Icy poles are a delicious and easy snack to make at home, perfect for a warm day! But why not try making them with cold brew?
When you make them yourself, you save money, can customize flavours and the amount of sugar, as well as knowing exactly which ingredients have been used. If you make the icy poles in advance and keep them in the freezer for later use, you can bring out a quick and delicious treat on a hot summer day.
WHICH COFFEE IS BEST TO USE IN MY ICY POLES
When it comes to coffee, cold brew should be your go-to! It’s easy to make at home though you can also buy a ready-made batch, like our CFTP cold brew coffee.
Cold brew is great to use in baking and iced goods such as ice cream and icy poles as it isn’t as bitter so goes well in sweets.
However, espresso is also a great option for those that want a coffee drink that is similar to the flavour of cold brew with a bitter kick – though it won’t have the same clean flavour.
WHAT IS COLD BREW?
Cold brew coffee is becoming increasingly popular due to its smooth taste. Cold brew is made by steeping coffee beans in cold water rather than hot, which results in a less acidic, less bitter, and more full-bodied cup of coffee. Some people think cold brew is the best way to make coffee, and it’s definitely worth trying if you haven’t already!
If you’re looking for a way to save time and money, cold brew is a great option! It takes a little while to make, but you can make a big batch that will last you the whole week. That means you won’t have to brew coffee every morning or buy a coffee at the local coffee shop, which can be a huge time-saver!
COLD BREW USED TO FLAVOUR ICY POLES
There are many benefits to using cold brew in icy poles. Cold brew coffee takes 10-24 hours to make, which allows for a more robust flavour.
Cold water also makes the coffee less acidic, so the bitter coffee taste is less prominent. This means you can drink it without having to add sugar or other sweeteners, great for those that are monitoring their sugar or calorie intake. Icy poles made with cold brew are not only refreshing, but they’re also a more affordable option when compared to store bought icy poles.
When you consider the benefits of cold brew it’s a delicious and guilt-free way to enjoy a refreshing treat!
MAKING COLD BREW AT HOME
Ingredients:
+ 1 cup coffee grinds
+ 4 cups cold water (preferably filtered)
+ Bowl or measuring jug
+ Coffee filter
Method:
+ Gather all of your ingredients.
+ Grind the coffee beans of your choosing into a medium consistency with a coffee grinder.
+ The ratio should be approximately 1:4 so for example, one cup of coffee grounds to 4 cups of water. If you prefer your coffee to be weaker then you can increase the water ratio or dilute the cold brew once the process is complete (discussed below).
+ Place your coffee grounds and filtered water into a container, bowl or measuring jug (whichever you have on hand). This will be where the coffee will steep to develop that depth of flavour.
+ Leave your container on the kitchen bench to steep overnight for at least 12 hours. If you would like a stronger brew then you can steep the coffee grinds for longer, anywhere up to 24 hours. Experiment and see which strength of cold brew is best for you.
+ Once you have steeped your coffee overnight, it is time to strain it. A coffee strainer is recommended though you can also use a nut milk bag if you don’t have a coffee filter. They will both do the job. This step makes sure that there are no coffee grounds floating in the brew and gives it a much smoother mouth feel.
+ Finally, once your cold brew is strained and ready to be used, you can dilute it if needed. Add anywhere up to 50% water to the cold brew if you find it too strong. After it has been strained, it needs to be refrigerated. It can be kept in the refrigerator for 14 days.
SIMPLY DELICIOUS COLD BREW COFFEE ICY POLE RECIPE
EQUIPMENT NEEDED AT HOME
+ Whisk
+ Bowl
+ Icy pole moulds
RECIPE
Ingredients:
+ 1 cup cold brew
+ ½ cup milk of your choice (try almond, oat, whole milk or even chocolate milk for a mocha flavour)
+ Sugar syrup to taste (just mix 1tbs of sugar with 1-2tbs of hot water in a small bowl or mug and stir until sugar is dissolved).
Method:
+ Gather all relevant ingredients and equipment.
+ Place the ingredients all together in a bowl.
+ Whisk together the coffee, milk, and sugar syrup.
+ Taste and adjust ingredients. If you want to decrease the strong taste of coffee, add more sugar syrup or milk. If you want a stronger coffee taste then you’ll want to add more cold brew.
+ Pour your mixture into the icy pole moulds.
+ Freeze until firm.
+ Once frozen, run the mould under some warm water, this will help you to easily remove the icy pole from the mould.
+ Then enjoy!!
HOW LONG DO THEY NEED TO BE IN THE FREEZER FOR?
As not all icy pole moulds are made the same, you might have to experiment with the time needed to freeze them. It is recommended to leave moulds in the freezer for a minimum of 6 hours. The time it takes for the moulds to freeze will vary depending on the size of the moulds and the freezer temperature.
To ensure that the moulds are frozen all the way through, it’s best to leave them in the freezer overnight. This way, in the morning, you can enjoy icy poles!
WHAT CAN I USE AS A SWEETENER IN MY ICY POLES?
There are a few factors that you should consider when choosing the right sweetener to use in your icy poles. The main factor is how you want your icy pole to taste, you should choose a sweetener that will balance the flavours, rather than overpowering them.
A great option is to use condensed milk, which is a sweet and milky substance that will make your icy poles extra creamy and tasty. Sugar syrup, honey and maple syrup are also popular choices, but it’s really just up to you, so experiment to find your perfect flavour! The possibilities are endless!
POSSIBLE COFFEE ICY POLE FLAVOURING
Icy poles are a fantastic treat to cool down during summer and are always a hit on a hot day. They are versatile and easy to make. You can try to make your favourite flavours and different combinations to make an interesting, tasty treat!
You can make almost any type of coffee into an icy pole whether it be, a latte, Vietnamese coffee or even mocha.
Adding flavoured syrups is a fun way to add sweetness, try vanilla or hazelnut syrup. You could also add a liqueur like Kahlua or baileys. Feel free to add extra garnishings like almonds or choc chips if you like different textures through your icy poles.
Like this recipe? Check out some of our other cold brew recipes like; Iced Latte Recipe, Black Russian Cocktail Recipe, White Russian Cocktail Recipe, Chocolate Coffee Mug Muffin and Coffee Protein Balls.
