Having been at home much more in recent weeks, I’ve wanted to continue my caffeine addiction, yet not expose myself or others by going to the many local coffee stands around. If you’ve also felt the urge to still want some quality coffee but at home, I have found a ~pretty~ similar way to achieve this, especially considering I have no actual barista training.
1. Brew Coffee (or Espresso, if you can)
Since this is an iced version, I tend to brew my coffee a day prior and then pop it in the fridge overnight so it’s cold and doesn’t water down the coffee immediately (if you don’t plan ahead however, you can put the coffee in the freezer for 10-20 minutes to achieve a similar effect). If you own an espresso machine, pull two shots for the coffee.
2. Make a Simple Syrup
Simple syrup is incredibly easy to make – essentially, boil together equal parts sugar and water. Once the sugar is dissolved, allow to boil for 1-2 minutes and then take off heat, cooling before use. Here is a much more in-depth piece, but this simple sweetener is a great addition to pull away from the overly strong coffee taste (at least for me). There are also different recipes on Pinterest that include infusions (think vanilla, hazelnut, peppermint) too!
3. Mix it All Together
Next is the fun part – adding everything together! Once the prep work is done, all you need to do is fill a glass with ice, a splash of simple syrup, half your milk of choice, and the other half coffee. I personally have caramel syrup on hand as well, so I like to drizzle some on top to almost have a Starbucks caramel macchiato at home (and without paying almost $6 for one too!). From there you can choose different flavorings or variations – add whipped cream, vanilla, mocha sauce, etc.
4. Enjoy!
The best part of the entire process! Enjoy your iced coffee, and wait for the caffeine buzz to kick in!