Iced coffee, a refreshing treat on hot days, is a time-honored tradition. Its cool embrace is a welcome relief from the heat of the sun and a refreshing pick-me-up for the senses. But imagine if we could take this time-honored drink to a whole new level of flavour and liveliness. Envision adding the lively aroma of freshly selected herbs to the refreshing taste of iced coffee. This intriguing combination has the potential to be a game-changer, bringing new dimensions of scent and a touch of natural deliciousness. Let's take a trip to the magical land of iced coffee flavoured with the fresh herb charm, where every sip is a journey of sensory delight and a welcome diversion from the daily grind.
Here are five herbs and the proper method for incorporating them into iced coffee
Mint Leaves: The mint in iced coffee is a welcome addition that helps wake you up in the morning. While your coffee is brewing, take a handful of fresh mint leaves, crush them to release their oils, and add them to the pot. Coffee and ice can also be served after mint leaves have been muddled in a glass.
Lavender: Iced coffee flavoured with lavender has a subtle flowery aroma. Put a few dried buds of culinary lavender in a tea infuser or coffee filter. Coffee infused with lavender is best served over ice after being brewed and chilled.
Basil: The addition of basil gives iced coffee a distinctively herbal flavour. Before pouring the brewed coffee into the cup, tear a few fresh basil leaves and set them on the bottom of the cup. After allowing the flavours to become infused and the coffee to cool, add the ice to the drink.
Cardamom: Add a touch of ground cardamom to your iced coffee for a fragrant twist. After brewing and cooling your coffee, stir in a pinch of ground cardamom before pouring it over ice. The aromatic cardamom complements the coffee's richness, creating a delightful and aromatic iced beverage.
Rosemary: Rosemary adds a pleasant aroma and a subtle woodsy note to iced coffee. Pour the brewed coffee over a sprig of fresh rosemary that you've placed in your coffee cup. Remove the rosemary and serve over ice after letting it sit for a while.
Thyme: Iced coffee with thyme adds a delicate earthiness to the drink. To enhance the flavour of your coffee, try mixing in a few fresh thyme leaves before you brew. Make the coffee as you normally would, then drain out the thyme and chill it in the fridge. Use ice for extended flavours.
To enjoy herb-infused iced coffee, simply brew your coffee using your preferred method and follow these steps:
Allow the brewed coffee to cool down to room temperature.
Add your chosen herb to the coffee directly to the cup or by placing it in a tea infuser.
Let the coffee and herb steep together for about 10-15 minutes.
Strain out the herb from the coffee using a fine-mesh strainer if needed.
Refrigerate the coffee until chilled.
Pour the infused coffee over ice and enjoy your refreshing and flavorful herb-infused iced coffee.