Hot Over Ice (Without Watering it Down)

When the heat kicks in, few things hit like a cold coffee done right. While cold brew gets all the love, hot over ice is the underdog method that delivers big flavor fast—without the 12-hour wait. It’s bold, quick, and perfect for showcasing the nuances in a good bean.

Here’s how to do it like a pro.

1. Choose Your Coffee and Grind

Select a high-quality coffee—light to medium roasts with fruity or floral notes shine in this method. Grind it medium-fine, a touch finer than standard drip but not quite espresso. This ensures a balanced extraction that doesn’t taste flat once chilled.

Tip: Always grind fresh for maximum aroma and flavor.

2. Prep Your Ice and Glassware

Weigh out enough ice to equal about half of your total brew volume. For example, if you’re brewing 300g of hot water, use 150g of ice in your carafe or glass. Using filtered water for your ice will keep the flavor clean.

Place the ice directly into the vessel where your coffee will drip. A heat-resistant glass carafe or insulated tumbler works best.

3. Measure Your Coffee and Water Ratio

Since the ice will melt into your final brew, increase the coffee ratio slightly. Aim for a 1:13 ratio instead of the usual 1:15–1:16. That means for every 1 gram of coffee, use 13 grams of water.

For a single cup:

23g coffee
300g hot water
150g ice (already in your carafe)

4. Brew Directly Over Ice

Using a pour-over brewer (like a V60 or Kalita Wave), pour your hot water in stages over the coffee bed, just as you would with a traditional hot brew. The hot coffee will hit the ice immediately and chill on contact—locking in bright, vibrant flavors.

If using an AeroPress or Moka pot, brew the coffee first, then pour it quickly over your prepared ice to flash-chill.

5. Swirl, Stir, and Taste

Once brewing is complete, give the coffee and ice a gentle swirl to mix and cool evenly. Taste it black first. The result should be bold but refreshing, with none of the dullness of cold brew.

If desired, add milk, sweetener, or flavored syrups to match your summer mood. Oat milk pairs especially well with citrusy or chocolate-forward beans.

6. Bonus: Upgrade with Coffee Ice Cubes

To keep your iced coffee strong from start to finish, freeze brewed coffee into ice cubes ahead of time. Use them instead of regular ice to eliminate dilution completely.