The New Orleans Iced Coffee Recipe offers a delightfully rich and satisfying cold brew experience, perfect for those seeking to recreate that iconic New Orleans café flavor at home. This recipe is incredibly useful for beating the heat or satisfying a coffee craving with minimal effort and maximum taste.
Key Ingredients for New Orleans Iced Coffee Recipe
- 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) coarsely ground dark roast coffee (chicory blend is a plus!)
- 4 cups cold water
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup whole milk (or milk of your choice)
- Ice cubes
- Optional: Whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg
How to Make New Orleans Iced Coffee Recipe
This New Orleans Iced Coffee Recipe is a breeze to make, promising a deeply satisfying, creamy, and intensely flavorful coffee experience. Its simplicity belies its luxurious taste, making it a perfect treat for any time of day. With a quick preparation time of just 10 minutes plus steeping time, you’ll be sipping on café-quality coffee in no time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Your Coffee Concentrate:
In a large jar or container, combine the coarsely ground dark roast coffee (a chicory blend is highly recommended for that authentic New Orleans touch!) with 4 cups of cold water. Stir gently to ensure all the grounds are moistened. Do not over-stir, as this can lead to a bitter brew.
2. Steep and Chill:
Cover the container tightly and place it in the refrigerator for at least 12 to 24 hours. The longer it steeps, the stronger and more concentrated your coffee will become. For a robust flavor, aim for the longer steeping time.
3. Strain the Coffee Concentrate:
Once steeped, carefully strain the coffee concentrate. You can use a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth, a coffee filter, or a French press. Place the sieve or filter over a clean pitcher or bowl and slowly pour the coffee mixture through it. Discard the used coffee grounds. You should now have a smooth, concentrated coffee liquid.
4. Prepare the Creamy Sweetener:
In a separate bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and the whole milk (or your preferred milk). Stir until fully combined and smooth. This mixture creates the signature creamy sweetness that defines New Orleans iced coffee.
5. Assemble Your Iced Coffee:
Fill your serving glasses generously with ice cubes. Pour your desired amount of the strained coffee concentrate over the ice. A good starting point is to fill the glass about halfway or two-thirds of the way with the concentrate, depending on your preferred coffee strength.
6. Add the Creamy Sweetener:
Pour the milk and condensed milk mixture over the coffee concentrate, filling the rest of the glass. Stir well to combine all the layers.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
Taste your New Orleans iced coffee and adjust the sweetness or coffee strength as needed by adding more concentrate or creamy sweetener. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg, if desired, for an extra special touch.
Why You’ll Love This New Orleans Iced Coffee Recipe
You’ll absolutely adore this New Orleans Iced Coffee Recipe for its incredibly rich, smooth texture and its perfectly balanced sweet and coffee notes that transport you straight to a bustling French Quarter café. It’s a sensational upgrade from your everyday iced coffee, offering a depth of flavor that’s hard to beat. Plus, the cost-saving benefit of whipping this up at home instead of frequenting coffee shops is significant, allowing you to enjoy this decadent treat more often without breaking the bank. The addition of sweetened condensed milk creates a luscious creaminess that’s truly unparalleled, making every sip a delightful indulgence, much like a classic Vietnamese iced coffee but with its own unique NOLA charm.
Imagine the joy of waking up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, knowing you can create this velvety, sweet, and invigorating cold brew in your own kitchen. It’s the ultimate way to elevate your morning routine or conquer an afternoon slump with a touch of Southern hospitality. Don’t just dream about that authentic New Orleans coffeehouse experience; make it a reality! Give this New Orleans Iced Coffee Recipe a try today – your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Storing Leftovers: The brewed coffee concentrate can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The sweetened milk mixture can also be stored separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating (Not Applicable for Iced Coffee): This recipe is designed to be enjoyed cold. If you accidentally make too much coffee concentrate, you can store it as directed and use it for future iced coffees.
- Freezing: While not ideal for the assembled drink, you can freeze the coffee concentrate in ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. These coffee ice cubes can be used to make future iced coffees without diluting the flavor. They will last in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Final Thoughts
This New Orleans Iced Coffee Recipe is your passport to a delightful and café-quality coffee experience at home. Its rich flavors and satisfying creaminess make it an absolute must-try, so gather your ingredients and whip up a batch today!
New Orleans Iced Coffee Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large jar or container, combine the coarsely ground dark roast coffee (a chicory blend is highly recommended for that authentic New Orleans touch!) with 4 cups of cold water. Stir gently to ensure all the grounds are moistened. Do not over-stir, as this can lead to a bitter brew.8 tablespoons coarsely ground dark roast coffee (chicory blend is a plus!), 4 cups cold water
- Cover the container tightly and place it in the refrigerator for at least 12 to 24 hours. The longer it steeps, the stronger and more concentrated your coffee will become. For a robust flavor, aim for the longer steeping time.
- Once steeped, carefully strain the coffee concentrate. You can use a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth, a coffee filter, or a French press. Place the sieve or filter over a clean pitcher or bowl and slowly pour the coffee mixture through it. Discard the used coffee grounds. You should now have a smooth, concentrated coffee liquid.
- In a separate bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and the whole milk (or your preferred milk). Stir until fully combined and smooth. This mixture creates the signature creamy sweetness that defines New Orleans iced coffee.1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 cup whole milk (or milk of your choice)
- Fill your serving glasses generously with ice cubes. Pour your desired amount of the strained coffee concentrate over the ice. A good starting point is to fill the glass about halfway or two-thirds of the way with the concentrate, depending on your preferred coffee strength.none none ice cubes
- Pour the milk and condensed milk mixture over the coffee concentrate, filling the rest of the glass. Stir well to combine all the layers.1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 cup whole milk (or milk of your choice)
- Taste your New Orleans iced coffee and adjust the sweetness or coffee strength as needed by adding more concentrate or creamy sweetener. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg, if desired, for an extra special touch.optional Whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg