Each year, the first warm days remind us that it’s time to switch from cappuccino to cooler beverages. Indeed, even avid coffee lovers don’t want to drink hot coffee on a hot day. We cannot stand the feeling that the temperature inside our bodies is getting higher than outside. My favorite summer drink is espresso tonic. I love it for its mild taste and a balance of sour, sweet, and bitter.
Even people who don’t like pure black coffee buy this drink because of its unobtrusive nature. In addition, its sweetness can be controlled, and it is suitable for those who don’t consume milk. To make cold coffee, you need a shot of espresso, ice, tonic up to your taste, and possibly syrup.
You can brew coffee using any convenient method because you’ll only feel its mild bitterness in the espresso tonic. The coffee richness is important because a too diluted drink won’t let you achieve the desired taste balance. If you want to make a sweet drink, then it is time to add caramel syrup or honey while the coffee is still hot. Let it cool.
Simultaneously, put several ice cubes in a clean glass. Note that they start melting over time and may dilute the taste of the drink. So, 4 or 5 cubes will be enough. Pour tonic into the glass. I prefer either classic or grapefruit one. In fact, you can experiment with various tastes and even water. Soda or mineral water will make the taste barely perceptible, while drinks similar to Coca-Cola will make it too sweet and pronounced. The best option is to use classic tonic since it is not sweet and has a familiar flavor.
When the coffee is cool, you can pour it into the glass with a tonic. It is important to keep to this procedure because if you pour tonic into espresso, it may cause a bubbly reaction. As a result, the beverage will look unattractive and will have bitter foam. Pour coffee slowly with the help of a spoon. The drink will have amazing layers that look attractive while being stirred.
To make cold coffee for several people, you can prepare the ingredients in advance. Cover ground coffee with cold water and leave it overnight. The next morning, filter it through a French press or a cloth. This will be a kind of concentrate that can be used as a basic component for various cold drinks.
Cold coffee beverages have a big advantage: besides being refreshing, they are hard to spoil. Additives such as milk, syrup, soda, or juices make the coffee taste less intense. Even if you make this drink at home, it is more likely to taste good. But there is also one drawback: it is so delicious that one beverage won’t be enough.