Fresh Mint Iced Coffee.
I have your Monday morning solution.
You know I love something when I recreate it a little over 24 hours after consumption.
It’s Monday. It’s weird. I’m sharing drink instead of food. I’m switching it up! Forcing myself out of the creative mehness.
Because pouring cream into coffee is sooooo creative.
But!
I’m going to serve you spring and summer in a glass. I SWEAR.
You’ll die. In a good way.
You guys. This is my new favorite thing out of all of the things. Iced coffee spiked with fresh mint vanilla-y syrup. It’s super duper fresh and wonderful and worthy of being sucked down in three seconds.
This past weekend I had a version in Kansas City and I could not stop thinking about it in the, you know, entire day after I drank it. I even thought about swinging by a second time to get another.
Just.so.divine.
Mint simple syrup wasn’t a new concept for me. I’ve made plenty of cocktails with it… blueberry mint juleps, triple berry mojitos, coconut mango mojitos, mint julep slushies – all sorts of delicious cocktaily things. (this clearly means you have things to do with the extras. Because MONDAY.)
But mint syrup in coffee? I was like WHAT.
It actually freaked me out at first. I loved the idea of it, the sound of it, but I couldn’t fathom the taste of it.
Plus, it was early.
Plus plus, I was that annoying customer who asked the girl behind the counter “if the mint iced coffee is really good?” Like what? Why would I even do that? Like she is going to say no, it sucks? I don’t know. I was vulnerable and needed reassurance.
I was also mildly freaked because over the holiday season, I ordered a peppermint mocha and was just so… over it. I’ve enjoyed them in the past but this year, not so much. I didn’t love the peppermint and coffee mixture. It tasted like toothpaste coffee.
Not a good look.
So anyway. I’m sure that was extremely relevant to your life today. #facepalm
Obviously, I ordered it.
Obviously, I loved it. But like, REALLY loved it. I mean, I know I’m annoying because I pretty much love anything. It drives Eddie crazy. But this was one of the things I really loved.
So much so that the minute I got off the plane, I immediately drove to the grocery store and bought myself a gorgeous bunch of organic fresh mint.
The only reason this was doable was because I happened to have some cold coffee already stuck in the fridge. Or, should I say, hidden back in the fridge so the man I live with wouldn’t throw a massive tantrum. I made it last week after I spent a good chunk of my Tuesday things complaining about my iced coffee dilemma – at invisible internet friend insistence of course. And! I also had some cute little cubes after dying over this post. I make coffee ice cubes a lot and then never use them. They sit in the freezer and ruin everything.
I have made the cold brew concentrate before – a few years ago when I was first trying to love coffee. I’ve even bought the Trader Joe’s version. And yes, if I add enough sugar and milk and junk, I like it. But I do really love the act of buying iced coffee out because I am a millennial and the destructive representation of our generation.
I never thought I’d be that person that wanted to get coffee daily but considering I so strongly forced it upon myself, I can’t be surprised. I didn’t even give myself an option.
And I’ve now become the person who just loves the idea and the act of drinking coffee. Even though it makes me feel like an insane person (about 85% of the time I do decaf) at times, I find the whole gist of it… relaxing.
Do you get me?
To love this, you do have to love fresh mint. It’s a different sort of mint though. It tastes nothing like artificial peppermint. To be ever so cliché and play right into the name, it does just taste FRESH. It adds a little kick to the coffee, but not an overwhelming toothpaste flavor. Thank you very much.
Would I drink it out of these little paper straws? Never. Have you ever tried to suck liquid through these things? Think soggy cardboard. It’s delightful. But they are cute as punch (is that a thing) and I’m a sucker.
I don’t really have any other words. But if you’re a fresh mint lovah… do it.
Fresh Mint Iced Coffee
Ingredients
cold brew concentrate
- 1/2 cup freshly ground coffee
- 2 cups cold water
- fresh mint syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 big bunch of fresh mint leaves, around 3/4 cup
- 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
for my perfect mint iced coffee
- coffee ice cubes, or, uh, plain ones!
- 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh mint syrup
- 8 ounces coffee concentrate
- 3 tablespoons milk, cream or sweetened condensed milk
- fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
cold brew concentrate
- To make the cold brew coffee concentrate, combine the ground coffee and water in a jar or bowl and stir well. Let it sit at room temperature for at least 8 hours or overnight. At this time, I usually also make some coffee ice cubes. I make a cup or two of coffee and allow it to cool slightly. Since I don’t love black coffee, I’ll stir in some milk (anything from cream to almond or coconut milk) then pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze overnight. You can obviously make a ton of these and store them for on demand use!
- The next morning, use a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to strain coffee concentrate, removing all the grinds. Store the cold coffee in a sealed jar in the fridge.
fresh mint syrup
- To make the mint simple syrup, add the water, sugar, mint leaves and vanilla beans (and empty pod) to a saucepan and heat over medium heat. Whisk constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil. Let it bubble for a minute or so, then reduce the heat and let it cool completely. I’ll usually put it in a bowl or jar, let it come to room temperature then stick it in the fridge overnight. In the morning (or before using), strain out the mint leaves and vanilla pod – or simply leave them in to continue flavoring the syrup. Keep sealed in the fridge for a week or so.
for my perfect mint iced coffee
- I like to use a mix of coffee ice cubes and regular old ice cubes – usually half and half. I’ll add them to the glass and pour the syrup overtop. Next goes the coffee concentrate and then I stir in the cream. Top it off with some fresh mint leaves and you’re good to go! Obviously this will differ based on your taste preferences, so find your favorite combo of the syrup and concentrate.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
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I mean…
217 Comments on “Fresh Mint Iced Coffee.”
I bet this is super refreshing and just has so much flavor and zing! I feel more awake just after reading this post! Gorgeous photos! I can seriously see every little ridge in the mint leaves and melty-ness on the ice cubes. So clear and sharp! pinned
I could kick myself- I almost bought fresh mint yesterday! I can’t wait to try this once I have mint growing like weeks in my yard!
I think serving up a coffee on a Monday morning is perfect! Everyone needs extra coffee on Mondays! Cheers!
I JUST finished my boring cup of coffee, and it’s early and I could use more AND I have mint. UM YES! Pinned!
Fresh mint is so refreshing, so pairing it with coffee is genius! What a great start to the day or mid- day pick me up.
This coffee would be so great for summer! I will have wait for December.. :)
Holy crap. YES to all of this1 Those photos! Damn girl.
Whoa whoa wee way this looks DIVINE! I need this right this second. I never thought of putting simple syrup in code, either (or mint!)—brilliant!
Toothpaste coffee – LOL!! I actually really like fresh mint, so this sounds perfect! I’m hoping to grow a bunch of herbs on my patio this summer, and am keeping my fingers crossed that I do a better job at keeping mint alive than I have done with basil in the past!
You are nuts. And I say that with the utmost respect. I’m surprised you didn’t just get up and photograph this on the plane ride yesterday. Meanwhile, I bought my burrito bowl and crashed on the couch.
Oh man, so yummy! I love the idea of adding fresh mint!
Mmmm…pretty! Excited to try this one!!
I am so in love with this iced coffee. Definitely wouldn’t have thought of it on my own, but it makes so much sense. Must make asap!
How interesting – mint and coffee! Sounds like an energizing blend. I’ve been meaning to try cold brew coffee, but haven’t gotten around to it. Thanks for the reminder!
Ohh, is that 2nd jar of coffee for me? I’ll be right over.
Ha, that was speedy! :) I’ve never even tried this at Latte Land, but I have some fresh mint at home. May just make a batch!
Delsih…I love mint creamer, so I’m definitely going to have to try this! One suggestion, though- have you tried making your cold brewed coffee in a french press? It’s so much easier to strain, so you’re not messing with strainers or cheesecloth. Either way, this recipe looks like a winner!
i have! i agree it’s awesome. but my big french press broke and i only have a single serve one at the moment. (which is never enough… )
I have broken quite a few French Presses and recently discovered they sell unbreakable ones on Amazon.com. The only thing is that there is such a high demand for them that you have to wait over two months for them to deliver it.
Also if you add sweetened condensed milk to your iced coffees along with any of the many flavored coffee creamers then it gives you a lot of variety.. You can also just add the SCM alone.
Love your pictures too!
I’ll take ten of these, please (badly in need of caffeine this morning) They look amazing! I wonder how the mint simple syrup would be in hot coffee?
would definitely work – they also had hot lattes, i just prefer iced!
How did you know I have a whole bunch of fresh mint to use?!
THIS LOOKS TOO GOOD. i need it to get warm here asap so i can crave some of the iced stuff.
Amazing. As soon as I saw this on Instagram, I thought “Oh I hope she makes this for the blog!” Love this idea and love the pictures. Also, i totally agree with you about the act of drinking coffee being relaxing. It’s very ritualistic to me. I feel off unless I have my daily cup, whether I really “need” it or not.
I’m so happy that this is not “toothpaste coffee.” Haha! So pretty, J! Do you deliver? ;)
for you, anytime!
So cute! I’m glad you found some inspiration in KC!
I must make this!!! How refreshing!!!
Mmmm I’ve honestly never eve heard of a mint coffee — I’m SO down though!! Sounds delish and seriously refreshing!
You post this on the very day I attempt to give up coffee. Are you trying to kill me lady?
I was at the grocery store yesterday and picked up some fresh mint and just stared at it trying to think of something I could use it for…but I couldn’t think of anything so I put it back. If only I had just bought it, I could be making this deliciousness!!
i just bought a fresh bunch of mint at the farmer’s market this weekend; now I know where it’s headed!
I making it NOW!!
You were in Kansas city?! Wish I would have run into you!
I might die if I don’t drink this this morning.
I’m a DIE hard coffee girl. And I always promised the universe that I wouldn’t be one of those people that has to BUY a coffee every day because I have like 4 different coffee makers and 2 espresso makers and WHY would I buy a coffee…and then I was buying them at Whole Foods and Starbucks (hello Gold Card status since 2008)…I looked at my bank account this month and practically had a heart attack! Where was my money?! So I told myself that this month I can’t buy any drinks while I’m out. None. Nothing green, no coffee…I’m dying.
Anyways, mint coffee fo’ life. Love love
Such a great idea! I’d never think to have mint coffee, but obviously that’s what Starbucks makes, right?
I LOVE this idea…I think that the peppermint syrup from starcbucks is horrid with coffee. This is a much better idea and I am always a sucker for fresh mint. I’mma have to make this decaf-style ASAP.
OMG, I die for all things mint. I must try this.
I was thinking about why we ask servers if certain things are good (b/c I do that, too) – and what I realized was that I’m looking for them to have an, “OMFG it’s SOOO GOOD!” reaction. If they go, “Yeah. It’s good.” Like, whatevs… then I know it’s okay. But if THEY love it, then it has to be good.
YES THIS.
Jessica! So great to meet you this weekend — and sorry we didn’t get to connect more! Next time :)
These photos are BEAUTIFUL — seriously, very inspiring for someone like me! Not to mention I’m going to have to go make this asap!
mary! it was wonderful meeting you! you are seriously the sweetest.
We love mint in every food!
http://inatrendytown.blogspot.com
I saw this on Instagram and knew you were in my city and enjoying one of my favorites! Glad to see some KC love :)
We love making cold press in the summer – I cannot wait to try this!!
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Man, I definitely need to put this on my short list for summer morning drinks! I love the idea of making flavored simple syrups for coffee instead of just cocktails. So good.
This might make you laugh but I’ve come across so many recipes that use vanilla beans… but where the heck do you find them? is there a substitution? Thanks so much :))
I adore Latteland-one of my favorite coffee shops in KC. It always reminds me of my college years there, and I love it! Also, I love fresh mint, which is a good thing since it grows like a weed. I am intrigued by the idea of a mint iced coffee…hmmmmm. Thanks for the fab idea!
No wonder you recreated this right away! This sounds like such an incredible combination. Can’t wait to try it!!
I’m in love with your photos, so bright! Also, this drink sounds amaaaazing!
Keep meaning to try cold brew! Once I saw the picture on instagram I was hoping you would make a recipe! I can’t really think of how it would taste, but it just sounds so fresh and interesting!
Looks soooo good! I’ve also made the mistake of drinking through a paper straw after it had been sitting in my smoothie for several minutes during a photo shoot. Yeah – lots of papery yuck. I’ll never do that again!
Reading your post I was asking the same question:”WHAT???” I am a coffee lover and a mint one too. But have always loved them separately. Could it be possible? Have to try it!
LOVE latte land. It’s one of my favorite coffee places in KC. It was so great meeting you at GBS. You totally inspired me. I can’t wait to try this version of Mint Iced Coffee.
I’m a huge coffee lover and I love to experiment with it, but the whole idea of mint in my coffee seems a bit odd to me. Still, these photos look amazing and you seem very convincing describing how much you love the combination (and you are aware of the toothpaste tasting option), so I’ll probably still give it a go.