You’ve returned home from the coffee shop, but now that you’re back, you don’t fancy finishing the iced coffee you got while you were there.
So, what are your options?
We delve into how long you can keep iced coffee in the fridge and other options for long-lasting, fresh, and cold coffee you can make quickly and easily at home.
How Long Does Iced Coffee Last in the Fridge?
Most iced coffee will be good for three days when stored in the fridge. This is mainly not about the coffee itself but the perishability of other additives like milk, cream, sugars, or syrups.
If you are among the one in five of us who like your coffee black, you can usually get four days to a full week out of your iced coffee before it goes bad.
However, there’s one instance where storing your coffee in the fridge will not provide you with additional time to drink it — if it has already reached room temperature.
If this is the case, it’s already started to reach the point where it is unsafe to consume because the milk may start to spoil.
How Do I Know If My Iced Coffee Has Gone Bad?
If you follow the maximum storage durations above, your iced coffee should still be good to go.
However, if you have doubts, here are some ways to figure out if it has gone bad:
- Visual clues — If the iced coffee has signs of mold on it, then it has definitely gone bad. You should not consume it, so make sure to dispose of it right away. Additionally, if the iced coffee has changed color or the texture has altered slightly, then it's probably started to turn.
- Smell — If you give your iced coffee a sniff and it smells sour, that's a sign that the milk in it has expired. The older coffee gets, the less aroma it has, too, so if your coffee doesn't have the signature coffee smell, it's likely not good to drink.
- Taste — You’ll usually know when something tastes off, so listen to your gut if it doesn’t seem right. Overly bitter or metallic tastes can also be a sign that your iced coffee has gone bad.
How Can I Make Iced Coffee Last Longer?
If you are having trouble getting your iced coffee to stay fresh in the fridge for up to three days, there are some practical tips you can use to prolong its life as long as possible.
Best practices for maximizing iced coffee freshness:
Fresh Coffee
If you are preparing your iced coffee at home, make sure to use freshly roasted and ground beans for maximum flavor and to compensate for any taste and aroma that is naturally lost from being stored in the fridge.
Remove Leftover Ice Cubes
The coffee will get cold when placed in the fridge, and any remaining ice cubes will dilute your drink, weakening the flavor and intensity of the brew.
Opt For Black Coffee
Black coffee without any additives will always fare better than those with things like milk and sugar. If you are making iced coffee in advance, refrain from adding anything to it until you are ready to serve it.
Keep the Air Out
The less oxygen that can get through to your iced coffee, the longer it will retain its freshness.
But, if you want a truly long-lasting cold coffee, then we have some alternatives for you. Keep reading to learn more.
Cold Brew Coffee as an Alternative
Cold brew coffee typically lasts longer than iced coffee on average. This is because iced coffee is made using hot, brewed coffee from an espresso machine or drip coffee maker, while cold brew stays at a low temperature throughout the brewing process. This keeps the coffee much more stable as it doesn’t have to deal with spikes in temperature.
Cold brew typically lasts in the fridge anywhere from 7 to 10 days; however, if it's stored properly, it may last up to two weeks without going bad. Oxidation is one of the main factors that causes coffee to become stale, so an airtight container is essential for maximum freshness and flavor.
Here’s a quick how-to on making cold brew:
- Freshly grind your coffee beans — A strong, flavorful coffee works well, like our Sai Gon OG blend.
- Add your ground coffee to cold water — A glass jug with a lid or a mason jar works well. Use a ratio of six parts water to one part coffee grounds.
- Cover — Don't be tempted to stir the coffee, but instead, cover it and leave it to infuse for 24 hours.
- Strain — Use a strainer to remove the coffee grounds and transfer the cold brew to an airtight container to store in the fridge.
If you wish to, you can add a higher ratio of coffee grounds to the mixture to create a cold brew concentrate that can be diluted with cold or hot water. Conversely, increasing the ratio of water will result in a lighter cold brew if that’s more to your preference.
For more detailed information, check out our cold brew brewing guide.
Coffee Ice Cubes as an Alternative
Another way to enjoy iced coffee quickly and easily is to make it using coffee ice cubes. Instead of ice cubes made from water, making them from espresso helps to keep the coffee strong and not dilute it as the ice melts.
Making iced coffee in this way is pretty simple — just add your coffee ice cubes to your glass, leave for a few minutes so they start to melt, and then add milk and your other coffee additives to taste.
Another fun way of using coffee ice cubes is to add them with the milk to a blender, creating a thicker, frostier cup.
Coffee ice cubes can be stored in the freezer and used whenever you need them, although it is best to use them in two to three weeks for peak freshness.
Using Cafely Instant Coffee for Iced Coffee
For a quick and easy way to create iced coffee whenever you want it, instant coffee sachets like our selection at Cafely may be worth a try. You simply need cold water, some ice cubes, and your glass of choice.
Stir the contents of the sachet into the water until fully incorporated, then add the ice cubes for a cool and refreshing drink in flavors like coconut, milk latte, and simple black coffee.
FAQs: Iced Coffee & Coffee Freshness
Still want to know about keeping iced coffee and other brews as fresh as possible? We’ve outlined a few common queries below.
1. Can Iced Coffee Stay Out of the Fridge?
You can keep iced coffee unrefrigerated, but its shelf life will be considerably reduced. Iced coffee kept out at room temperature will stay good for around 14 hours, although on hot days where the liquid reaches room temperature, the time maybe even less than that.
2. What’s the Best Coffee to Use For Iced Coffee?
If you intend to keep your iced coffee for later, the best type of coffee you can use is one that is freshly roasted, ground, and full of flavor. Strong robusta coffee like Cafely’s Ha Noi may be a good option to give a punch of flavor even after a few days in the fridge.
3. Can I Reheat Iced Coffee?
We wouldn’t recommend trying to heat up iced coffee, especially if it has milk and other additives in it. You can, however, heat up cold brew coffee — the easiest way to do this is to add hot water to a small amount of cold brew concentrate.
4. How Should I Store My Coffee?
When storing coffee, it's important to remember what can affect its shelf life: heat, air/oxygen, light, and moisture. You should store your coffee beans or grounds in an opaque, airtight container in a cool, dry cupboard.
5. Can I Freeze Coffee Beans?
It is possible to freeze coffee beans, and this can extend their freshness. However, freezing coffee beans does come with risks, as moisture can affect them when thawing, taking away the flavor and aroma of the beans.
6. What Coffee Type Lasts the Longest?
Instant coffee has the longest shelf life of any type of coffee and is uniquely formulated to brew right away while still providing you with excellent flavors and aromas. Designed for those with limited time, instant coffee provides immediate results without sacrificing quality. Why not try the instant coffee range from Cafely for authentic Vietnamese coffee on the go?
