There are two methods to prepare Iced Coffee in French Press! The normal way and the Cold brew way.
Normal Iced coffee is prepared using hot water (195-205 degrees), whereas cold brew is prepared using cold water (room temperature).
They both have different taste profiles as well.
Normal iced coffee tastes sharp, acidic, and slightly bitter similar to brewed coffee. While cold brew tastes strong and naturally sweet. It is slightly higher in caffeine than iced coffee and full of coffee oils and flavors.
You can make French Press iced coffee with the cold brew route and I must say it’s the best way to prepare iced coffee but it takes a very long (16-24 hours) so you have to prepare for it a day earlier.
Best Coffee beans for French Press Iced Coffee
Dark-roasted coffee beans are best for making Iced Coffee with French Press. Their robust and bold flavors can stand up to the dilution caused by ice and water, ensuring your brew maintains a rich, full-bodied taste. Their intensity and cocoa notes pair well with the milk too.
For maximum flavor, opt for the darker side of the bean spectrum!
How to make Iced Coffee with French Press
(The Quick Way, Not Cold Brew!)
Undoubtedly, the best way to prepare Iced coffee in French Press is with a cold brew. However, it takes much time and you have to prepare for it a day prior.
If you are in a rush, Here’s a quick method to prepare Iced Coffee in French Press, it will only take 10 minutes to prepare!
Step-By-Step Guide
Pre Setup:
- Boil the water: after boiling let it sit for 30 minutes. (250 mL water per serving)
- Grind the coffee beans: Grind the beans to Coarse settings (15-20 grams of beans per serving)
Step 1: Pour The Ground Coffee And Water
Pour the coarse coffee grounds into a French press. Add 1/4th of the water first so the beans can bloom. Add water in a circular motion. Stir it gently for 30 seconds and add the remaining water.
Step 2: Let the Grounds Steep
For Iced Coffee steep the grounds in French Press for a little bit longer than a normal hot brew. 5 or 6 minutes is a good starting point you can adjust from there according to your taste.
Since ice cubes dilute the coffee, the longer steeping time will make a stronger cup of coffee to counter that.
Step 3: Fill a glass with Ice cubes
Meanwhile, the coffee is steeping. Take a glass and fill it with iced cubes to the top.
Step 4: Press the Plunger
Now Press the Plunger slowly to separate the drink from the grounds, and Pour the freshly brewed coffee into the glass full of ice cubes.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Your Iced coffee is ready, you can serve the drink as it is or you can add milk or creamers for extra flavors. Either way, you’ll love it!
French Press Cold Brew Iced Coffee
(The Better Way)
I personally love to prepare with the Cold brew route as it results in a delicious and strong cold coffee drink.
It is essential to steep the coffee grounds in French Press overnight for a minimum of 16-24 hours before preparation to ensure the best possible flavor.
Step-By-Step Guide
What you’ll need:
- 32 oz Filtered Water
- 150-180 grams of Coarse Coffee grounds
Step 1: Grind the Beans
Weigh around 150 – 180 Grams of coffee beans and grind them to coarse settings. (For a strong Cold Brew concentrate, a 1:4 coffee-to-water ratio is recommended)
You can use Pre-ground coffee too but never use fine grinds as it can make the taste very bitter
Step 2: Mix the Coffee and the water
Add the coffee grounds to the French Press and pour 32 oz water over it.
The Water should be at room temperature
Step 3: Let it Steep Overnight
Give the mixture a quick stir and let it sit for 16–24 hours so the water extracts flavors from the coffee grounds.
Don’t Place the mixture in the fridge!
Step 4: Push the Plunger
The next morning, Gently plunge the plunger all the way down to separate the coffee ground from the brewed coffee.
Step 5: Enjoy
Your cold brew concentrate is ready. Serve it over ice and enjoy.
You can store this concentrate in a fridge for a week and use it whenever you need it
This method will produce a strong cold brew concentrate that you can dilute by adding cold water, ice cubes, or milk. You can also add creamers or sweeteners to make your drink fancy.
Tips to Improve the Flavor of French Press Iced Coffee
Here are some tips to take your French Press Iced Coffee to the next level.
1- Freeze Brewed-Coffee Ice Cubes
To keep your iced coffee from getting diluted or watered down, freeze some leftover brewed coffee into ice cubes. Use these coffee ice cubes in your iced coffee recipe instead of regular ice cubes made from water.
This will make a richer Iced drink with a strong coffee taste.
2- Add Honey As a Natural Sweetener
Honey is an excellent way to sweeten up iced coffee! It blends in smoothly and adds subtle floral notes.
3) Use Frothed Milk
If you want to add milk to your French Press Iced Coffee always froth it well before adding. Frothed milk takes the texture and taste of Iced coffee to the next level!
Frothing incorporates air bubbles, giving the milk a light, foamy texture. This adds a smooth and creamy element that normal cold milk can’t provide.
If you don’t have an automatic milk frother you can froth the milk in a blender or manually with a whisk or in a French press itself.
4- Use Flavored Syrups
Adding a flavored syrup like vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut can add a sweet and tasty twist to your iced coffee.
5- Add Some Ice-Cream
Adding 1-2 scoops of Vanilla ice cream to iced coffee creates an irresistible dessert drink!
The cold ice cream slightly mellows the bold flavors of coffee while adding sweet creaminess.
Is a French press good for iced coffee?
Here are three reasons why I love using French Press for making Iced Coffee.
- A French press is easy to use and does not require any special equipment or electricity, making it an ideal option for making iced coffee at home.
- French press coffee is rich and full-bodied, so it won’t get diluted when you add ice cubes. Coffee brewed with drip machines or pour-over methods is filtered and can become diluted when you add ice cubes.
- You have complete control over the brewing process. The amount of coffee grounds, the size of the grounds, and the water you use in a French press can easily be adjusted to suit your taste.
Read more French Press recipes
FAQs
Is Cold Brew Iced Coffee Stronger than Regular Brew Iced Coffee?
Cold brew iced coffee is stronger than iced coffee made with regular hot brewed coffee. The extended steeping time extracts more flavor compounds from the coffee beans, resulting in a bolder and more concentrated cup of coffee.
Additionally, the cold water extraction process extracts only a few bitter compounds, resulting in a smoother and less acidic flavor profile.
French Press Iced Coffee Recipe
Equipment
- French Press
- Electric Kettle or stove
Ingredients
- 750 mL Filtered Water
- 2 oz Coarse Coffee grounds
Instructions
- Grind the coffee beans to coarse settings and them to French press Jar
- Heat the water near the boiling water (195-205 degrees). Add 1/4th of the water over coffee grounds and stir the mixture for 30 seconds.
- Add the remaining water and let the mixture steep for 5-6 minutes.
- Meanwhile, the coffee is steeping. Take a glass and fill it with iced cubes to the top.
- Now Pour the freshly brewed coffee into the glass full of ice cubes.
- Your Iced coffee is ready, you can serve the drink as it is or you can add milk or creamers for extra flavors.
