The Difference between Iced Coffee, Cold Brew, and Frappe coffee
On the hottest summer days, only cold or iced drinks sound appealing. But if you’re a caffeine-addict you need to find a way to refresh yourself and not miss out on the energy boost a cup of coffee can bring. But should you choose iced coffee, Frappe, or cold brew? And what’s the difference between these drinks?
The main difference between iced coffee, cold brew, and frappe is how each drink is prepared. So, let’s take a look at each one in turn:
At a Glance: what’s the difference between them?
Cold-brew
is a type of cold coffee made by steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in room-temperature water or cold water for twenty-four hours.
Iced coffee
is made using regular hot coffee that has been poured over ice. Most often this is espresso, but could also be filter coffee too.
A frappe
(pronounced frap-pay) is an iced beverage that has been blended to produce a tasty, foamy, and refreshing drink. It is served cold, often with whipped cream and toppings.
Brewing Method: How Are They Made?
What exactly is happening in each of these brewing methods, and how do they result in different flavours and experiences for the drinker? Differences in time and temperature affect the final cup of coffee.
Cold-brew
is a lengthy steeping method, lasting anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Because you’re leaving the coffee grounds in the water for so long, you want them to be coarsely ground. If you grind them too finely, you could end up over-extracting the beans, resulting in bitter coffee. You can also simply remove the coffee grounds. The brew will be denser at the bottom so take care to stir before serving. It can be drunk as it is straight out of the fridge or served with ice. For a full run-down, take a look at our cold brew guide.
Iced coffee
is made much more quickly, usually in just a few minutes. If you have a home-espresso machine all you really need to do is pour a double espresso shot over a glass of ice (add cold water too if you’d prefer it a bit smoother. If you drink your coffee with milk, or prefer it sweeter you can add milk, sugar, or syrups to the glass too. If you’re using brewed coffee instead of espresso; a great tip is to use ice made from frozen coffee, to prevent your drink from being too diluted.
A frappe
can be made with a cocktail shaker in a pinch but more commonly, with a blender. Frappes are generally sweeter, and more often flavoured than cold brew or iced coffee. You can make a frappe with pretty much any type of coffee, even instant. But the best way of getting the desired depth of flavour (to counteract some of the traditional sweetness) is with a double espresso. In a blender add 180ml of milk, a tsp of sugar, a handful of ice and your coffee. You may want to replace the sugar for a flavoured syrup of even some frappe powder. Next blend until the ice is chipped and the ingredients are completely combined.
Flavour: What Do They Taste Like?
Cold-brew
- It turns out that heat tends to pull some of the most intense and aromatic chemicals out of coffee beans, which translates into the characteristically bold taste of hot-brewed coffee. Because cold brew is made with cool water, it tastes slightly sweeter, a bit milder, and less acidic than your average iced Joe. Though the aroma and flavour will be less intense, they won't change dramatically over time like hot coffee. So you can drink it the next day, and the next day, and it will taste just as fresh.
Iced brew
We're guessing you're probably at least a little familiar with this brew. But in case you need a refresher, iced coffee tends to be light, refreshing, and a little more acidic—though this will depend on the beans at play and how well the person brewing knows how to do it.
Frappe coffee
More of a milkshake than a coffee, the Frappe is rich and creamy with minimal bitterness. A frappe’s texture will be thicker and creamier than that of a latte, not to mention much colder.
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