Your manual to make iced coffee with a Keurig coffee maker
Making good coffee is an art form.
Whether you prefer espresso, drip, or the old-fashioned way, there is a method for getting the perfect cup of joe. But, what if you could get the same quality of Coffee without having to fuss with the process?
That's the idea behind Keurig and their single-serve coffeemaker. They've created an easy-to-use coffee maker that allows you to make a great cup of coffee (or any other drink for that matter) by simply pushing a button.
But, there is a problem. Their machines are expensive, difficult to clean, and they don’t allow you to make more than one cup of coffee at a time.
In this article, we'll discuss how you can use a simple trick to make iced coffee with a Keurig and discover how you can use this technique to make much more than just Coffee.
All About Keurig Coffee maker
The Keurig coffee maker is the perfect solution for the lazy person who doesn’t want to spend 10 minutes brewing a pot of coffee or for those who only need one breakfast cup during the day.
It's also great for people who work at home and need to brew up a cup after they come home from work.
The beauty of the Keurig is that it uses “K-cups”, which are small, single-serving containers of Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or even soup.
Fill these cups with Coffee or some other beverage and insert them into the machine. A Keurig brewer can make more than 200 K-cups at different times.
One of the main advantages of these systems is that you can adapt them to any drink that you want. So you can have different brews for each day of the week. Furthermore, they are effortless to use and maintain.
Make no mistake. Keurig is not the only single-serve coffee maker out there. You can find similar devices from other manufacturers at a lower price, but Keurig has become the biggest name in this category and is the one to beat.
Why have iced Coffee?
Coffee is delicious, but it’s also one of the most expensive drinks that you can buy. You can brew it using an espresso machine, or you can use a home brewer like Keurig. But you can also save money by brewing iced coffee.
Here are some of the reasons why you should have iced Coffee.
- It’s less expensive – You can use your regular container of ground coffee, but you don’t have to use as much as you would with the hot brew method. You’ll save at least 50% by using this method.
In addition, iced Coffee is less expensive than purchasing cups or pods designed explicitly for making iced coffee.
- It’s faster – Brewing a regular pot of Coffee takes longer than making an iced cup of java. However, you can have your cold drink in seconds, not minutes or hours.
- It’s more refreshing – There are few things more refreshing than a cold glass of Iced Coffee on a hot day. The flavour will be cleaner and crisper because the ice will naturally cool the drink.
- It’s more convenient – You can have your coffee any time you want it. It is not an option with the hot brew method. Also, drinking Coffee after work means picking up a cup on your way home, which may be difficult to keep in the car.
- It has more caffeine – Iced Coffee has more caffeine. You can’t get that with the hot brew method because heat dissipates the flavour of caffeine into the air.
Some people notice that hot Coffee loses flavour as it cools. So, you must use more Coffee to strengthen it. With iced coffee, you can use less coffee and enjoy a more pungent taste.
How to Make Iced Coffee with Keurig:
Making an iced coffee with Keurig is simple & effortless.
Ingredients:
- Delicious K-Cups
- Choice of cup size
- Water
- Ice
- Equipment:
- Keurig machine
- Large temperature-resistant cup
- Ice tray (optional)
Glass Beverage Holder (optional)
Make coffee ice (optional).
This step is optional but can make your cup of Iced Coffee stronger. So, brew a cup of Keurig coffee & let it cool.
Then, pour it into an ice cube tray and let it freeze for several hours. It'll help prevent your Coffee from becoming diluted by water when it gets cold.
Set up your Keurig.
Get your Keurig ready for some Iced Coffee. Attach your water reservoir and fill it with water. Make sure to check whether the brewer is on and brew size is set.
Fill your cup with ice and coffee grounds.
Place a large, temperature-resistant cup on top of your brewer and add ice to it (if you want). If you’re preparing a whole pitcher of iced coffee, put ice in every carafe cup.
If you're using a carafe, we recommend using the ice-brew setting.
Brew directly onto the ice.
Place your K-Cup into the brewer and brew directly onto the ice. Depending on the cup type, you need to place a coffee filter under it to stop any grounds from getting into your Iced Coffee.
Add cream and sugar (optional)
If you have some milk or creamer, then you can use them too. Then, after pressing the brew button, your Iced Coffee will be ready. Or else, you can use coffee syrup or sugar to sweeten your Coffee.
Enjoy your iced coffee!
Enjoy your cups of Coffee! If you want to make another one:
- Make another pitcher of water and fill the carafe again with ice & coffee grounds.
- Pour the carafe over it like before to make a second cup of iced coffee.
- Repeat this method as many times as desired for each brew size that you need.
How to Make Your Keurig Iced Coffee Stronger?
Iced Coffee has become very popular in recent years because of its strong taste and refreshing nature. However, the strength of your Coffee changes when you add ice to it.
So, if you want your iced coffee to be stronger than usual, you can make it at home instead of buying it at a convenience store or coffee shop. Here's how you can make your iced Coffee stronger:
Ingredients:
- One delicious K-Cup
- 12 ounces filtered water
- Coffee ice cubes or regular ice
EQUIPMENT
- Keurig machine
- Large temperature-resistant cup
- Ice tray (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Make coffee ice (optional).
This step is optional but can make your cup of Iced Coffee stronger. So, brew a cup of Keurig coffee & let it cool.
Then, pour it into an ice cube tray and let it freeze for several hours. It'll help prevent your Coffee from becoming diluted by water when it gets cold.
Add 12 ounces of water to your brewer.
Fill the reservoir with 12 ounces of cold water and place the water filter inside or fill your glass with filtered water. Then, fill your cup with coffee ice cubes and fill it with 12 ounces of filtered water.
Brew directly onto the ice.
Place your K-Cup into the brewer and brew directly onto the ice. Depending on the cup type, you may need to place a coffee filter under it to stop any grounds from getting into your Iced Coffee.
Enjoy your solid iced Coffee!
Enjoy your solid iced Coffee! Repeat this process as many times as desired for each brew size that you need.
Iced coffee Nutritional Facts:
Iced Coffee is an excellent addition to a healthy diet. Many health experts claim that it can improve your health and lose weight, especially when you add protein and certain nutrients such as protein powder. Here are some benefits of using ice coffee:
It is a good source of Magnesium.
This mineral helps regulate muscle function, blood pressure, and heart rate. Plus, it is responsible for assisting the bladder and kidneys to eliminate waste from the body and form bones and teeth.
It is also a necessary ingredient for metabolism, energy production, and the production of enzymes.
It is a good source of Potassium:
It regulates heart rate and blood pressure by controlling electrolyte balance in body tissues such as muscles and nerves. Furthermore, Potassium is responsible for maintaining healthy cells.
It is a good source of protein:
Protein is an essential nutrient in the diet since it helps in repairing damaged tissues in the body. It also supports optimal health in brain function, improvement of vision and the growth of body tissues, muscles, and organs.
It is a good source of Aids digestion:
Whenever you think about iced Coffee, you usually associate it with ice cubes, milk or creamers. Unfortunately, these items are high in fat, sugar and calories, which can be dangerous to your health.
If you want to avoid harmful ingredients, you should consider adding protein powder to them.
It is a good source of Antioxidants:
Antioxidants help maintain healthy cells in the body by protecting them from damages caused by free radicals (molecules created when food is burnt). Iced Coffee contains natural antioxidants that help protect the body against oxidative damage.
It can improve your metabolism:
One of the main factors responsible for weight gain is insulin resistance. A study done by Karen Lapsley, published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, showed that Iced Coffee could be beneficial for people with insulin resistance because it can stimulate metabolism and increase oxygen to cells in the body.
It also helps to improve glucose tolerance which helps control blood sugar levels in body tissues.
It can protect against heart disease:
Having a high intake of coffee and other caffeine products such as tea and chocolate is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
Coffee does contain caffeine, but it is not the only ingredient that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Caffeine can increase blood pressure, raise cholesterol levels and cause irregular heartbeat. It is why you should avoid drinking too much Coffee to maintain good health. However, an occasional cup of Iced Coffee will not harm you in any way.
It can curb appetite loss:
Iced Coffee is very healthy, but some people usually forget that this drink also contains calories. So, you should avoid drinking it when you are trying to lose weight.
However, if you want to lose weight, Iced Coffee is a good option since it contains calories but is not as high as other cravings.
It improves your memory:
Drinking Iced Coffee has been found helpful for improving memory by increasing blood flow to the brain. It is because it contains caffeine which is a powerful stimulant.
It can help you wake up:
Iced Coffee can stimulate the nervous system, making you feel more awake. However, drinking too much coffee may make you restless and jittery.
It contains a high amount of antioxidants:
The coffee powder contains phytonutrients, health-promoting compounds that help protect cells from damage by environmental carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals).
The phytonutrients in Coffee include flavonols, phenolic acids, and diterpenes. Another interesting fact is that phytonutmtrate can help treat osteoporosis.
It can improve oral health:
Drinking Iced Coffee helps to expose susceptible hard tissues, teeth, which are more prone to decay. In addition, it gives them the chance to respond poorly or are not able to fight off bacteria since they get exposed to volatile organic compounds found in coffee beans.
HOT TIPS FOR ICED COFFEE
MAKE COFFEE CUBES
Coffee cubes can add a great crunch to your iced coffee! Place two cups of ice into your brew basket, add the coffee grounds, and add 8oz of water.
Place the basket into your brewer and brew according to your usual process. Once the brew is complete, place the iced cubes into a tall glass.
BREW IN TWOS
For those who want iced Coffee and iced tea, I like to brew the iced Coffee first and then pour it into a pitcher. Then I brew the iced tea and add it to the Iced Coffee. This way you can enjoy both at the same time!
EASY ICE-ALTERNATIVES
Vanilla iced coffees, Mochas, Thai iced coffees, blended brews and almond macchiatos are just a few you can try! Place a scoop of ice cream into a tall glass and then fill it with your favourite brew – perfect for an iced latte!
VIETNAMESE ICED COFFEE
If espresso is a staple of your morning routine, take the next step up from traditional flavours by making a Vietnamese iced latte! Add sweetened condensed milk to your favourite espresso, and then add ice to the brew. Enjoy!
COLD-BREW
Mixing iced and hot coffee is a great way to keep both blends cold and enjoy them over ice! Just combine 1/2 cup of hot coffee with 1/2 cup of chilled iced Coffee. Enjoy your cold-brewed Coffee!
ICED OUT
Make milk iced Coffee and serve it in red wine glasses for a pretty presentation. Pour milk into a pitcher and then add 11/2 cups of brewed Coffee. Serve with ice and enjoy!
Which Keurig Is Best For Iced Coffee?
Some Keurig coffee makers are better suited to brewing iced Coffee than the others. The following are the best machines for making iced coffee at home based on our research and analyses.
- The Cuisinart CBM-18N single-cup brewing model is perfect for getting your daily dose of iced coffee. It is also great for hot drinks.
It makes excellent brews that are rich in flavour. In addition, this model comes with a basket to keep the coffee grounds from dripping all over.
- The company’s Keurig K85 Classic Edition coffee maker is a good choice for those who need a compact machine to store.
This model is very versatile and can brew other beverages besides Coffee as well as hot tea. It also comes with a basket for easy removal of ground coffee.
The brewing process is speedy and does not take too much time. This coffee maker is perfect for making iced coffee that comes out at a pleasant temperature. The machine is straightforward to use, and the instructions are intuitive.
- The Keurig K150 single-cup brewing machine is excellent for people who have a heavy coffee drinking habit. Just add your favourite beverage and let this professional coffee machine do the rest.
It can brew a wide variety of drinks besides hot or iced Coffee so choose accordingly.
The device has a lot of features that make it user-friendly and easy to use. It also includes several accessories like the brew basket for easy removal of the coffee grounds.
This model is engineered to make iced coffee that comes out at a perfect temperature. So your iced Coffee will be great tasting without any unwanted watered-down flavour.
This single-cup brewer is great for those who live in small spaces. It has an adjustable height setting that allows you to store it under your kitchen cabinets when not in use.
The machine is very well designed and will enable you to choose your flavour profiles according to your taste preferences. The coffee maker comes with a brew basket that ensures a quick and effortless removal process of coffee grounds.
This model is perfect for iced coffee. However, it does not have a great water temperature control mechanism.
Conclusion:
There are different flavours of Coffee in the market. The best coffee brewing method to use to get the most benefits is using a Keurig coffee maker.
Since it uses K-Cups, Coffee will taste the same every time you brew it since each K-Cup contains the same amount of coffee powder.
Other coffee makers use flat disc filters that can catch grounds and cannot be brewed into your cup.
Nobody knows the effects for someone who drinks iced Coffee daily, but they will likely improve their health in some way or another. So, Iced Coffee is a healthy drink and can be used daily by many people.
