There is such a thing as watered-down iced coffee. Not anymore though!
Seeing as I double as a Buff Boy and a foodie, this seemed like an easy hack to figure out.
I've seen those reuseable plastic ice cubes that look like dice. You throw them in the freezer for a few hours, the liquid inside freezes, then you pop them into your drink without watering down the beverage. They're fine, but they're a bitch to clean (just rinse? Nah, you need soap, too) and how safe are the plastics they use?
How often have you ordered an iced coffee somewhere and it's more ice than coffee? (Same thing at fast-food restaurants with your drink: strain the glass and it's three-quarters ice and barely any overpriced Pepsi.)
For years, I tolerated it, but then I stumbled upon a simple, yet utterly brilliant solution that has fundamentally changed my iced coffee experience: coffee ice cubes. And let me tell you, using our rich blends elevates this trick from good to genuinely game-changing.
The concept is deceptively simple. Instead of using water-based ice that inevitably dilutes your drink, why not use ice made from coffee itself? This way, as the cubes melt, they don't weaken your brew; they intensify it. It’s a revelation! Every drop of melted ice just adds more delicious coffee flavor, ensuring your last sip is as robust and satisfying as your first.
For me, the key to truly exceptional coffee ice cubes lies in the quality of the coffee I use: ours!Our collection has bold and nuanced profiles that are perfect for this. The beans brew up a strong, flavorful coffee that stands up beautifully to freezing and then slowly releasing its essence into your drink. I particularly love using darker roasts for the cubes, as they provide an extra layer of depth to my iced concoctions.
Here's how I make them, and trust me, it’s hardly a "recipe" in the traditional sense, but rather a simple, smart habit:
Brew Your Buff Boy Coffee: Whether you’ve got a little leftover from your morning pot or you intentionally brew an extra strong batch, use your favorite Buff blend. I often brew it a little stronger than usual when I know I'm making cubes, as this concentrates the flavor even more.
Cool It Down: This is crucial! Never pour hot coffee into ice cube trays, as it can damage the trays and won't freeze efficiently. Let your brewed Buff cool completely to room temperature.
Pour and Freeze: Carefully pour the cooled coffee into standard ice cube trays. Don't overfill them! Place the trays in your freezer until the cubes are completely solid, which usually takes a few hours.
Store for Convenience: Once frozen, I pop the coffee cubes out of their trays and store them in an airtight freezer bag or container. This prevents them from absorbing any unwanted freezer odors and makes them super easy to grab whenever the craving for iced coffee strikes.
How I Use My Coffee Cubes
The beauty of Buff cubes is their versatility. I add them to my cold brew, my freshly brewed iced coffee, or even just a glass of milk for an instant, chilled coffee boost. As they slowly melt, they transform into a rich, undiluted coffee essence, creating an incredible iced coffee experience that stays flavorful right to the bottom of the glass.
If you’re tired of watered-down iced coffee, I urge you to try this simple hack. Grab your fave Buff coffee, brew a batch and freeze it. Your iced coffee experience will never be the same!