Iced americano recipe: your summertime coffee fix

Even when it’s 100 in the shade, I still feel the need for coffee. That’s when I start creating iced versions of my favorite coffees. Talking of favorite coffees, americano is one of those oh so simple, but always reliable coffees. You just know you are going to enjoy an americano. So when it’s hot, relax with my super simple iced americano recipe.

What is an iced caffe americano?

An Iced Americano is a coffee beverage made with espresso, ice cubes and cold water. It’s made with a shot or two of espresso mixed with cold water and poured over ice. The name “Americano” is believed to have originated during World War II when American soldiers in Italy would order espresso shots diluted with water to make it taste more like the coffee they were used to in the United States.

The taste of iced americano coffee

The taste of an iced Americano is refreshing and bold. It has all the flavor of the regular hot version. So, depending on the espresso beans you use, it will have notes of chocolate or caramel, and even spices and citrus fruits.

You know that a regular americano can also have a lot of the pleasant bitterness of the coffee – especially if you use a really intense dark roast. Well, adding chilled water and ice cubes mellow out the bitterness. Leaving just enough to enjoy amongst the other flavors of the coffee.

Iced americano is a long refreshing and cooling coffee you simply won’t want to stop drinking.

How to make an iced americano

Making an Iced Americano is super simple. You don’t need many ingredients or equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:

Equipment:

• Espresso Machine or coffee maker
• Glass
• Spoon

Ingredients:

• 2 shots espresso
• 1/2 cup Cold water
• 3/4 cup ice cubes
• 2 tbsp flavored syrup or other sweetener (optional)
• 1/4 cup chilled milk (optional)

Method:

• Brew 2 shots of espresso
• While the espresso is brewing 1/2 fill a glass with ice cubes.
• Once the coffee is ready pour it over the ice cubes.
• Add the water
• Add any flavored syrup or other sweetener (optional)
• Stir it with a spoon.
• Enjoy!

Top Tips

Here are some handy tips to make your Iced Americano even better:

• Use high-quality espresso beans to get the best taste and only grind them just before you need them. That ensures they are as fresh as possible.
• Use filtered water, not bottled mineral water. The flavor of the minerals will unbalance the taste of your coffee.
• Feel free to experiment with the number of espresso shots and amount of water to find your perfect balance.
• Add sweeteners like sugar, honey or syrup if you prefer a sweeter taste. Again, you can try different flavors and amounts of sweeteners to find what works best for you.

Other Great Iced Coffees You Will Enjoy

If, like me, you love iced americano, you’re going to enjoy some of these popular iced coffees:

• Cold Brew – it’s so mellow, you just have to relax
• Iced hazelnut Latte – another favorite relaxing summer coffee.
• Iced espresso – if you want to cool down but need an energy boost – look no further!
• Mocha iced latte – Could there be a better pairing than coffee and chocolate?
• Iced shaken espresso – another short energy boost, but so much smoother than regular espresso.
• Iced caramel latte – you see the theme here! Yes, this is another coffee to relax with.

The Bottom Line

It’s the perfect summer drink to keep you energized and refreshed. It’s easy to make and has a bold, strong taste that I love and hope you will too. Try experimenting with different flavorings and proportions until you find your perfect balance.

Never forget, it’s all about making your perfect coffee.

Stay cool and enjoy your summer with a delicious iced americano!

FAQs

What is an Iced Americano?

It’s a refreshing cold coffee drink that consists of 1-2 shots of espresso, chilled water and ice cubes.

How much caffeine does a 2 shot americano have?

Americanos made with 2 shots of espresso contain around 120-160mg of caffeine. The amount varies depending on the beans used for brewing the coffee.

If you need to watch your caffeine intake, make sure to check how much caffeine there is in the coffee you are using. Alternatively, there are some great-tasting decaf coffees.

How should it be served?

It’s best to serve it with plenty of ice in a glass over crushed or cubed ice. You can even add some cream and top with a sprinkle of chocolate or cinnamon powders.

What are some variations to the classic iced americano recipe?

It can be modified by adding syrups such as caramel, hazelnut, mocha and vanilla for an extra sweet kick! If that appeals to you, check out my Guide to syrups for coffee you can make at home.

You could also add creamers such as almond milk or oat milk to make it smoother and creamier in texture if you want.