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Author:
Franco Salzillo
The French love their coffee so much that it’s the country’s flagship non-alcoholic drink. There’s something special in drinking coffee like the French — it’s not only a drink to grab and go on your way to work, but a complete gastronomic experience you enjoy with a fluffy croissant on the side.
Yes, coffee is part of the French culture, and although they’ll serve it in different ways, the most refreshing and fit for warm days is the iced coffee.
So, why is this type of iced coffee different from all others? Read on and find out all there is behind an authentic French iced coffee.
The most crucial element of any iced coffee is the coffee itself. Good coffee makes good, iced drinks — there’s no way around that.
And when we say good coffee, we’re talking about a fragrant, mild French press coffee. A French press is one of the most reliable ways of getting a proper cup of coffee with little effort and almost no equipment.
You only need a French press, which, by the way, looks lovely in your kitchen!
We’re not going into details about how to make coffee with a French press, but it’s pretty straightforward.
Add the ground coffee, place the plunger, fill with hot water and press. The coffee is ready.
Now, to make a proper iced coffee, you must work with cold coffee, or at least at room temperature. Otherwise, it will dissolve the ice, instantly diluting the drink.
One way of cooling down coffee is letting it sit for a while (never place hot things in the fridge!). You can also use an ice bath to cool down the container holding the coffee.
You’ll also need milk, and although there’s now a dozen types of milk, consider going the old-fashioned way and use whole milk for this coffee specialty.
After all, it’s an indulgence.
Finally, you’ll need vanilla sugar, making the coffee taste as if it came from a Parisian bistro.
If you can’t find vanilla sugar, use the regular kind and add a dash of vanilla extract to the coffee. Stir and enjoy over lots of fresh ice.
Brew the French coffee, strain it and cool it down to room temperature in an ice bath.
Combine the coffee with milk and sugar. Shake in a cocktail glass or whisk until frothy.
Pour over two glasses filled with fresh ice.
