Summer is quickly approaching. That means temperatures will be hotter than our coffee! Fortunately, there are a variety of delicious frozen coffee recipes to satisfy all cravings. These cold and refreshing drinks both boost our energy and cool us down.
From frappes to granitas, several frozen coffee concoctions exist across the world. This bountiful variety gives us different and exciting ways to enjoy coffee even on the hottest of days. There are flavors for all different palettes and diets. Let’s travel and discover the best frozen coffee recipes inspired by beautiful places all over the world!
Cuba:
Frozen Cafe con Leche
The classic cafe con leche can also make for a truly delicious coffee shake. The coffee style originated in Spain. It simply means ‘coffee with milk.’ Over time, Spanish traditions traveled to Latin America. Cuba developed a strong coffee culture featuring cafe con leche. Yet, Cubans put a twist on the cafe con leche by using evaporated milk rather than regular milk. This gives the coffee a more creamy caramelized flavor. This recipe takes a cool spin on the Cuban cafe con leche.
Servings: 2
What you’ll need:
- 8 ounces of brewed moka pot coffee or 3-4 shots of espresso
- Ground dark roast coffee
- ¾ cup of evaporated milk
- ¼ cup sugar (or sweetener of choice)
- 1 cup of ice
Method:
- Prepare coffee as desired
- While coffee is brewing, measure evaporated milk and pour into blender
- Measure the sugar in a large mug or measuring cup. Add about a tablespoon or two of the freshly brewed coffee into the sugar. Mix well until it forms a paste.
- Add the rest of the coffee and stir gently. Take a moment to smell the sugar caramelizing!
- You should now be left with a foamy coffee. Once this cools slightly, add it to the blender.
- Add in ice to the blender. Blend until desired consistency is reached. Taste to adjust sweetness and texture.
- Pour into mason jars and serve!
Argentina:
Dulce de Leche Frappe
This is an ideal coffee for dessert! Dulce de leche is very similar to caramel, but with a milk base. Its gorgeous toasted brown color and caramelized aroma are irresistible. Dulce de leche is said to be invented in Argentina. However, it is ubiquitous across Latin America. It is most commonly added to a variety of desserts, from tarts to cookies. Adding dulce de leche to coffee makes for a perfect treat when the hot weather is overwhelming.
Servings: 2
What you’ll need:
- 2 shots of espresso
- ¼ cup dulce de leche (plus a tablespoon for drizzling)
- ½ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup of cream
- 2.5 cups ice
- Whipped cream (optional)
Method:
- Brew espresso shots and set aside
- Measure all ingredients and add them to the blender. Blend everything on medium speed until smooth.
- Pour into glassware of choice. Add whipped cream if desired and drizzle caramel.
- Enjoy!
Italy:
Sicilian granita (with fresh whipped cream)
This is a special icy treat that is actually enjoyed for breakfast! In Sicily, the granita is a sign of summer’s arrival. Many Sicilian coffee bars serve them often with brioche, or sweet bun, on the side. Granitas can be prepared with a variety of ingredients. The most popular are almonds and coffee. This coffee granita is an absolute classic. It can be made ahead as well. This makes it a fantastic treat to share with friends and family after a lovely summer barbecue.
Servings: 4
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup of espresso (room temperature)
- 1 cup of water
- ⅓ cup of sugar
- 1.5 teaspoon of almond extract (vanilla works as well)
- Whipped cream
Method:
- Place water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar completely dissolves.
- Once sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and stir in extract.
- Then, add the coffee. Transfer the mixture to a freezer-proof dish. Let cool in the fridge or on the countertop.
- Once the dish is cooled, place it in the freezer for at least 1-2 hours. This allows time for the mixture to begin to freeze.
- Break up ice crystals in a dish. Continue this process every hour until the granita forms (there is no longer any liquid)
- Serve in glasses with a generous whipped cream topping (and cocoa dust if you like!)
Crema di caffe (Italian Coffee Cream)
This delicious concoction is almost as if soft serve and Italian espresso created a child. The velvety texture of crema di caffe makes it an iconic summer treat in Italian coffee bars and beach bars. The primary bitter ingredient of rich coffee in this Italian frozen treat less sweet than ice cream. The coffee smoothly balances out the sweetness of the sugar and cream. The condensed size of the crema di caffe also makes it a compact and quick treat for any time of day.
Servings: 4
What you’ll need:
- ⅔ cup moka pot coffee or 3 shots of espresso
- ¼ cup of sugar
- ½ cup of cream
- Cocoa powder and/or chocolate-covered espresso beans
Method:
- Brew moka or espresso coffee
- While coffee is brewing, measure sugar in a large bowl
- Add fresh hot coffee to sugar and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Keep stirring
- Once the coffee and sugar mixture becomes foamy, add cream.
- Using an electric mixer, whip the ingredients until the mixture is thick and creamy. This can be done by hand, but an electric mixer makes it much faster.
- Serve in small tumbler glasses with cocoa powder or chocolate-covered espresso beans as a garnish!
India:
Golden Milk Frozen Latte
This now trendy beverage originates from India. Golden milk is an interpretation of haldi doodh, or turmeric milk in Hindi. This bright colored drink is soothingly aromatic and mildly sweet. It is prized for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, particularly coming from the turmeric. Traditionally, golden milk is enjoyed like tea. In this recipe, we incorporate espresso for an extra boost. This also makes it more like a traditional latte. We go the extra mile by making a frozen twist on the revitalizing golden milk. And, this recipe can be made vegan if you like as well!
Servings: 2
What you’ll need:
- 2 shots of espresso
- 2 cups of whole milk (oat, coconut, or almond milk work as well!)
- 1.5 tablespoons of raw honey (or cane sugar)
- 2.5 teaspoons of ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon of ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon of clove
- Pinch of ground ginger
- 1 cup of ice
Method:
- Brew espresso, leave
- Mix all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Bring all ingredients to a boil, stirring to make sure honey is dissolved
- Remove from heat. Allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes
- Combine espresso and golden milk in a blender, along with the ice
- Blend until smooth and creamy
- Serve with a dash of cinnamon or turmeric on top!
Mexico:
Frozen Spicy Mexican Mocha
Who knew a mocha could be even tastier? Well, chocolate and coffee make for a pretty delicious combination! Cacao beans are native to Mexico, incorporated into recipes for generations. This spin on a traditional mocha latte with Mexican inspired spicy chocolate is a special treat. The addition of cayenne provides a bit of a kick along with a nice boost of vitamin A. Let’s spice up our mocha game!
Servings: 2
What you’ll need:
- 3 shots of espresso
- 1 cup of milk
- ¼ cup sweetener (we suggest honey or cane sugar)
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
- ½ cup of water
- 2 cups ice
- Whipped cream (optional)
Method:
- Brew espresso; set aside
- Whisk together water and sweetener in small saucepan over medium heat
- Add in cocoa and spices. Continue to stir until smooth. Once mixture thickens to a syrup, remove from heat.
- Mix in espresso. Let the mixture cool for 10 minutes.
- Combine all ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth. Taste for desired sweetness and spiciness.
- Serve in glass or mason jars with whipped cream and cocoa dust!
America:
Dirty Chai Latte Frappe
The chai latte is universally loved. Although the origins of chai spices are from India and Central Asia, the customary coffee shop chai latte evolved in America. Nonetheless, the hankering for a bit more caffeine gave birth to the dirty chai. It gets the name dirty chai from the additional espresso shot. This darkens the milky chai mixture, making it look murky. Despite this, it is fragrant and incredibly tasty! A dirty chai latte is a fabulous caffeine kick that is even more energizing as a frappe!
Servings: 2
What you’ll need:
- 3 chai tea bags
- 2 shots of espresso
- ½ cup of milk (whole milk or oat milk is recommended)
- 3-4 tablespoons of honey (cane sugar or maple syrup work as well)
- 2 cups of ice
Method:
- Cover and steep tea bags in a ½ cup of hot water for 6 minutes. Once steeped, place tea aside to cool to room temperature
- Brew two shots of espresso; set aside
- Whisk milk and honey together. Carefully stir in chai tea.
- Pour all ingredients into the blender. Blend until creamy smooth.
- Garnish with cinnamon and/or nutmeg
