Café menus have moved far past the classic iced latte. Sea-salt foams, pistachio clouds and fizzy espresso tonics now fill feeds and glasses. This guide shows you how to make cold coffee at home in five modern styles, with simple tools, Indian twists and no barista training.
Jump to: The base · Classic recipe · Cold foams · Espresso tonic · Savoury lattes · FAQs
How to make cold coffee: start with the right base
Every great iced coffee begins with a strong, smooth concentrate, such as cold brew. Ice dilutes everything, so brew about twice as strong as you would for a hot cup.
| Base | How to make it | Time | Taste |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold brew | Steep 100 g coarse grounds in 1 litre cold water | 12–16 hours | Smooth, chocolatey, low acid |
| Moka or espresso | Brew a double shot, cool over ice | 5 minutes | Bold, punchy, crema-rich |
| Instant | 2 teaspoons in 30 ml hot water | 1 minute | Quick, consistent |
| Concentrate drops | A few drops in chilled milk or water | 30 seconds | Flavoured, no dilution |
Pointer: Freeze leftover coffee in an ice tray. These cubes chill your drink without watering it down.
How to make cold coffee the classic way
- Add 2 teaspoons of instant coffee powder and 2 teaspoons of sugar to a jar.
- Pour in 30 ml of hot water and whisk until frothy.
- Add 200 ml of cold milk and 4 ice cubes.
- Shake or blend for 20 seconds.
- Pour into a tall glass and dust with cocoa.
For café-style body, add one scoop of vanilla ice cream before blending.
Flavoured cold foams
Cold foam is milk whipped cold until it turns thick and velvety, then spooned on top. It floats, so each sip mixes rich foam with bold coffee.
| Foam | Add to 60 ml cold milk | Pairs with |
|---|---|---|
| Sea salt | A pinch of flaky salt and 1 tsp honey | Cold brew |
| Pistachio | 1 tbsp pistachio paste | Iced latte |
| Cardamom | 2 crushed pods and 1 tsp jaggery syrup | Filter-style iced kaapi |
| Vanilla | 3 Cold Brew Concentrate Drops | Black iced brew |
Use a handheld frother for 30 seconds, or shake hard in a sealed jar.
The espresso tonic
This fizzy coffee drink is bright, bitter-sweet and very refreshing on a hot afternoon.
- Fill a glass with ice and 120 ml chilled tonic water.
- Add a slice of orange or a few mint leaves.
- Slowly pour a double shot of espresso over the top.
- Watch it layer, then stir and sip.
Fruity beans work best here. Try Araku Valley Arabica for grape and stone-fruit notes.
Savoury lattes
The newest trend swaps sugar for salt, spice and umami. They sound odd and taste brilliant.
- Salted caramel miso: a half-teaspoon of white miso whisked into caramel sauce.
- Masala: black pepper, ginger and cinnamon steeped in the milk.
- Kokum and salt: a dash of kokum syrup with a pinch of black salt, a Konkan-inspired twist.
How to make cold coffee all weekend: a checklist
- ☐ Start a cold-brew batch on Friday night
- ☐ Freeze a tray of brew cubes
- ☐ Test two foams side by side
- ☐ Serve an espresso tonic to a friend and swap ratings
FAQs
What is the easiest way to learn how to make cold coffee? Start with instant powder, milk and ice in a sealed jar. Shake for 20 seconds and you are done.
Is cold brew stronger than hot brew? Per cup, often yes, because it is brewed as a concentrate. Dilute it 1:1 with milk or water.
How long does cold brew last? Up to 10 days in a sealed jar in the fridge.
Can I make cold foam without a frother? Yes. Shake cold, low-fat milk hard in a small jar for 45 seconds.
Chill out with Bean & Beyond Co.
No time to brew? Grab a Mocha Velvet Bottled Iced Latte, or explore our Ready-to-Drink & Coffee Treats range for café-style cold drinks in seconds.
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