If you love coffee, I have the perfect indulgence for you – French press iced coffee!
It’s quick and easy to make, with intense flavor that will instantly become your go-to summer beverage.
With its smooth notes of rich coffee balanced out by a refreshing coolness from the ice, this is an unbeatable combination you’ll want to indulge in all year round.
Ready to take on the challenge? Let’s get started:
What is French press iced coffee?
French press iced coffee is coffee brewed with a French press and then poured over ice. The hot water will extract more flavor from the grounds than cold, resulting in a richer, more flavorful cup of coffee.
And because it’s brewed with a French press, there are no filters to trap oils and essences, so all of those delicious flavors are extracted into your drink.
Is a French press actually good for iced coffee?
A French press is great for iced coffee because you can make a stronger coffee which will dilute more easily when you add water or milk later on if you choose to do so.
The process of making French press iced coffee is simple, and you’ll only need five minutes!
French press coffee’s flavor is much stronger than filtered coffee made with the Chemex or Hario V60.
And because of this, many find the flavor of French press iced coffee better because iced coffee is served with ice cubes that’ll dilute the coffee over time.
Which ingredients are needed for this recipe?
The best part about this recipe is that you’ll only need three ingredients to get started:
- Coarsely ground coffee
- Off-the-boil water
- Ice cubes
All you need to make this iced coffee at home are the above-listed ingredients.
However, there are a few ways you can customize this iced coffee to taste. This will make it even more enjoyable for you. Have a look below:
What can you add to this French press iced coffee?
There are so many ways to sweeten your iced coffee, so I’ll cover a few below which are my go-to:
- You can add a sweetener, such as honey if you want a sweeter drink. Homemade coffee syrups are also a great way to add some sweetness.
- You could also add milk, cream, or half-and-half to make it richer. Additionally, you can use the cold foaming technique for a great topping!
- Finally, you could add spices like cinnamon or cocoa powder for a different flavor profile.
In addition to those add-ins, you can make coffee ice cubes from leftover French press coffee. This cools your coffee to the perfect temperature but won’t dilute it.
You can check out the easy recipe for it right here!
What is the best coffee-to-water ratio to use?
For this specific French press iced coffee, I’d brew the coffee with a 1:14 coffee-to-water ratio.
This means that for each cup of water (0.24 l), 18 grams of coarsely ground coffee is used. The grind size looks like this:
You can use more coffee to increase the strength if you prefer, but I usually let it steep for a little longer instead.
If you’d instead like to make a less strong coffee, use between 15 and 16 grams of coffee for each cup of water.
Which coffee beans are best used?
For this recipe, medium or dark-roasted coffee beans are best used. These coffee beans have a robust flavor, making this iced coffee delicious.
A light roast, such as a blonde roast, will not taste that great when brewed with the French press as the flavor is too weak.
I usually have medium-roasted coffee beans at home, as they are the most versatile.
Check out the side-by-side comparison between medium and dark-roasted coffee beans below:
I’d suggest using the coffee beans you have at home and giving this recipe a try. Then, you can always try a different coffee roast if you’re not a fan of the flavor.
You can check out the best coffee beans for French press coffee here if you’re still looking for some great options!
How do you make iced coffee with a French press?
To make iced coffee with a French press, you can check out the easy steps below or scroll down for the complete recipe:
- First, brew hot coffee using your preferred ratio of coffee grounds to water.
- Allow the coffee to cool completely, then pour it into a sealable container and place it in the fridge.
- When you’re ready to enjoy your iced coffee, remove the container from the fridge.
- Pour the cooled coffee over the ice cubes and enjoy!
As you can see, brewing this French press iced coffee is pretty straightforward. These above-listed steps are a great way to make coffee for the next day.
If you’d instead brew the coffee and enjoy it right away, you can pour it directly over ice cubes. Make sure you add enough ice cubes to give it that refreshing touch.
And if you’re a fan of preparing a bigger batch of coffee, I’d suggest using your French press to make cold brew coffee instead.
Easy French Press Iced Coffee
With this quick and easy iced coffee recipe, you'll be enjoying a refreshing coffee in no time!
Ingredients
- 18 grams of coarsely ground coffee
- 1 cup (0.24 l) of off-the-boil water
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- If you haven't done so already, start by boiling your water and grinding the coffee beans of your choice.
- Then, brew the French press coffee.
- Once brewed, pour the hot coffee into a glass and allow it to cool completely.
- Then, fill a glass to about halfway with ice cubes.
- Pour the brewed French press coffee into the glass.
- Serve with a straw, and add your favorite sweetener to it.
Notes
If you want to drink the French press iced coffee as soon as possible, you can pour it over ice right after brewing. Add enough ice cubes to cool it to the right temperature.
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Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1
French press iced coffee FAQs
You can check out some frequently asked questions about this French press iced coffee to help you decide if this is the right recipe for you:
How do you make coffee strong enough for iced coffee?
You can use a higher coffee-to-water ratio to brew a stronger coffee basis. This will offset some of the dilution created by the ice cubes.
Can you make decaf French press iced coffee?
Yes! To make decaf French press iced coffee, use decaf coffee beans and follow the same steps. As decaf coffee doesn’t taste that different, it’s a great alternative!
Do you have to dilute French press iced coffee?
Not at all! The iced coffee made with a French press is made to be a little stronger than usual, as the ice will slowly dilute the coffee. There’s no need to add additional water if you don’t want to.
Conclusion
By following the tips in this article, you can make a French press iced coffee that is uniquely yours and tastes great every time.
You can experiment with different roasts, brew times, and coffee-to-water ratios to find the perfect cup for you.
Don’t be afraid to try something new – who knows, you might just end up with your new favorite way to drink iced coffee!
