What Is The Best Coffee for Iced Coffee?

Are you on a quest to discover the perfect iced coffee experience? Unlocking the secret starts with the beans – the roast, grind, and origin – all play crucial roles in creating that refreshing and satisfying glass of good iced coffee.

We’ve explored the landscape of coffee brands, types, and treatments to help you navigate your journey toward the ultimate iced coffee masterpiece.

Let’s dive into the delicious world of the best iced coffee and discover which beans make the best brew!

Best Roast and Grind for Iced Coffee

There are two primary considerations when you are choosing the best coffee for iced coffee, much the same as when selecting it for hot coffee:

Roast Level

The roast level of the coffee beans dramatically influences the flavor profile of your iced coffee. Light roasts yield a more acidic and fruity flavor, whereas medium roasts balance acidity and a fuller body.

On the other hand, a dark roast offers robust and bold flavors with lower acidity. When making iced coffee, it’s essential to consider how dilution from the ice may affect the taste. 

Many iced coffee enthusiasts prefer a dark roast because its strong flavor can withstand dilution, maintaining a rich, bold taste even when chilled with ice.

However, a light to medium roast could be your best bet if you prefer a lighter, more refreshing flavor with a touch of acidity. Experimenting with different roast levels will help you find the ideal balance for your taste.

Grind Size

Like the roast level, the grind size also plays a significant role in determining the flavor of your iced coffee. A finer grind allows for a quicker and more intense extraction, leading to a robust and full-bodied coffee flavor.

Conversely, a coarser grind results in slower extraction, producing a lighter and smoother taste. Therefore, your choice of grind size for your whole beans should depend on your preferred flavor intensity.

• Fine Grind: Ideal for espresso-based iced coffee drinks such as iced lattes or iced cappuccinos. It offers a strong flavor that can complement the creaminess of milk or cream additions.
• Medium Grind: Perfect for traditional iced coffee methods, balancing robust flavor and smoothness. It allows for a well-rounded flavor profile suitable for drinking black or with minimal additions.
• Coarse Grind: Best for cold brew methods, as it allows for a slow, gentle extraction over extended periods. This results in a smooth, low-acidity coffee, often enjoyed black or with a splash of cold milk.

What Type of Coffee is Best for Iced Coffee?

When selecting the type of coffee for iced coffee, consider opting for a single-origin bean. Single-origin coffees are renowned for their unique flavor profiles, influenced by the specific environmental conditions of their growth region. 

For example, African coffees are often characterized by their fruity and floral notes, while South American coffees tend to have a nutty, chocolatey profile. These distinct flavors can add an intriguing complexity to your iced coffee. 

The key here is to choose a coffee type that aligns with your taste preferences and experiment until you find the perfect match. Remember, the goal is to enjoy a refreshing, satisfying iced coffee that pleases your palate.

Can You Use Regular Coffee for Iced Coffee?

You can certainly use regular coffee for iced coffee. The primary consideration is that the flavor should be robust enough to hold up against the dilution effect of the ice.

A medium to dark roast is often a good choice if you use a hot-brew method for your iced coffee. 

If you’re making a cold brew with a naturally milder and smoother taste, a dark roast can provide a bit of oomph. But remember, there are no hard and fast rules. The goal is to balance strength, flavor, and refreshment that suits your taste. 

What Coffee Does Starbucks Use for Iced Coffee?

Starbucks coffee shop blends arabica coffee beans for their iconic iced coffees. The beans are sourced from Latin America and East Africa and then roasted to a medium level to bring out the sweetness in the coffee.

Their signature iced coffee recipe has a bold, smooth flavor that matches milk and ice additions. So, if you’re looking for an accessible and reliable iced coffee experience, Starbucks’ classic blend might be the perfect fit.

Do You Use The Same Coffee for Iced Coffee and Cold Brew?

While iced and cold coffee are served cold, they are not necessarily made with the same coffee. The selection of beans primarily depends on the brewing process and personal taste preferences. 

Iced coffee is typically a hot-brewed coffee that is cooled down and served over ice cubes. Therefore, you might prefer a medium to dark roast that can stand up to the dilution from the ice.

On the other hand, cold brew is made by steeping coarse-ground coffee in cold water for an extended period, usually 12 to 24 hours.

This method results in a smooth, low-acidity coffee that might benefit from a dark roast to add depth to the flavor.

However, the ultimate decision on what coffee to use for iced or cold brew is personal taste. Experiment with different roasts, origins, and grind sizes to find your perfect brew for iced and cold brews.

Best Brands For Iced Coffee

Volcanica Ethiopian Coffee, Yirgacheffe Region

Volcanica Ethiopian Coffee from the Yirgacheffe region is a perfect choice for those seeking a unique flavor profile in their iced coffee.

This coffee is 100% pure Ethiopian, guaranteeing authenticity and a premium experience. The beans are medium/light roast, allowing the natural flavor nuances to shine through. 

The coffee is brilliantly acidic, with an exciting mix of rough, fruity, or winy tones. It boasts a thick body with an earthy aroma enhanced by lemon, blueberry, and blackberry notes. 

You can rest assured of its quality as a USDA Organic-certified product. This coffee is fresh-roasted, immediately packed, and sealed to ensure maximum freshness. Its remarkable taste is sure to enhance your iced coffee experience.

Lifeboost Coffee Dark Roast Ground Coffee

For a top-notch coffee experience that comes with an assurance of quality and sustainability, consider Lifeboost Coffee Dark Roast Ground Coffee.

This is one of my overall favorite coffees. It’s non-GMO, organic, low-acid coffee is rich in flavor.

The coffee beans are sun-dried and spring water washed, ensuring a natural coffee experience from nature. 

Lifeboost sources its best beans from the high-elevation mountains of Central America, with all farming practices being bird-friendly.

Each coffee bean is hand-picked to ensure absolute purity. The low acidity level of the coffee makes it an excellent choice for those who may experience stomach discomfort or dental issues from regular coffee. 

What sets Lifeboost Coffee apart from the rest is not just the exceptional taste but also the rigorous quality assurance processes.

The beans are USDA Certified Organic and have been tested by a third party for mycotoxins, heavy metals, pesticides, and 400 other toxins.

This meticulous attention to quality means every sip you take tastes organic, toxin-free goodness, making it hard to return to an ordinary cup of coffee. 

Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend

If you’re looking for a taste of Italy in your iced coffee, consider Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend. This blend boasts a light to medium roast level, balancing a mild, creamy flavor with aromatic hazelnut and brown sugar notes. 

Perfectly balanced, this blend comprises 60% Arabica and 40% Robusta beans, delivering a harmonious fusion of taste, aroma, and body. While this blend shines in any preparation, it’s especially suited for espresso machines, bringing the espresso bar experience into your home. 

Stone Street Coffee Brooklyn Signature Blend

Stone Street Coffee Company brings you their signature blend, an impeccably balanced mix of a light roast with a syrupy dark roast, creating a delicious medium roast blend.

Made with 100% Arabica beans, this selection ensures a high-quality coffee experience. 

Packaged in a stand-up 3-layer Natural Kraft bag featuring a one-way degassing valve, this blend retains its freshness and aroma for every brew.

Not to mention, the 1lb bag is resealable, furthering the longevity of your beans. 

Nestled in Brooklyn, NYC, Stone Street Coffee Company is a specialty small-batch roaster that has been providing delectable coffee since 2009, living up to its motto, “No Sleep ‘Til Brooklyn.”

Final Thoughts On The Best Coffee for Iced Coffee

The best coffee for a great iced coffee boils down to personal preference. The origins, roast level, and grind size can all impact the final flavor of your brew. 

Whether you’re a fan of the complex, fruity notes of Yirgacheffe coffee from Volcanica, the pure and sustainable ethos of Lifeboost Coffee, the espresso-perfect Lavazza Super Crema blend, or the balanced taste of Stone Street Coffee’s Brooklyn Signature Blend of coffees, there’s something out there to satisfy every coffee lover’s palate. 

Whatever your preference, and for the best results, remember to enjoy the exploration journey of finding your perfect iced coffee brew.