Iced breve coffee has been gaining a lot of attention recently – and for a good reason.
If you have yet to taste this creamy delight, get ready- because it’s unlike any other cold beverage out there!
This delicious blend is made with espresso, half-and-half, and your favorite sweetener for the perfect balance of velvety richness and sweetness.
In addition to the mouthwatering flavor of an iced breve coffee, its convenience makes it even more appealing—you can make one right at home in just minutes!
So whether you need something new to sip on after work or are searching for that next irresistible treat – read on as I’ll guide you through everything you’ll need to know about making iced breve at home.
What is an iced breve?
An iced breve is a type of espresso-based coffee beverage served chilled over ice. It’s a variation of the traditional latte, made with half-and-half instead of regular milk and containing more espresso.
The result is an intensely creamy and rich cup of coffee that packs in more flavor than your average latte due to its higher fat content, and this version is iced for that ultimate summertime treat!
The best part about iced breves, though? They’re incredibly easy to make at home if you can access an espresso machine (or even a stovetop Moka pot, along with other options, will work).
All you need are some good quality beans freshly ground for optimal flavor and aroma retention.
You’ll need two shots worth of brewed espressos per person served, half-and-half, plus some ice cubes to cool off your beverage quickly once everything else has been combined. Simple as that!
I’ll talk you through all of the most important steps to make the best iced breve at home below:
What does an iced breve taste like?
An iced breve is a popular espresso-based drink that has become an increasingly popular choice among coffee drinkers.
It differs from a latte, cappuccino, or macchiato in that it combines espresso shots with half-and-half rather than milk – resulting in a creamy, rich flavor profile.
When served over ice (as an iced breve), the rich, smooth mixture of espresso and half-and-half provides all the flavors expected from a traditional breve coffee or cappuccino while having less milk to water down the boldness of the taste.
The texture may be different than what you would expect as compared to other cold beverages, such as Frappuccinos, where you can find small bits of ice.
Overall, if you like rich caffeinated beverages with mild sweetness, this is definitely worth trying!
What ingredients are needed to make an iced breve?
To make an iced breve at home, you’ll only need to collect the following items:
- Espresso coffee
- Half-and-half
- Ice cubes
You can also sweeten this iced breve to taste with various options. I’ll go in-depth about this further down in the article.
If you don’t have half-and-half at home, you can easily make a batch by combining whole milk and heavy cream in equal parts.
To make a lighter option, you can opt for light cream instead of heavy cream.
As you can see, you’ll only need a few ingredients to make a delicious and refreshing drink at home!
How do you make great espresso at home?
Making a great espresso at home may seem daunting, but it can be simple with the right technique and knowledge.
You have various options when it comes to making espresso coffee at home. I’ve listed some below:
- For the most traditional espresso with a great crema, it’s best to use an espresso machine.
- If you love convenience, then you can also make great espresso coffee using your Nespresso or Keurig machine. Choose some great espresso pods, and you’re off to a great start!
- For the fastest espresso-like coffee, you can use an AeroPress. This is also a great option for when you’re traveling around.
- If you like a great-tasting espresso-like coffee with a technique that has been used for almost a century, you’ll love using a Moka pot.
As you can see, you’ve got plenty of options to choose from when it comes to brewing delicious espresso coffee at home.
Which coffee beans are best used for this recipe?
For the best possible flavor of an iced breve, reaching for a medium-dark roast is your best bet.
Medium-dark roasts are generally lighter in body and have an even balance between sweetness and acidity.
Additionally, they retain more of their natural flavors that can be lost with darker roasts.
The two most popular beans for this type of recipe are Brazilian or Colombian Arabica beans, which both offer nutty and chocolate-like undertones.
However, many other bean varieties from various countries could work well, too, such as Ethiopian Yirgacheffe beans.
If you’re looking for some great coffee beans to make espresso, have a look at some amazing options here!
How does an iced breve differ from an iced latte?
The main difference between an iced breve and an iced latte is that an iced breve is a coffee beverage made from espresso and half-and-half. In comparison, an iced latte uses regular, whole dairy milk and is then combined with a shot or two of espresso.
Both drinks are served over ice, but the ratio of ingredients differs significantly between them:
- An iced breve is made using equal parts of espresso coffee and half-and-half. It’s served in a 4-oz glass.
- While an iced latte uses 6 oz (180 ml) of whole milk and one or two espresso shots.
Both iced coffees can be sweetened to taste with various coffee syrups or other delicious add-ins. More on this below:
How do you sweeten an iced breve?
When it comes to sweetening an iced breve, you have several options:
- The most popular way to sweeten this beverage is by adding flavored syrups, such as vanilla or chocolate.
- If you don’t have any syrups on hand, honey works great as well – just be sure to stir it in thoroughly and not overdo it so that your iced breve doesn’t end up too sweet.
- You can also add cinnamon or cocoa powder for a delicious flavor boost.
- Or add some more decadence to your iced breve by adding a dollop of whipped cream to the mix!
Now that you know about the many options you have when it comes to customizing your iced breve, it’s time to put it to the test by following the recipe below:
Iced Breve Coffee
This iced breve coffee recipe will let you enjoy a summer-ready iced coffee in just a few minutes. And the best part? It only takes a few ingredients!
Ingredients
- Two espresso shots
- 2 oz (60 ml) of half-and-half
- Ice cubes
- Optionally: a sweetener such as a coffee syrup
Instructions
- Start by brewing your espresso shots. You can use your favorite coffee brewer to make the espresso coffee at home.
- Let the espresso shots cool completely before moving on to the next step. You can speed things up by adding an ice cube to the hot espresso.
- Fill a glass of choice to about halfway with ice cubes.
- Pour the half-and-half into the ice-filled glass.
- Finish by slowly pouring the cooled espresso coffee over the top.
- If you prefer a sweet iced breve, add a sweetener such as your favorite coffee syrup.
- Stir to combine all the flavors and enjoy as soon as possible for the most refreshing drink!
Notes
I wouldn't recommend using a coffee sauce for this recipe. This is an iced drink, so the sauce will not combine properly with the other ingredients. Instead, opting for a syrup with your favorite flavor is best.
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Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 108Total Fat: 8.36gSaturated Fat: 5.10gUnsaturated Fat: 2.34gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 46mgCarbohydrates: 5gSugar: 3.07gProtein: 3.51g
Conclusion
You can now enjoy your own iced breve coffee anytime you want. Making espresso at home is an excellent way to save money and still have that great cafe-quality taste.
The best part of making coffee at home is that it’s a process tailored to your individual preferences.
Start by collecting all the materials needed, perfecting the grind, selecting the right equipment, and understanding how all these pieces come together, and then go from there!
So go ahead, get creative in the kitchen! Spend some quality time experimenting with new ingredients (syrups, spices, etc.) and ratios to find that perfect balance of strength and flavor.