So you are a iced coffee fan and you are still not sure how to make iced coffee in a french press – well, that’s okay. This guide will assist you.
Now that the summers are here, just like you and me, many people prefer iced coffee instead of the regular, hot cup of coffee that they drink to start their day on an energetic note.
As the name indicates, iced coffee is served chilled. The central division for brewing is the cold brew. Cold brewing is also called cold pressing or cold-water extraction. It is a process where coffee grounds are steeped in water at cool temperatures for an extended period of time – from 12 to 24 hours.
Preparing the coffee cold, yielding a different essence, and not requiring cooling – or preparing normal (hot) coffee and then cooling, by simply pouring some ice or into the cold milk.
The History of Iced Coffee
The trend of cold coffee dates back to 1840 and was originated in Algeria. It was described as the “original iced coffee”. Back then, it was prepared with cold water and coffee syrup.
In the late 19th century, coffee brewed then chilled with ice was referred to as “iced coffee”. This iced coffee appeared in menus in restaurants and the recipes.
Iced coffee gained popularity in the United States in 1920 by a marketing campaign of the Joint Coffee Trade Publicity Committee. Long after this campaign, it was advertised and promoted by franchises like Burger King, Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks.
In the United States, iced coffee is rapidly gaining popularity among the general population. The evidence of this statement is the fact that it is easily and widely available not just in the popular food franchises, but also available in the grocery and convenience stores.
Various Types of Iced Coffee Beverages
A lot of coffee retailers only use hot-brewed coffee in the iced coffee drinks. The general approach of Starbucks is to use a double-strength method. It is a method in which coffee is brewed hot with twice amount of coffee grounds in it.
Using this process, the melted ice does not lessen the concentration and flavor of coffee. However, unlike the cold brew process, this process does not eradicate the acidity that is present in the hot brewed coffee.
The Sweetened Flavors
Other cold coffee drinks such as Frappuccinos are typically prepared in advance, sweetened in advance and can be safely stored at room temperature.
A lot of people like to put milk in their iced coffee. Lately, almond milk or oat milk are being used as milk alternatives. They have recently gained immense popularity in the United States.
French Press Cold Brew
Cold brew French press recipe makes the best iced coffee. You can make it your new summer morning ritual. A French press is a coffee brewing device also known as cafetière, cafetière à piston, caffettiera a stantuffo, press pot, coffee press, or coffee plunger.
The Old French Press
It was invented by two French people named Mayer and Delforge.
Since its invention, it has undergone numerous changes in the design. The first coffee press was made up of a metal or cheesecloth screen fitted to a road that users would press in a pot of hot water and coffee grounds. This was made in France and was in the elementary form.
The Modern French Press
The modern French press consists of a narrow cylindrical beaker which is either made of glass or clear plastic. It is equipped with a metal or plastic lid and has a plunger which fits tightly in the cylinder. It has a wire made of fine stainless steel and nylon mesh filter.
Making an iced coffee in a French press is a great way to have iced coffee if you do not want to spend unnecessary bucks on everyday multiple coffee intake.
Making cold brew using a French press means using cold water. However, this simultaneously means more time as more time is required by coffee grounds to be steeped. The best scenario is to let it rest overnight. As this extra time and cold brew process indicates better flavor, aroma and less bitter taste.
This technique is used by many coffee houses. They make extra strong, smooth and cold steeped brew. Albeit iced, this coffee is as good as hot coffee in its own beautiful way.
Let’s have a look at the Cold brew recipe:
Recipe & Equipment
To get the best taste from your iced coffee cup, you will need the following items and composition:
- 1/3 cup whole coffee beans
- 1 ½ cups cold, preferably filtered water
- Ice
- Milk
- Sweeteners (such as flavored syrups, caramel chocolate or melted chocolate)
And to brew your perfect iced coffee, you will need the following equipment:
- Coffee grinder
- French press
How to Make Cold Brew with French Press
Let us now have a look how it’s done:
1) Grind the Coffee Beans
Grind the 1/3 cup of whole coffee beans until they are grainy enough to be strained by French press. Make sure these beans are fine enough to be infused well.
2) Ground Coffee and Water
Now pour the ground coffee into the French press. Add 1 ½ cups of water in it.
3) Stir to Mix
Stir the coffee gently with water for a while.
4) Put on the Lid
After this, you need to make sure that the plunger is in the upright position and the lid is closed.
5) Let the Coffee Steep Overnight in the Refrigerator
The plunger must be left in the up position in order for the grounds to be infused in the water overnight.
You can have it after 8-10 hours, too. However, the longer it sits, the richer and stronger your coffee concentrate will be.
6) Plunge the Coffee
The next morning, plunge the French press in order to separate the coffee from the grounds.
When you do this, a few coffee grains might pour out that you can filter using a mesh strainer provided that you are not a fan of these grains. Some people like it this way, though.
7) Make your Iced Coffee
Now fill a glass with ice cubes and fill it half with milk. The rest of the glass should be filled with iced coffee. Stir to combine both and enjoy your refreshing coffee to beat the heat!
Recipe Notes for Large Batch Iced Coffee
If you own a large sized French press, then you can make a larger batch of iced coffee. You need to use the same ratio of ground coffee to water.
Simply plunge and shift any unused coffee to a different container. Keep in mind that you can keep iced coffee refrigerated for about a week.
Iced Coffee Variations
If you are a fan of sweet, then you might want to mix in a spoon of chocolate fudge or cajeta caramel. You can also add sea salt or cinnamon to give a nice addition of delight.
In addition to this, you can also improvise a little by adding lavender syrup, cardamom vanilla syrup or the pumpkin-spice cashew creamer. These syrups can be bought online, at your nearby store or you can even make them at home.
Benefits of iced coffee
It might seem like coffee is coffee be it hot or cold but when you cold brew, the coffee has less acid in it. So, the people who particularly suffer from the problem of acidity and have to avoid acidity for this very reason, can now rejoice and enjoy a cup of iced coffee.
In addition this, you can easily carry it anywhere without burning your hands.
Our Final Thoughts on Making Iced Coffee Using French Press
In this scorching heat, iced coffee is a particularly better option to have than the usual hot cup of coffee. It is long lasting – it lasts about 3 to 4 weeks in the refrigerator. This will save you the effort and trouble to make coffee every morning you wake up.
And if you know how to make Iced Coffee in a French Press, it just can’t get any better than that! You don’t want to be spending your hard-earned dollars or valuable time in those coffee shops and cafes anymore, do you?
Mastering the art of a perfect cup of iced coffee in this blistering heat can certainly give you the necessary ‘kick’ and refreshing feeling that you need to start off a hot summer day!