Beverages

Coffee Glacé

Name: Coffee Glacé
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 2 cups Strong brewed coffee (such as espresso or French press); 0.5 cup Granulated sugar; 1 as needed Ice cubes; 1 to taste Milk or cream (optional); 1 to taste Whipped cream (optional, for garnish)

3h 15min4 servingsEasy350 cal

Coffee Glacé, or Glace au café, is a sophisticated French iced coffee drink. It typically features a strong, sweetened coffee concentrate served over ice, often enhanced with a splash of milk or cream, offering a refreshing and elegant treat. Originating from French café culture, Glace au café embodies the French appreciation for coffee, adapted for warmer weather. It's not merely cold coffee, but a carefully prepared beverage, often rich and sweet, reflecting the country's culinary finesse even in its simplest drinks. It serves as a refreshing counterpoint to traditional hot coffee, particularly popular in the warmer months.

FrenchBeverageCoffeeSummer Drinkiced coffee

Ingredients

2 cups Strong brewed coffee (such as espresso or French press)
0.5 cup Granulated sugar
1 as needed Ice cubes
1 to taste Milk or cream (optional)
1 to taste Whipped cream (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1
Brew 2 cups of very strong coffee. If using an espresso machine, prepare 4-6 shots and dilute with hot water to reach 2 cups. For French press or drip, use a higher coffee-to-water ratio than usual.
2
While the coffee is still hot, add the granulated sugar. Stir continuously until the sugar is completely dissolved. Taste and adjust sugar if desired; it should be sweeter than your usual coffee as it will be diluted by ice.
3
Allow the sweetened coffee to cool to room temperature.
4
Once cooled, transfer the coffee concentrate to a covered container and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight, until thoroughly chilled.
5
To serve, fill four tall glasses generously with ice cubes.
6
Pour the chilled coffee concentrate over the ice, dividing equally among the glasses.
7
If desired, add a splash of milk or cream to each glass and stir gently.
8
Optionally, top with a dollop of whipped cream for a richer experience. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing French classic.

Chef's Tips

•Storage: The coffee concentrate can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It's perfect for making ahead!
•Substitutions: For a dairy-free option, use almond, oat, or soy milk. You can also experiment with different sweeteners like maple syrup or a dash of vanilla extract for added flavor.
•Customize: For an extra treat, drizzle chocolate syrup or a liqueur like Kahlúa into the glass before adding the coffee.
•Fun Fact: While 'Glace au café' literally means 'coffee ice,' referring to a frozen dessert like granita, in a beverage context, it refers to this specific style of chilled, sweetened coffee, a testament to the French art of enjoying coffee in all its forms.