Introduction to Cold Brew Ice Cubes
Cold brew ice cubes are a simple way to create delicious iced coffee drinks at home. As the name suggests, cold brew ice cubes are made by freezing concentrated cold brew coffee into ice cube trays. This allows you to add a boost of cold brew flavor and caffeine to any iced beverage by simply dropping in a cube or two.
Cold brew ice cubes have become popular for iced coffee lovers who want to enhance their at-home iced coffee drinks. They provide a convenient way to get that cold brew taste without having to brew an entire pot or pitcher of cold brew. Let’s take a closer look at what cold brew ice cubes are, how to make them, and how to use them for delicious iced coffee drinks at home.
What is Cold Brew Coffee?
Before getting into the details of cold brew ice cubes, let’s quickly cover what cold brew coffee is. Cold brew coffee is a method of brewing where ground coffee beans are steeped in room temperature or cold water for 12-24 hours. This long steeping time extracts the flavors and caffeine from the beans without adding heat.
The resulting coffee concentrate is smooth, naturally sweet, and less acidic than traditional hot brewed coffee. Cold brew can be enjoyed straight over ice or diluted with water or milk. Popular cold brew drinks include iced lattes, mochas, and vanilla cold brew.
Why Make Cold Brew Ice Cubes?
There are a few key reasons why cold brew coffee lovers make homemade cold brew ice cubes:
- Adds concentrated cold brew flavor to iced coffee drinks
- Provides caffeine boost to iced drinks
- More convenient than brewing a whole batch of cold brew
- Customizable for your preferred coffee roast and strength
- Simple way to use leftover concentrated cold brew
Having a stash of cold brew cubes in the freezer makes it easy to quickly elevate any iced coffee, tea, or even smoothies. Let’s look at how to make perfect cold brew ice cubes at home.
How to Make Cold Brew Ice Cubes
Making DIY cold brew ice cubes is a very simple process with just two ingredients – coffee grounds and water. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Ingredients
- Cold brew coffee concentrate
- Ice cube trays
Instructions
- Brew a batch of cold brew coffee concentrate according to your preferred method. Make sure it is double the strength you like for drinking straight over ice.
- Let the concentrate cool to room temperature, then pour it into ice cube trays, filling each cavity to the top.
- Place the filled trays in the freezer for at least 4 hours until fully frozen.
- Pop the frozen cubes out of the tray and transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container for storing.
The cubes will keep for up to 6 months in the freezer. Make sure to label the cubes with the date so you know how long they’ve been stored.
Tips
- Use high-quality coffee beans and filtered water for best flavor
- Brew strong concentrate so the cubes don’t get diluted when added to drinks
- Try different coffee roasts like light, medium, and dark
- Add a bit of sugar or flavored syrup to the concentrate for flavor variations
- Freeze in silicon molds for easy removal
Experiment with different concentrations, coffee beans, and add-ins to customize your cold brew ice cubes.
How to Use Cold Brew Ice Cubes
Cold brew ice cubes give you an easy way to make any iced drink a cold brew drink. Here are some delicious ways to use them:
Iced Coffee
Add 2-3 cold brew cubes to a glass of ice and pour brewed coffee or espresso on top. Adjust amounts based on your preferred strength.
Iced Lattes/Mochas
Combine coffee, milk of choice, chocolate sauce if making a mocha, and cold brew ice cubes in a glass over ice.
Iced Tea
Elevate basic iced tea by adding a cold brew cube. Sweeten with honey or sugar as desired.
Smoothies
Blend cold brew cubes with milk/yogurt, fruit, greens, nut butters, protein powder, or other ingredients for a caffeinated power smoothie.
Milkshakes
Blend ice cream with just a touch of milk and drop in 1-2 cold brew cubes for an indulgent coffee milkshake.
Cocktails
Add cold brew cubes to iced cocktails in place of plain ice for a boost of flavor. Works great in whisky cocktails!
The possibilities are endless! Cold brew ice cubes are a simple way to infuse any drink with delicious coffee flavor. Adjust the number of cubes added to control the strength.
FAQs about Cold Brew Ice Cubes
If you’re new to the world of cold brew ice cubes, you may still have some questions. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
How long does it take to make cold brew ice cubes?
The active prep time is less than 5 minutes – simply fill trays with cold brew and freeze. Total time depends on how quickly your freezer can fully freeze the cubes, usually at least 4 hours.
How long do cold brew ice cubes last in the freezer?
Properly stored in airtight containers or bags, cold brew cubes can last for up to 6 months frozen. Always label with the date so you know how long they’ve been stored.
Can you make cold brew ice cubes with store-bought cold brew?
Absolutely! If you don’t want to make your own concentrate from scratch, simply use high-quality store-bought cold brew. Concentrate or black cold brew works best.
What is the best way to remove cold brew cubes from trays?
For easy removal, use silicon ice cube trays. You can also place plastic trays briefly under warm running water to help release the cubes.
How many cubes should you add to a drink?
This depends on serving size and desired strength. For a 16 oz iced coffee, start with 2-3 cubes and adjust to taste. Use just 1 cube in an 8 oz smoothie to avoid overpowering other flavors.
Get Creative with Cold Brew Ice Cubes!
Now that you know the basics of making and using cold brew ice cubes, get creative and have fun experimenting with flavors! Try adding a splash of flavored syrups or extracts to the coffee concentrate before freezing for intriguing flavored cubes. Popular mix-ins include vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, mint, and cinnamon.
You can also blend the coffee concentrate with milk or non-dairy milks prior to freezing for creamy cubes that blend perfectly into iced lattes. To make a fun adults-only treat, combine coffee concentrate with whiskey, amaretto, or Irish cream.
Let the ideas flow and soon you’ll have an endless variety of cold brew ice cubes ready to level up all your favorite iced drinks!
Conclusion
Cold brew ice cubes provide a simple, convenient way to add concentrated cold brew flavor and caffeine boost to iced drinks. Simply make a batch of strong cold brew concentrate, pour into ice trays, and freeze. Keep the homemade cubes on hand for elevating everything from iced coffee to tea, smoothies, and milkshakes.
Adjust the number of cubes added to each drink based on desired strength and serving size. Get creative with different coffee beans, strengths, and fun flavor mix-ins in the concentrate. Cold brew ice cubes take iced coffee drinks to the next level!
