Our Ivanhoe cafe, near the heart of Melbourne, is a popular stop for chocolate lovers. And, in summer, one of our best-sellers is our iced coffee. It quenches that smooth coffee craving on those blistering hot city days. Come and visit our cafe, if you can. You can cool down with your favourite drink AND a favourite treat from our counter chocolates!
For those of you who can't make it to our Ivanhoe cafe this summer, know you are missed. But don't miss out, here's our recipe for Iced Coffee so you can make one for yourself, at home. It's easy, takes 5 minutes. You could always just buy yourself one of our infamous couverture chocolates from our chocolate store online.
Simply scroll down for the full recipe. For those of you who want to know a bit more...
What Is Iced Coffee?
Iced coffee is exactly what it sounds like. It's made by brewing coffee and then cooling it, often served over ice. You can brew as a hot coffee and chill it or use a cold brew method where coffee grounds are steeped in cold water for an extended period. Our favourite is a percolated espresso, left to cool.
When Did Iced Coffee Become Popular?
Iced coffee seems to have sprung up from the United States in the late 19th, but the '60s-'70s is when it kicked in, and it's grown in popularity since then, especially with the rise of coffee culture. Global coffee chains embraced it and introduced new variations like iced lattes, cold brews, and flavoured iced coffees.
Iced coffee is a perfect solution for us Australians. Summers are roasting hot, and sometimes, a steaming cup of flat white just doesn't appeal
Is Iced Coffee the Same As Cold Coffee?
Sort of, but not really. It's not stale and left out all day. And it's intentionally cold, not forgotten about.
Is Iced Coffee the Same as Cold Brew Coffee?
No, iced coffee and cold brew coffee are not the same.
Iced coffee is made by brewing hot coffee and then cooling it down, usually by pouring it over ice. The brewing process is the same as regular hot coffee, which means it can have a more acidic and bitter flavour due to heat extraction.
Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold or room-temperature water for an extended period, typically 12 to 24 hours. This slow, cold extraction process results in a smoother, less acidic, and more mellow coffee flavor. Cold brew is generally served cold and can be diluted with water, milk, or sweeteners.
Both drinks are served chilled, but the brewing methods and resulting flavours are quite different.
What is an Iced Coffee in Australia?
Typically, here, our iced coffees are more like what other countries might consider an iced latte. A shot, or two of espresso, with a generous amount of cold milk, poured over ice. The higher ratio of milk gives it a creamier, smoother flavour compared to 'iced coffee'. In Australia, we tend to drink iced coffees a little more like a treat. Like a dessert, especially, as it's often served with whipped cream on top. If you'd like to add chocolate shavings to your iced coffee, we recommend one of our chocolate blocks. Grab your cheese grater, and you've got your very own premium chocolate shavings!
[[ recipeID=recipe-2m3m92qz4, title=Chocilo's In-House Iced Coffee with Chocolate Shavings ]]
