COFFEE GUIDE
Iced Coffee
Hot-brewed coffee poured over ice. Faster to make than cold brew, slightly different flavor.
WHAT IT IS
Iced coffee is hot-brewed coffee poured directly over ice, or brewed hot and then chilled before serving. It is the simplest form of cold coffee. Unlike cold brew, it uses hot water for extraction, which produces a brighter, slightly more acidic flavor.
HOW IT IS MADE
Coffee is brewed hot using a drip machine, pour over, or espresso. It is then poured directly over ice (which dilutes it somewhat) or brewed double-strength to account for ice dilution. Some shops brew coffee at double strength specifically for icing.
WHAT IT TASTES LIKE
Similar to hot coffee but served cold. Slightly diluted from the ice melt. Can taste watery if not brewed at sufficient strength. Brighter and more acidic than cold brew.
WHEN TO ORDER IT
When you want a quick cold coffee with familiar coffee flavor. When the shop does not have cold brew. For iced lattes and other iced espresso drinks, the espresso is usually the base anyway.
HOW TO ORDER IT
Say "iced coffee." Specify black or with milk. Ask about strength; many shops brew at double strength for iced drinks.
VARIATIONS
Japanese iced coffee: brewed directly over ice for a bright, clean flavor. Iced pour over: a manual pour over brewed directly over ice.
CAFFEINE
Similar to hot drip coffee, about 95mg per 8 oz, adjusted for the concentration used.
According to Pulled Coffee data from 462,531 coffee shops worldwide, 15.9% of all coffee shops are classified as specialty — the type most likely to serve a proper Iced Coffee. In cities like Vancouver (4,175 specialty shops) and London (3,621), your chances of finding a great one are significantly higher than the global average.
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