Coffee is one of the most beloved beverages worldwide, but when the heat arrives, it becomes difficult to enjoy a hot cup of coffee. That's where iced coffee comes in! Iced coffee is a refreshing drink that combines the strong taste of coffee with cold milk and ice cubes to give a refreshing and delicious experience. This drink is perfect for summer and can be easily prepared at home. In this article, we will learn how to prepare iced coffee in the easiest ways and with the fewest available ingredients.

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup cold milk
2. 1 tablespoon hot water
3. Sugar to taste
4. Ice cubes
5. 1 tablespoon instant coffee (nescafe) or coffee

Preparation:

1. Preparing the instant coffee (nescafe) : Start by heating the water until it's hot, then add a tablespoon of instant coffee to the hot water. Stir the mixture well using a whisk until it's completely dissolved and you have a homogeneous mixture.

2. Preparing the glass: Fill the glass with ice cubes until it's half full or as desired. You can use regular ice cubes or crushed ice for a different experience.

3. Pouring the cold milk: After preparing the instant coffee, add it to the glass filled with ice. Then pour the cold milk over the instant coffee and ice. It's best if the milk is very cold to ensure the best flavor and refreshment.
4. Sweetening the iced coffee: Add sugar to taste. You can use regular white sugar or your preferred sugar substitutes such as cane sugar, honey, or artificial sweeteners. Stir the mixture well until the sugar is completely dissolved and well combined with the other ingredients. 

Additional information: 

1. Flavor enhancements: You can add various flavors to enhance the taste, such as vanilla, caramel, or even cinnamon. You can also add chocolate syrup for a different and delicious taste.
2. Milk choice: You can use different types of milk based on your personal preferences or dietary restrictions. Whole milk will give a rich and creamy flavor, while skim milk will be lighter and healthier. You can also use almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk as substitutes for regular milk.
3. Serving iced coffee: Iced coffee can be served in clear glasses to show off the beautiful layers of the drink. It can be garnished with a dollop of whipped cream on top and a sprinkle of cinnamon or grated chocolate for an aesthetic touch and additional flavor.   

Tips and Warnings:

• Adjusting sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet drink, you can reduce the amount of sugar or use natural sweeteners like honey. If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can increase the amount of sugar as desired.
• Adjusting caffeine: If you want to reduce the amount of caffeine, you can use decaffeinated instant coffee as a substitute.
• Iced coffee is not only a refreshing drink but also a great way to enjoy coffee in a different way. You can customize it based on your personal preferences and make it a daily drink that you enjoy at any time. Try this simple recipe and enjoy your refreshing drink!

Caution: 

• This recipe is suitable for coffee lovers who want a refreshing drink in the summer, but it is not suitable for those who are allergic to caffeine or who follow a sugar-free or dairy-free diet. 
• If you have allergies to any of the ingredients, be sure to ask the barista about the ingredients used to prepare the iced coffee.

Nutritional Information:

1. 1 cup (240ml) whole milk:
   • Calories: 150 kcal
   • Protein: 8g
   • Fat: 8g
   • Carbohydrates: 12g
   • Calcium: 300mg
2. 1 tablespoon (15ml) hot water:
   • Calories: 0
   • Protein: 0
   • Fat: 0
   • Carbohydrates: 0
3. 1 tablespoon (6g) instant coffee:
   • Calories: 2 kcal
   • Protein: 0.1g
   • Fat: 0g
   • Carbohydrates: 0.4g
   • Caffeine: Approximately 64mg
4. 1 tablespoon (12.5g) sugar:
   • Calories: 48 kcal
   • Protein: 0g
   • Fat: 0g
   • Carbohydrates: 12.5g

These values are estimates and may vary slightly depending on the type of milk or amount of sugar used. 

Additions and Flavor Variations for Iced Coffee:

• Classic flavors: In addition to traditional flavors like chocolate and vanilla, you can try flavors such as salted caramel, Nutella, or cinnamon.
• Fruit flavors: Add a refreshing touch by combining iced coffee with fruit flavors like strawberry, blueberry, or mango.
• Unique flavors: Experiment with unique flavors like almond, green tea, or even saffron.  

Ideal milk to coffee ratios:

• Standard ratio: The standard ratio is usually 1:2 (1 part coffee: 2 parts milk).
• Adjusting the ratio: You can adjust the ratio as desired to get a stronger or lighter taste.
• Effect of milk type: Whole milk gives a creamy texture, while low-fat milk gives a lighter taste.  

Elegant Cup Decorations:

Whipped cream: Adds a luxurious touch and increases richness.

Shaved chocolate: Offers a bittersweet taste.

Chia seeds: Add nutritional value and a unique texture.

Fresh fruits: Garnish the cup and add a natural flavor.

Benefits of Iced Coffee:

Mood enhancement: Contains caffeine, which stimulates the brain and improves mood.

Increased focus: Helps increase alertness and concentration.

Calorie burning: May help speed up metabolism and burn fat.

Antioxidants: Contains antioxidants that protect cells from damage.

Milk Alternatives for Iced Coffee:

Almond milk: A great option for vegans and those with lactose intolerance. 

Soy milk: Rich in protein and suitable for vegans.

Coconut milk: Adds a distinctive tropical flavor.

Rice milk: Light and lactose-free.

Tips for Storing Iced Coffee:

Refrigerate: To maintain coldness and flavor.

Use airtight containers: To prevent the absorption of other smells and flavors.

Avoid freezing: Freezing affects the coffee's flavor.

Reheating: If you want to reheat iced coffee, do so carefully to avoid losing flavor.  

Most Popular Coffee Shops for Iced Coffee in the United States:

• Starbucks:

  • Starbucks is one of the most famous coffee chains in the world, offering a variety of iced coffee drinks, such as iced lattes, iced mochas, and iced caramel macchiatos. Starbucks is known for its customized options for customers, where many flavors and syrups can be added to taste.

• Dunkin' Donuts:

  • Dunkin' is a popular American coffee and baked goods chain that offers a range of iced coffee beverages, including classic iced coffee, iced lattes, and flavored iced coffees.
  • Traduction: Dunkin' est une chaîne américaine populaire de café et de pâtisseries qui propose une gamme de boissons au café glacé, notamment du café glacé classique, des lattes glacés et des cafés glacés aromatisés.

• Philz Coffee:

  • Philz Coffee is a San Francisco-based specialty coffee roaster known for its custom-made coffee drinks. They offer a variety of iced coffee options, including their signature iced coffee with a variety of milk and flavor choices.
  • Traduction: Philz Coffee est un torréfacteur de café spécialisé basé à San Francisco, connu pour ses boissons au café sur mesure. Ils proposent une variété d'options de café glacé, y compris leur café glacé signature avec une variété de choix de lait et de saveurs.

• Blue Bottle Coffee:

  • Blue Bottle Coffee is a specialty coffee company that focuses on high-quality, freshly roasted coffee. They offer a range of iced coffee drinks, including cold brew and nitro cold brew.
  • Traduction: Blue Bottle Coffee est une entreprise spécialisée dans le café qui se concentre sur le café fraîchement torréfié de haute qualité. Ils proposent une gamme de boissons au café glacé, notamment du café froid et du café froid nitro.