Nov 08, 2024

How to Make AeroPress Iced Coffee: A Detailed Guide

The AeroPress is a versatile and popular coffee brewer, beloved for its simplicity, portability, and ability to create a variety of coffee styles. One of its best uses, especially in warmer months, is to make a quick, flavorful iced coffee. Unlike traditional cold brew methods that take hours, an AeroPress can produce a refreshing iced coffee in just a few minutes. This guide will take you through a step-by-step process to make the perfect AeroPress iced coffee.

Equipment and Ingredients

To brew AeroPress iced coffee, you'll need the following:

Equipment:

AeroPress (with plunger, chamber, and filter cap)
Paper filter (or a metal mesh filter, depending on your preference)
Coffee grinder (if using whole beans)
Kettle (for heating water)
Digital scale (optional but helpful for accuracy)
Stirring tool (AeroPress stirrer or spoon)
Timer (smartphone or timer app works well)
Glass or cup filled with ice
Pouring vessel (optional)

Ingredients:

Coffee beans: 17-18 grams of medium to fine ground coffee (about 3 tablespoons)
Water: 200 grams (7 ounces) of hot water (about 85°C to 90°C / 185°F to 195°F)
Ice: 100-150 grams of ice (roughly a full glass of ice cubes)

Step-by-Step Guide to AeroPress Iced Coffee

1. Prepare Your Coffee

Grind your coffee beans: Use about 17-18 grams of coffee (around 3 tablespoons) and grind them to a medium-fine consistency, similar to table salt. If you don’t have a grinder, you can use pre-ground coffee, but for the best flavor, fresh grinding is ideal.

2. Assemble the AeroPress

Insert the paper filter into the filter cap of the AeroPress. If using a paper filter, rinse it with hot water to remove any papery taste. This also helps warm up your equipment.
Attach the filter cap to the AeroPress chamber and place it over a sturdy mug or glass that you’ll use to brew into.

3. Pre-Weigh and Prepare Your Ice

Fill a separate glass with 100-150 grams (about a full glass) of ice. The amount of ice you use depends on how strong or diluted you like your iced coffee. More ice will result in a slightly lighter brew as it melts.
Set the glass with ice aside.

4. Add Coffee Grounds to the AeroPress

Pour the ground coffee into the AeroPress chamber, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.

5. Boil Water and Let It Cool Slightly

Heat your water to 85°C to 90°C (185°F to 195°F). You can do this by boiling water and letting it cool for about 30 seconds to a minute.
Measure out 200 grams (7 ounces) of water. Using a scale for this step will give you precise results, but you can estimate it as well.

6. Pour Hot Water Over Coffee

Begin the brewing process by pouring the hot water into the AeroPress chamber, starting the timer as soon as you begin pouring. Pour until the chamber is filled to about the "2" marking (about 200 grams or 7 ounces of water).
Stir the mixture gently for about 10-15 seconds to make sure the coffee grounds are fully saturated.

7. Brew and Steep

Insert the AeroPress plunger into the chamber, just enough to create an airtight seal (this prevents the coffee from dripping through before you’re ready to press).
Let the coffee steep for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. This short brew time helps retain the bright, refreshing flavors of the coffee while preventing over-extraction, which can lead to bitterness.

8. Press the Coffee

After the desired steeping time, press the plunger down slowly and steadily over the course of 20-30 seconds. Use consistent pressure, stopping once you hear a hissing sound. This ensures that all the liquid is extracted without pressing too hard on the grounds.
The brewed coffee will be concentrated, similar to a strong espresso shot.

9. Pour Coffee Over Ice

Immediately pour the hot coffee concentrate over the glass filled with ice. The ice will rapidly cool the coffee while also diluting it to the perfect strength for iced coffee.

10. Stir and Serve

Stir the iced coffee briefly to combine the melted ice and brewed coffee. If you prefer, you can add more ice at this stage to keep the drink cold.
Optionally, you can add sweeteners or milk to taste, though the clean and bright flavor of AeroPress iced coffee often shines on its own.

Optional Tips and Variations

Inverted Method for AeroPress Iced Coffee:
If you prefer a little more control over the steeping process, you can use the inverted method:
- Assemble the AeroPress upside down, with the plunger on the bottom and the open chamber on top.
- Add coffee grounds and water, and stir.
- Let it steep, then attach the filter cap and carefully flip the AeroPress over your mug to press the coffee.
Adjust Brew Strength:
For a stronger iced coffee, use a coarser grind, slightly increase the coffee-to-water ratio, or steep the coffee for a bit longer. For a lighter brew, use a finer grind or shorten the steeping time.
Cold Bloom:
To introduce more complexity into the coffee, you can try a “cold bloom” technique. Pour a small amount of cold water (30-40 grams) over the grounds before adding hot water, and let it bloom for about 30 seconds before continuing the brewing process.
Sweeten the Brew:
If you prefer a slightly sweeter iced coffee, add a teaspoon of simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water) after brewing. The syrup will mix in seamlessly without needing to stir excessively.
Milk or Alternative Creamers:
For a creamier version, you can add a splash of milk, almond milk, oat milk, or cream once the coffee is poured over ice. This adds a layer of richness to your iced coffee.

Conclusion

The AeroPress is an excellent tool for making iced coffee, allowing for a quick, refreshing, and flavorful brew without the need for hours of cold brewing. This method takes advantage of the AeroPress’s versatility, extracting the bright and clean flavors of coffee in just a few minutes. Whether you enjoy your iced coffee black or prefer adding milk and sweeteners, this recipe is easy to customize to your taste. With a few simple steps, you’ll have a perfectly brewed, ice-cold coffee ready to enjoy on a hot day.