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Bring out the depth of flavour your iced joe needs with these coffee machines and overnight options
Fancy an iced coffee like you had on holiday in Greece, or saw on Love Island? Or maybe you’re a die-hard cold-brew aficionado. Either way, a cold-brew system or an iced coffee machine is the way to get perfect results every time.
If you’re unsure what cold-brew coffee is, let us explain. It’s essentially coffee that’s brewed over a long period of time in cold water. Shocking, right? The results are sweeter, deeper and less acidic-tasting than when it’s made with hot water. You can serve it straight, on the rocks or with milk and you’ve got a very tasty drink indeed. Unsurprisingly, it’s got quite the fan following.
Iced coffee is usually made in the traditional way, then poured over ice and topped up with cold milk and whatever flavourings you like. But if that sounds like a bit of a faff, then there are machines that can take charge. This can be great if you’re really into your icy brews because the machines will tweak how it makes the coffee to create a drink with a deeper flavour. This will counterbalance the cold ice and milk, which can inhibit the flavour somewhat.
Cold-brew coffee makers, on the other hand, are usually manual. You’ll need to load up the grounds (you want a coarse grind) and then pour over cold water. Unfortunately, it won’t be ready to drink in minutes, rather you’ll need to leave it steep overnight or for at least eight hours – either in the fridge or just at room temperature. But trust us, sometimes it’s worth the wait.
We looked at both cold-brew coffee makers and iced coffee machines for this highly caffeinated round-up. We used the same high-end ground coffee for all our methods to ensure even results. Our method was to use cold tap water with the cold-brew makers, stir and then leave overnight. With the ice coffee machines, we followed the instructions, looking at how good the icy brew was versus how much of a faff it would be to use.
Ultimately we wanted a coffee machine that would fit into our lives long term rather than just being an appliance that eventually gets relegated to the back of the kitchen cupboard.
Each coffee maker is likely to have its own set of instructions, so be sure to read the packaging carefully. Some may be dishwasher-safe but most will require some sort of rinse and repeat method. We suggest starting with equal parts distilled white vinegar and water in your coffee maker’s water chamber. Then with the basket and filter chamber emptied, begin to brew so that the machine can be flushed out with your vinegar and water combo. Let it sit for a couple of minutes then rinse out with clean water and repeat.
Thanks to the wonders of the internet, bulk buying your coffee beans or pre-ground coffee has never been easier- or cheaper. To find the right brand and bean for you check out our article rounding up our favourite coffee brands.
The world is your oyster when it comes to iced coffee cups, with the internet packed with new and stylish ways to ensure our iced beverages never leave our side. Amazon in particular has some great options, like these funky vintage style glasses (£5.99, Amazon.co.uk) or if you’re looking for an on-the-go option this Okuri insulated travel mug is a great pick (£15.99, Amazon.co.uk). And for some options that work for both hot and cold coffees, check out our round-up of the best reusable coffee cups.
We loved the Hario bottle for its simplicity and the capacity it had paired with the relatively small amount of fridge space it took up. And it made as good a cold brew as any other maker or machine on this roundup. If you’re looking for something a bit – ok, a lot – more zhuzhy, then the la specialista maestro from Delonghi is perfecto.
For a speedy cuppa joe that doesn’t compromise on taste, these are the best instant coffees to try