☀️ Summer Is Fast Approaching: What’s the Best Way to Brew Iced Coffee?
Hey there, coffee friends!
You know summer’s just around the corner when the hot drinks start to feel a little too hot. I caught myself last week, holding a steamy mug of dark roast at 2 PM, sweating like I’d just finished a marathon (spoiler: I had not). It hit me, Iced Coffee Season has officially arrived.
But if you’ve ever had a watery iced coffee or one that tasted like it gave up on life halfway through the sip, you know not all iced brews are created equal. So let’s break down how to make iced coffee the right way, delicious, bold, and smooth.
🧊 First Things First: Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee
Let’s clear this up real quick. Cold brew and iced coffee are not the same thing.
Cold brew is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for 12–24 hours. It’s naturally smooth, less acidic, and has that “treat yourself” vibe.
Iced coffee is brewed hot (like your regular cup) and then cooled down. It’s quicker, a little brighter in flavor, and great when you’re impatient (aka me, most mornings).
I actually didn’t appreciate cold brew until a customer, shoutout to Mark from Portland! He sent me a message saying he made our Café Sol Blend as cold brew during a camping trip. “It tasted like chocolate met a campfire in the best way,” he said. I had to try it myself. He was 100% right.
🛠️ My Go-To Iced Coffee Method (Because Easy Can Still Be Excellent)
When I need a quick, refreshing fix, here’s what I do:
Flash Brew (Japanese Iced Coffee)
Brew your coffee hot, but use double the strength.
Pour it directly over ice in a heatproof container.
Stir, chill, sip. Done.
This method keeps all those beautiful aromas and flavors intact, and it cools instantly without tasting watered down. I love using our Sunbeam Blend for this, it has bright citrus notes that just sing when chilled.
💡 Pro Tips for Killer Iced Coffee
Use coffee ice cubes. Freeze leftover brewed coffee in an ice tray so your drink stays strong ‘til the last sip.
Play with milk. Oat milk gives it creaminess, coconut milk adds a tropical twist.
Add a dash of cinnamon or vanilla to your grounds before brewing. Trust me it’s a chef’s kiss.
📖 A Little Ritual I Love
Every Sunday, I make a batch of cold brew and pour it into a big mason jar. It lives in the fridge, right next to the oat milk, like a best friend waiting for me. It’s become a summer tradition, slow mornings, cold coffee, and a good book. (Or a toddler on my hip yelling “coffeeee!” because yes, he knows that’s mommy’s fuel.)
❤️ Let's Make This Fun: Help Me Choose Our Next Iced Coffee Flavor!
Even though we don’t have a comments section here, I love hearing from you. Keep an eye on our Instagram stories,we’ll be posting a poll soon. You get to vote on our next summer blend! Will it be…
Toasted Coconut Cold Brew
Maple Cream Dream
Lemon Zest Light Roast
Your taste buds = the boss.
Thanks for being here, for sharing your coffee moments with us, and for being part of this community. Whether you’re sipping cold brew on a beach or flash-brewing over your kitchen sink, I hope this summer is full of joy, adventure, and of course, really, really good coffee.
