Iced coffee, ready to drink or brew at home | Café du Jour

There are several varieties: from sweet iced lattes to pure cold brew. Each style has its own flavour profile and preparation. For example, an iced cappuccino is creamy and airy, while cold brew is typically strong and smooth.

What is the difference between iced coffee and cold brew?

Regular iced coffee is brewed hot and then cooled or poured over ice. Cold brew is made cold: whole beans or ground coffee steep slowly in cold water, usually for 12 to 24 hours. This produces a milder, less acidic flavour with a fuller body. Cold brew often contains more caffeine than standard iced coffee.

Ready-to-drink iced coffee or make your own?

When buying iced coffee you have two options: ready-to-drink iced coffee in cans, bottles or cartons, or making it yourself with fresh ingredients. Both options have benefits, depending on how much time and effort you want to put into your drink.

Benefits of ready-to-drink iced coffee

• Ready to drink straight away, no preparation needed
• Consistent taste and quality per package
• Convenient for on the go or at the office
• Wide range of flavours such as cappuccino, mocha and latte
• Available in cans, bottles and cartons

Benefits of making your own iced coffee

• Full control over ingredients and flavour
• Choose your own beans or pre-ground coffee
• Customisable for dietary needs, like sugar-free iced coffee
• Can be combined with milk alternatives such as Oatly oat milk
• Often more economical per serve if you drink it regularly

Popular iced coffee brands and flavours

Many brands make buying iced coffee easy. Each brand offers its own flavours and packaging formats. Below is an overview of well-known brands and what they offer.

Douwe Egberts iced coffee

Douwe Egberts iced coffee is a trusted choice for many. The brand offers ready-to-drink variants in several flavours, including cappuccino and latte. The packaging is compact and easy to take with you.

NESCAFÉ iced coffee

NESCAFÉ iced coffee is available in handy cans and bottles. The range includes both sweeter and less sweet options. NESCAFÉ focuses on convenience and consistent taste.

Starbucks and Illy iced coffee

Starbucks iced coffee is known from the coffee chain and also comes as ready-to-drink cans or bottles. Illy iced coffee is known for a more intense coffee flavour and an Italian coffee style. Both brands aim at coffee lovers who want a premium taste at home.

Iced coffee flavours

• Iced latte: espresso with cold milk over ice
• Iced cappuccino: espresso with milk foam and ice
• Mocha: coffee with chocolate flavour
• Pure cold brew: unsweetened, strong coffee without milk
• Iced coffee with oat milk or other dairy alternatives

How to make iced coffee at home

Making iced coffee at home is easier than it seems. With a few basic ingredients and the right method you can brew a refreshing coffee. Below are two popular ways to make iced coffee.

Method 1: Espresso over ice

1. Pull a double espresso with your coffee machine or moka pot
2. Fill a glass with ice cubes
3. Pour the hot espresso directly over the ice
4. Add milk, oat milk or another dairy alternative to taste
5. Optional: add a dash of vanilla syrup for extra sweetness

Method 2: Cold brew

1. Put coarsely ground coffee in a jug or cold brew maker
2. Add cold water at a ratio of 1:8 (coffee:water)
3. Let the mixture steep for 12 to 24 hours in the fridge
4. Strain the coffee through a fine sieve or coffee filter
5. Serve over ice, black or with milk of your choice

Cold brew keeps for up to two weeks in the fridge. Store it in a sealed bottle or jug. That way you always have iced coffee at hand without brewing each time.

Accessories and equipment

To make iced coffee at home you need a few accessories. The right tools make the process easier and improve the result. Below are the most used aids for brewing iced coffee.

Handy iced coffee accessories

• Cold brew maker or cold-brew jug for steeping cold brew coffee
• Hario V60 Fretta: a drip filter designed especially for iced coffee
• Ice cube trays or an ice maker to always have ice ready
• Milk frother for a creamy iced latte or iced cappuccino
• Measuring jug and scales for the correct coffee-to-water ratio
• Reusable straws and tall glasses for a pleasant presentation

A good iced coffee maker like the Hario V60 Fretta ensures quick and flavourful brewing. The device cools the coffee as it filters, so you have iced coffee within minutes without losing flavour.