Iced coffee tastes wonderful not only in summer! It evokes associations with sunny Greece, where it is sold literally on every street corner. Cafe frappe is an easy-to-make drink that can be modified in many different ways! Who came up with the idea of chilling hot coffee? Why is it so popular? What should you serve it in to keep it cold for a long time, and to ensure that preparing its different variations is completely safe?
A Greek legend
Greece is full of history. Behind every element of this country's diverse menu, language, or culture lies a story that originated hundreds or thousands of years ago. However, there is an exception to every rule – traditional Greek frappe coffee was not invented during the time of Socrates or numerous wars, but... in 1957, and entirely by accident. Its extraordinary popularity, however, is not due to local tradition, but to a powerful promotional machine.
In the 1950s, Nestlé sent one of its employees to Greece to implement a new product there: chocolate instant coffee for children. The powder was mixed with boiling water and milk in a shaker, creating a children's version of caffè latte. That sales representative decided to prepare this drink for himself during a break. However, he didn't want to wait for the water to heat up – so he poured instant coffee, sugar, and cold water into the shaker... And that's how the first iced coffee was created. His bosses also took a liking to this innovative drink and decided to start selling it on hot Crete. Thanks to appropriate advertising, cafe frappe became widespread and popular with tourists, spreading throughout the country, eventually becoming the national drink of the Greeks. How to make iced coffee in this style at home?
Japanese tradition, French fashion
It seems impossible that iced coffee, or at least "cold" coffee, was only discovered in the 20th century, given that the drink made from roasted coffee beans has been known to mankind for 800 years! It is said that the French drank it with ice and lemon – before it was fashionable in Greece. In the 17th century, Viennese people could also enjoy it, who didn't know what to do with the Turkish supplies left after the Battle of Vienna. Italians also have their traditional Caffe Freddo and Affogato with ice cream. One thing is certain – none of these nations made iced coffee with ice cream or ice cubes a worldwide hit!
It's also worth mentioning cold brew, which is coffee prepared cold, rather than cooled using external factors. It's not entirely certain whether the so-called Kyoto-style coffee was invented by the Japanese and then shared with Dutch merchants, or vice versa. What is certain, however, is that this invention originated in Asia and is gaining more and more followers today.
Preparing cold brew requires stoic patience – which is probably why it's part of the slow life trend. First, coarsely grind the coffee beans: regular or flavored. Then, soak them in cold water in a specially designed container. 10g of coffee per 100ml of water waits in the refrigerator overnight, or ideally, for a minimum of 16 hours. After this time, the cold brew can be filtered through a paper filter. It is strong and refreshing, yet gentle on the stomach.
Glass that keeps things cold
Regardless of the recipe used, cafe frappe requires appropriate serving. Iced coffee glasses should maintain a low temperature for a long time so that the ice cubes do not melt too quickly. Thick-walled vessels will work great here.
Equally important is the clarity of the glass. Iced coffee is distinguished by its characteristic foam and interesting color – it certainly won't taste the same served in an ordinary mug! The glass must also have an appropriate volume to accommodate plenty of ice in addition to the drink.
All these features are possessed by... cocktail glasses! They are tall or rounded, perfectly maintain low temperatures, and have an original presentation. It is worth choosing glassware for long drinks, such as glasses from the Splendour or Mixology collections with large capacities. When serving iced coffee to guests, it is worth ensuring a unique setting and serving them in a stemmed goblet from the Avant-Garde or Glamour series. For preparing iced coffee with ice cream, classic martini or margarita glasses will be useful.
Regardless of the chosen glass, it's a good idea to put the dishes in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. When they cool down to a low temperature, they will keep the drink cold for even longer. And how to make iced coffee in three basic styles and what to pay attention to?
The best iced coffee recipes
To prepare a refreshing and invigorating drink, you will need chilled glasses - ideally while the coffee is cooling. You will also need ground and dark roasted coffee beans - regardless of whether the base will be prepared in an espresso machine or in the traditional way. The drink prepared from them will be ready to combine with chilled ingredients after about an hour.
Condensed milk – preferably from a can – should also be cold. The ice cubes used to prepare frappe do not have to be made from pure water – you can freeze weak Americano coffee in silicone or plastic molds beforehand. All ingredients are best mixed in a blender, or you can use a shaker.
Cafe frappe recipe
To prepare traditional cafe frappe, you will need:
- 1 strong, chilled espresso,
- 100 ml cold water,
- A glass of ice cubes,
- 2 tablespoons condensed milk,
- Optionally 1-2 teaspoons of powdered sugar to taste.
Pour cold coffee, water, condensed milk and optionally powdered sugar into a blender cup or shaker. Mix for about 15-30 seconds until a foam forms. Place ice cubes in a chilled glass. Pour the mixed liquid over them. Serve alone or, for example, with whipped cream on top.
Recipe for iced caffѐ latte
To prepare iced caffè latte, you will need:
- 1 strong, chilled espresso,
- 100 ml cold water,
- 100 ml condensed milk,
- Half a glass of crushed ice.
Crush the ice in a blender and transfer it to a cold, tall glass. Pour the coffee, water, and milk into an empty blender and mix until a thick foam forms. Pour the liquid over the ice and mix thoroughly to fully disperse the particles. Iced latte can be enhanced during mixing with vanilla paste, cinnamon sugar, or chocolate or caramel syrup.
Cafe Affogato recipe
To prepare Affogato, you will need:
- 1 strong, hot espresso,
- 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream,
- A block of dark chocolate.
Place two scoops of ice cream in a cold, round thermal glass. Grate dark chocolate over the top. Slowly pour hot, freshly brewed espresso over it – pouring it directly onto the ice cream, not the sides! Serve immediately, preferably with a latte spoon. Instead of chocolate shavings, you can add chocolate or caramel sauce, combined with grated pistachios or a pinch of sea salt.