Whether making a coffee dessert or a delicious iced coffee, cooling down coffee can be tedious. Leaving a coffee to cool down to room temperature naturally can take up to an hour — we don’t all have time for that.
Luckily, there are ways to speed up the process and cool down coffee in seconds. In this read, you’ll learn five ways to cool down coffee fast so you enjoy that iced coffee or chilled coffee dessert sooner…
How to Cool Down Coffee: Five Ways
There are several ways to quickly cool down coffee. However, not all of them are perfect for everyone. Some methods dilute the coffee as a result, and other methods aren't accessible to some people.
With that said, here are five ways to cool down coffee quickly:
1. Add Ice Cubes
The fastest way to cool down coffee is by adding ice cubes to the brew. Doing this can turn a freshly brewed coffee into an ice-cold beverage in minutes.
Simply pour the coffee directly over the ice or add ice cubes to the cup after pouring. Give the brew a good stir — once the ice melts, the brew should be cold.
This method is perfect for making iced coffee. However, adding ice will dilute the brew. When using this method to cool down coffee, make the coffee stronger than needed to account for dilution as the ice melts.
2. Pouring From Cup to Cup
If you want to cool down coffee to a drinkable temperature or just enough to use in baking or iced coffee, aeration is the way to go.
You can aerate the coffee by pouring it back and forth between two cups. This increases the surface area exposed to air, allowing heat to dissipate more quickly. Aim to pour the coffee from height during each pour — this will cool it down faster.
This is one of the best methods to cool down coffee without diluting it. With practice, you’ll be able to cool the coffee down in a matter of minutes.
If you plan on using the coffee for frozen beverages, ice cream, or chilled desserts, you will need to chill the brew further by refrigerating.
3. Create an Ice Bath
By placing your coffee cup in a bowl filled with ice and water, you can quickly cool down the coffee without dilution. This isn't the fastest method, but you'll be able to achieve an ice-cold brew in around five minutes (depending on the volume of coffee).
Simply fill a flat-bottom bowl with water and ice. Place the coffee-filled cup in the bath and stir continuously until the brew is cooled.
Adding a tablespoon of salt to the ice bath can speed up the chilling process through a process known as “freezing point depression.” When salt is added to ice, it lowers the freezing point of the ice, causing it to melt. As the ice melts, it absorbs heat from its surroundings — in this case, the hot cup of coffee. This results in a significant drop in temperature and an ice-cold beverage in minutes.
4. Place the Coffee Outside
If you live in a cold country during the winter, putting your coffee outside may be the quickest way to chill it. If you regularly see temperatures of 23°F (-5°C) or lower, putting your cup of coffee outside for five minutes will be enough to chill it.
If you have snow outside, place the cup on a stable surface and pile snow around it — this will speed up the chilling process even more.
5. Use a Fan or AC Unit
If you want to cool your coffee down to a drinkable temperature or reduce its heat more gradually, a fan or air conditioning unit will help. The airflow will help cool the coffee down more quickly, but it’s not as instant as using ice.
Simply place the cup in front of a fan or AC unit and stir regularly while it’s cooling to help distribute the heat more evenly.
Why Would You Need to Cool Down Coffee?
There are several reasons why you may need to cool down coffee. The most obvious is to make it drinkable. Freshly brewed coffee can reach temperatures of 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C) — drinking it at these temperatures would burn your mouth.
Allowing the coffee to cool slightly before drinking also pronounces its flavors. Scalding hot coffee doesn’t taste as complex as coffee that’s cooled to temperatures of 130°F to 160°F (54°C to 71°C).
Cooling coffee to room temperature is done for a number of reasons. If you're making coffee desserts such as tiramisu, coffee ice cream, or coffee cheesecake, you may need to cool down a shot of coffee quickly.
If you want to make iced coffee, cooling down a concentrated hot brew is essential before pouring over ice and combining it with milk.
How to Make Iced Coffee Fast: 2-Minute Recipe
The most popular reason to cool down coffee fast is to make an iced coffee in an instant.
If you love iced coffee but don’t enjoy the time and hassle it takes to make one, follow our simple recipe below…
Ingredients:
- Cafely Vietnamese Instant Espresso
- Hot water
- Ice
- Milk
- Sugar (optional)
Equipment:
- Kettle or stovetop pan
- Coffee mug
- Tall serving glass
- Teaspoon
1. Brew the Coffee
Take one sachet of Cafley Instant Vietnamese Espresso and pour it into a regular-sized coffee cup. Pour in 50 mL of hot water and stir. Stir in one to two teaspoons of sugar (optional)
2. Cool the Coffee
To the coffee, add one or two ice cubes and stir vigorously to cool and slightly dilute.
3. Assemble the Iced Coffee
Fill a tall serving glass with ice and pour in the coffee. Fill the rest of the glass with cold, whole milk or a dairy-free alternative.
4. Serve and Enjoy
Gently stir the brew to combine, serve, and enjoy while ice-cold.
FAQs: Cooling Coffee Down Quickly
Want to learn more about chilling coffee, cold brews, and making iced coffee?
Head over to the Cafley Blog or check out the answers to the frequently asked questions below.
1. What is Iced Coffee?
Iced coffee is a chilled coffee beverage served over ice. It's typically made with a strong, concentrated shot of coffee, milk, and sugar. However, they can be made unsweetened and black.
2. What is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee — although similar to iced coffee — is made by brewing coffee in cold water. Coffee grounds are submerged in cold water in the refrigerator for 18 to 24 hours before being strained. The result is a strong, balanced brew that's less acidic than hot-brewed coffee.
3. Can You Store Cold Coffee?
Yes. You can store cold coffee in the fridge. When stored black, it will last for seven to 10 days. When stored with milk, it will last two or three days.
4. Can You Make Iced Coffee With a French Press?
Yes. You can make iced coffee with a French press. Simply adjust the coffee-to-water ratio to produce a concentrated shot of coffee and brew as normal with hot water. Once brewed, cool the coffee and pour over ice. Dilute with milk, add sugar or syrup, and enjoy.
5. How Long Does It Take For Coffee To Cool Naturally?
Freshly brewed coffee takes around 30 to 60 minutes to cool to room temperature. However, this time can differ depending on the temperature of the coffee when brewed, the cup it's in, and the temperature of the room.
6. Can You Use Ice to Cool Down Coffee?
Yes. You can use ice to cool down coffee quickly. However, as the ice melts, it dilutes the brew. If you have frozen whisky rocks, you'll get the same effect without the dilution.
7. What Are The Best Coffee Beans For Iced Coffee?
The best coffee beans for iced coffee depend on your taste. You have two options — robusta and arabica. Dark roast arabica produces a sweet, smooth brew, ideal for black iced coffee and cold brew. Dark roast robusta coffee is much stronger; it's perfect for sweet, milky iced coffee and Southeast Asian iced coffee with condensed milk.
8. Can You Make Iced Coffee With Instant Coffee?
Yes. You can make iced coffee with instant coffee. Simply brew a concentrated cup of instant coffee, cool, pour over ice, add milk, and enjoy.
9. Should I Use Hot Water To Brew Iced Coffee?
Yes. Iced coffee is made with hot brewed coffee that has been cooled. This method produces a rich coffee that shines through the cold milk. Cold brew coffee is milder and less acidic — it’s best enjoyed black.
10. Can You Make Iced Coffee With Espresso?
Yes. Espresso shot is perfect for making iced coffee. Simply brew a single or double shot, cool, and pour over ice. Another variation you can try is Vietnamese iced coffee. Add milk and sugar according to taste.
