If you’re looking for something other than hot or sweet drinks on those sweltering days of summer, then consider making an iced Americano.
How Do You Make An Iced Americano?
The first step for creating this delicious beverage is to find out what exactly makes up an iced Americano.
The name itself suggests that it should be made with espresso and served cold but there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to how this beverage is created.
Iced coffees come in many different variations so if you don’t want to follow the guidelines listed below, feel free to experiment as much as you would like!
- Start by brewing your own espresso using any method you prefer (there are several methods online). If you have access to an espresso machine, use it instead to save time.
- Once you have brewed your coffee, add ice into a glass pitcher or bowl until the water reaches 1/3 full.
- Pour the cooled coffee over the prepared ice cubes. Try not to stir too vigorously because stirring causes the foam layer at the top of the mixture to break down which can cause the coffee to lose its flavor.
- Place the lid back onto the pitcher or bowl and shake gently to mix everything together. You may need to repeat steps 2 and 3 depending on how large your pitcher or bowl is.
- Serve immediately while shaking occasionally to keep everything cool.
What Is In An Iced Americano?
The secret ingredient in an iced americano is espresso powder, which gives it its unique flavor and aroma.
The cold temperature slows down the rate at which water molecules evaporate from the beverage, allowing them to condense into droplets that fall back onto the surface of the liquid.
As these droplets freeze, they create a layer over the top of the beverage, giving it its signature ice cream texture.
It’s also important to note that while the term “Americano” refers to both types of Italian coffees (espresso and cappuccino), only one type can be used as a base for an iced americano — either espresso or moka pot.
How Do You Make A Starbucks Iced Americano?
The first thing that comes to mind when you think about drinking an iced Americano is probably a tall glass filled with ice and cold espresso.
However, that isn’t what makes it an “Americano.” The original version of the drink was created by Harry Johnson Jr., who opened his first café called Caffe Mediterraneum in 1933.
It is made with equal parts of espresso and steamed milk, which is why Harry named his creation after one of America’s most popular sports teams—the New York Yankees.
Today, there are many variations of iced Americanos available around the world, but here’s how you can make one at home if you don’t want to visit any local cafes.
- Put water into saucepan until boiling point (just before it starts bubbling)
- Add 2 teaspoons sugar
- Pour 1 cup milk into blender and blend well
- Slowly pour 3/4 cup ground espresso through strainer into blender while blending on low speed until smooth.
- Add remaining 1/4 cup milk to blender
- Blend on high speed for 20 seconds. Pour mixture into glass and add ice cubes.
- Enjoy!
Ingredients
- Water
- Sugar
- Milk
- Espresso
- Ice Cubes
How Do You Make An Iced Americano At Home?
The secret behind making an iced americano is actually quite easy to figure out!
All it takes is a basic espresso machine and some cold milk.
- Brew an espresso using 1/4 cup (60ml) water per 8 ounces (240ml) of ground coffee.
- Pour the brewed espresso into a glass filled halfway up with ice cubes.
- Add 2 tablespoons of nonfat milk powder.
- Stir to combine until well mixed.
Afterwards, add more ice if necessary to chill the mixture down, but don’t overdo it because adding too many ice cubes can dilute the taste of the beverage.
How Much Caffeine Is In An Iced Americano?
Caffeine is not only found in coffee but also tea and soda.
The amount of caffeine that each cup of iced Americano contains depends on how strong it was before being frozen.
- An 8 oz (227 mL) glass of water has about 20 mg of caffeine per serving.
- A medium sized Starbucks brewed coffee has between 100 – 200 mg of caffeine.
- A large size latte from Starbucks has around 250 mg of caffeine.
- A typical tall cappuccino has around 150 mg of caffeine.
- A venti size latte from Starbucks has around 300 mg of caffeine.
- A small size cappuccino has around 120 mg of caffeine.
The more caffeine that’s present in the beverage, the stronger its flavor will be.
So if you want a milder taste, add less ice when preparing your iced americano.
How Many Calories Are In An Iced Americano?
The amount of calories in an iced americano varies depending upon how it’s made.
For example, if you use regular sugar instead of honey, your calorie count might be higher by 25 calories per 8 oz (227 mL).
If you also add vanilla extract, that extra ingredient can raise your calorie count by another 50 calories per 8 oz (227 mL).
To make sure you consume enough calories during your day, plan ahead so you have a healthy snack before drinking your iced americano.
You could even try adding protein powder into the mix to boost your daily intake of essential nutrients.
What Is The Difference Between An Iced Americano And A Cold Brew?
There may be some confusion about what exactly constitutes as an iced americano.
It can be defined as either a cold brew made from brewed coffee that has been chilled before being mixed into ice cream or it can refer to any kind of iced coffee beverage where the coffee is blended with milk or water and served over ice cubes.
The latter definition encompasses everything from a latte to frappes and even milkshakes.
So what makes one iced americano different from another? Let us explain.
There are several key differences when comparing these two types of beverages.
- Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee
- Milk vs. Water
- Ice Cream vs. Ice Cubes
Let’s break down each type of iced americano and its benefits below.
1. Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee
The first big difference between both of these iced americanos is how they were prepared.
While most people think of coffee as a warm drink, there are actually more ways to prepare it than ever before.
You have now options such as cold brew, espresso, french press, drip, stovetop, pour over, and others.
While cold brewing coffee is often considered the best method, other methods will give you the same results.
However, there are several reasons why cold brewing is so popular.
First, it takes less time and effort than other preparation methods.
Second, it allows for better extraction since the grounds aren’t exposed to high temperatures like in other methods.
It also helps if you want to try out new flavors without having to spend hours experimenting.
For instance, you could make an iced americano using vanilla bean cold brew instead of regular cold brew.
If you don’t know anything about cold brew, we recommend checking out our guide here.
In terms of taste, cold brew will generally be milder tasting because the flavor isn’t extracted fully.
Also, cold brew tends to retain more caffeine than standard ground coffee beans which means you can get more bang for your buck.
On the flip side, cold brew doesn’t provide much of a kick compared to other methods.
So while cold brew is great for beginners, experienced baristas might find themselves wanting more caffeine after drinking a cup.
On the next page, let’s learn more about iced coffees that use milk versus ones that use only water.
2. Milk vs. No Milk
Another distinction between iced americanos comes from whether or not milk is added to them.
Some prefer their iced americano to be made only with water while others add milk to theirs.
In general, adding milk provides extra sweetness but also makes the drink thicker.
It can help prevent foam buildup in the glass and make the overall experience feel smoother.
Those who prefer milkless iced americanos usually do so for health purposes.
According to research by Harvard Medical School, adults should limit their daily consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (which includes sodas and fruit juices) to no more than 150 calories per day.
By swapping out sugary beverages with healthier alternatives like iced americanos, you can consume fewer calories throughout the day.
However, keep in mind that adding milk does increase the calorie count of your iced americano to around 160 calories.
To minimize the impact of this, it is important to adjust the amount of milk used.
A good rule of thumb is to start off with 2 tablespoons of milk and gradually work up to 4 tablespoons until you reach your desired consistency.
Finally, let’s take a look at the third big difference between these two types of iced americanos – the size of the ice cube.
3. Ice Cube Size
This aspect of iced americanos is very subjective.
Many prefer large ice cubes while others prefer smaller cubes.
Smaller ice cubes are easier to handle and fit neatly inside the glass.
They also melt faster which gives the drink a fresher feeling.
Plus, small ice cubes tend to produce less foam when poured into a glass.
However, larger ice cubes allow for more of the liquid to remain suspended within the ice cube rather than sinking to the bottom.
When pouring a larger ice cube, you end up with more surface area for the liquid to rest upon.
As a result, you need to stir the drink more frequently to ensure it remains smooth and creamy.
Because of this, some people believe that larger ice cubes are preferable.
Is An Iced Americano Healthy?
The answer to that question depends entirely upon what kind of coffee you use in it.
If you’re talking about using a regular cup of joe, then no, you can’t call that an “healthier” version of a latte.
That said, if you want to try out some healthier alternatives, then we have a list of 10 healthiest ways to get caffeine without sugar.
You may also be interested in these 6 surprising healthy foods and drinks that are actually good for you.
But if you choose to use a more natural alternative like a cold brew, then yes, you can definitely say that it’s a much healthier choice.
Cold brew has been around since at least the 1960s when Keurig introduced its first cold brew machine.
It was originally marketed as a method for serving up large quantities of ice cold coffee quickly.
But over time, people started adding other flavors to their brews and now there are dozens of different varieties available from every major coffee roaster on Earth (and beyond).
Cold brew is made by steeping ground coffee beans in water for anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks before straining them out and freezing the resulting liquid.
The longer you steep the grounds, the stronger the taste will be.
So while you might not always find cold brew available near you during the warmer months, you can still order online and pick up a bag whenever you need one.
And if you don’t like the flavor of cold brewed coffee, you can always add another ingredient to liven things up!
How Do You Make An Iced Americano With Almond Milk?
This iced americano recipe uses almond milk and espresso instead of regular whole milk and black coffee because it has more protein that can be used as energy during workouts.
Almond milk also helps maintain proper electrolyte levels in the body which can help hydrate us better after exercising, especially since we sweat out so much water when running.
It contains calcium, magnesium, vitamin B6, phosphorus, zinc, iron, potassium, manganese, copper, and selenium, all essential nutrients for our bodies.
- What are the benefits of drinking iced americanos?
- Why would I need to add extra calories if I am already eating enough food?
- Where can I find these ingredients? Are they hard to come by?
Ingredients
- 1 cup (250 ml) skimmed nonfat milk powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (60 ml) unsweetened almond milk
- 2 cups (500 ml) cold filtered water
- 4 shots (20 grams) of espresso (or 1 tablespoon [15 ml] ground coffee)
- Ice cubes
Equipment Needed
- Blender/food processor
- Mason jar
- Measuring jug
- Ice tray
Procedure
Step 1: Place the almond milk into a blender along with ½ cup (125 ml) of the cold water. Blend until smooth.
Step 2: Using a measuring jug, measure out ¾ cup (175 ml) of the remaining cold water and pour it into a mason jar with ice cubes. Stir thoroughly using a spoon to ensure the mixture is fully blended.
Step 3: Add the rest of the cold water to the blender and mix well. Pour about one third of the mixture into another mason jar with ice cubes and stir again. Repeat two more times.
You should end up having three jars filled with icy cold almond milk. Each of them should have around four servings of iced americano. If you want to make sure there are no lumps, transfer each of the contents from its own jar into the blender.
Step 4: Transfer the almond milk back into the original mason jar. The amount of time it takes to cool down depends on how fast the liquid boils while being poured into the jar. You may wish to use a thermometer to check the temperature every minute or two.
Step 5: Once the almond milk inside the jar comes to room temperature, remove the lid and place it in the refrigerator overnight.
The next morning, take out the almond milk and blend it up with the other ingredients.
Then, fill the empty mason jar with fresh ice cubes.
When the ice starts turning blue, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl in order to catch any sediment at the bottom.
Use a funnel to pour the cooled beverage into your glasses.
Drink immediately!
How Do You Make An Iced Americano With
Almond Milk: Almond milk can be used in place of regular milk if desired.
If you have no almond milk in your fridge, you can also use any type of dairy-free milk and add it at the end so that it doesn’t curdle.
Simply whisk together one cup of nonfat dry milk powder (or 1/4 cup powdered sugar) with two cups of water until smooth.
Allow mixture to cool before adding it into the blender along with the rest of the ingredients.
Coconut Water: Coconut water adds a nice flavor boost without compromising the health benefits.
You can find coconut water in many grocery stores as well as online, but if you don’t want to buy any, simply mix equal parts of plain water and fresh squeezed orange juice.
Add ice cubes after blending everything together.
Lemon Juice: Lemon juice helps balance out the sweetness from the other ingredients while bringing some much needed Vitamin C into play.
Be sure to squeeze only enough lemon juice to cover the top layer of pulp inside of the fruit.
This prevents excess bitterness, which would ruin the taste of the entire beverage.
Simple Syrup: Simple syrup can be made with just three ingredients: water, granulated sugar, and honey.
Combine these three ingredients in a small saucepan over medium high heat.
Stir occasionally until the sugar has dissolved completely.
Remove from heat once ready and allow to cool before using.
Strawberries: Strawberries are always welcome when the weather turns warm and sunny.
They provide a natural source of Vitamin C, fiber, potassium, folate, and antioxidants.
In addition, they are low in calories and fat per serving, which makes them great for weight loss.
Watermelon: Watermelons contain tons of vitamins A, B1, B6, and C, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, niacin, riboflavin, and zinc.
The amount of each nutrient varies depending upon how ripe and juicy it is.
Make sure not to eat too much because eating large quantities of water melon may cause digestive issues like nausea and vomiting.
Ingredients
- ½ cup ice
- 2 ounces espresso
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- Create the espresso: Create the espresso using a Moka Pot, a French press, an espresso machine, or a manual espresso maker. For directions, visit How to Make Espresso.
- Add ice after: To the glass, add the ice. Over ice, pour the espresso. If desired, taste and add cold water, but it is not necessary because the ice will suitably dilute the espresso.
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Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.