee grinds you use is a good start, but tripling it will give this cocktail a better coffee flavour. Also, use good quality coffee. Next you will need some cracked ice. To crack the ice just place it in a plastic bag, and gently hit it with a hammer. The ice will work better in a blender and give you that smooth, slushy consistency.
Iced Coffee Cocktail
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Chill out !Check out our feature on Smoothies, Daiquiris Margaritas etc in our feature on Frozen Drinks » Read our feature on ICE to learn more about using Ice and Fruit together »
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1 oz Coffee Liqueur
2 oz Coffee
1 oz Table Cream (18%)
2 tsp Sugar
1 cup Cracked Ice
Combine all the ingredients in a blender
and blend until ice is crushed and smooth.
If you don't have a blender you can shaker this drink vigorously and pour into a
highball glass.
Like so many drink recipes you may wish to play with the amount of the ingredients until you get the desired sweetness or coffee taste that you are looking for. Use your favorite blend to start and then try it with different flavors to create your own personalized version.
The great thing about iced coffee cocktails is that there is a lot of flexibility with them. You can add rum for a more potent kick, or you can add creme de cacao for a chocolate flavour, or you can add cinnamon schnapps for a spicy flavour. If you want a virgin cocktail, just remove the Coffee Liqueur and add 2 oz of coffee in its place.
In the summer nothing beats an iced coffee cocktail, while sitting on a patio, watching the sun disappear, especially if you are a coffee lover.
Editors note: One of our most popular recipes from last season was this terrific "tribute" to the big coffee chains frozen coffee
FROZEN FRAPPACCINO RECIPE
3/4 cup coffee (the stronger the better- ideally double strength)
2 to 3 tbs sugar (or to taste)
2 cups of ice
1 cup of milk
Make double strength coffee. Chill before use. Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until ice is crushed and smooth. Makes two 16 ounce drinks.
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barFACTUsing "cracked" ice or ice chips will be a little easier on the blender and will allow you to mix all frozen drinks quicker. |
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Notes and ideas:
You can freeze your early morning coffee in an ice cube tray for easy use later on.
To make a "Mocha Frappuccino" - add 3 tb sp. chocolate syrup and top with whipped cream.
To make a "Caramel Frappuciino" - add 3 tb sp. caramel topping and whipped cream.
For a spirited twist on this drink add 1 1/2 ounces of coffee liqueur
Darcy O'Neil is a bartender with a formal education in chemistry. His motive for becoming a bartender was, part by chance, and partially to fulfill his culinary desires. Darcy feels that in life, food and drink are too important to take short cuts, so he quickly became an advocate for making great cocktails. Darcy currently works as a bartender in London, Ontario and spends his time writing about his mixology and bartending experiences on his website, The Art of Drink.
