If you love the flavor and aroma of coffee but are trying to cut back on caffeine for health reasons, we’ve got you covered.
With the techniques below, you can learn how to make decaf iced coffee that’s just as good as anything you can find at coffee shops.
Why not get creative and see what specialties you can whip up for yourself?
3 Ways to Make Decaf Iced Coffee
Decaf Drip Iced Coffee
- Brew decaf coffee as usual
- Let the coffee cool at room temperature or in the refrigerator
- Serve over ice cubes
- Add your cream and/or sugar
Decaf Iced Cold Brew Coffee
Many coffee lovers believe cold brew has a richer, smoother flavor than traditionally brewed coffee.
This goes for decaf coffee, too. Plus, you don’t have to cool off the hot coffee before serving it iced.
For the best cold brew, here is what we recommend:
- Coarsely grind the beans instead of using finely ground coffee
- Simply put your ground beans into a French press or other container
- Cover the beans with water
- Leave in the refrigerator overnight for the coffee to brew
- The following day, strain the coffee grounds using the French press or another filter such as cheesecloth
- Serve over ice cubes or as is (because it is already cold)
Instant Decaf Coffee with Ice
If you want your iced coffee ASAP, instant coffee is a decent option. Try this recipe:
Ingredients
● 2 tsp decaf instant coffee
● 1 tsp warm water
● ½ cup of cold water
● ½ cup of milk or half-and-half
● Sweetener or sugar
● 1 tsp vanilla extract
● Ice cubes
Instructions
Mix the dry ingredients and dissolve them into the warm water. Then add the remaining wet ingredients and stir well. Fill a large glass with ice cubes and pour the coffee over the top.
You can add a sprig of mint as a garnish if you like.
Decadent Decaf Ice Coffee
I always like to push boundaries, so I thought about making an ice coffee sensation. Make the recipes above more special by adding any combination of the following:
● Fresh cream: A classic that makes any drink richer.
● Condensed milk or ice cream: A naughty but nice additive for someone with a sweet tooth.
● Chocolate sauce: Who doesn’t love a little mochaccino flavor?
● Caramel sauce: If condensed milk is a little too sweet, caramel sauce adds a more subtle hint of sugar.
A Tip for Stronger Coffee
Wondering how to make decaf iced coffee stronger in flavor? Make your coffee using one of the methods above and freeze it in an ice cube tray. When you want your iced coffee, remove a few cubes, top up the glass with milk and cream, and you have a quick, cold coffee.
What Are the Potential Health Benefits of Decaf Coffee?
According to Healthline, decaf coffee has several potential health benefits. These include:
● An excellent antioxidant profile: Decaf contains almost all of the hydroxycinnamic acids and polyphenols you find in regular coffee. These antioxidants fight oxidative damage in the body and have anti-aging effects.
● Supplies several nutrients: A cup of coffee contains magnesium, potassium, and Vitamin B3.
● Reduced risk of type II diabetes: While more research is necessary, drinking decaf could help to lower your risk of developing diabetes.
● Protecting neurons: Research indicates that the chlorogenic acid present in both versions of coffee may have neuroprotective features.
● Less heartburn: If drinking coffee gives you heartburn, switching to decaf may relieve this nasty side effect.
Why Choose Decaf Coffee?
Some people are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others. According to the FDA, decaffeinated coffee contains between 2mg and 15mg of caffeine per cup. Standard coffee contains between 80 mg and 100mg.
Decaf’s reduced caffeine levels make it more palatable for:
● Pregnant women
● Nursing mothers
● Younger adults and teens
● People using medication that interacts with caffeine
● People with high blood pressure
● People with sleeping disorders
● People with heart arrhythmia
People can safely consume up to 400mg of caffeine a day, according to the FDA. Signs that you may need to cut back include:
● Insomnia
● Nausea
● Jitteriness
● Headache
● Upset stomach
● Anxiety
● Dysphoria
● Racing heart rate
Is It Safe to Drink Coffee without Caffeine?
In general, it may even prove to be healthy. A review of 28 studies tracking over 1.1 million participants showed that drinking coffee with or without caffeine lowered the risk of developing type II diabetes.
However, the cause for caution may have more to do with the extraction method of the caffeine than the product itself. Many manufacturers use methylene chloride to remove as much caffeine as possible.
The substance is FDA-approved when residues are limited to 0.001% of the final product. However, excess consumption of methylene chloride can lead to:
● Drowsiness
● Loss of concentration
● Irritability
● Headaches
● Wheezing or coughing
Therefore, it’s worth checking what extraction method the manufacturer uses. I also recommend that you monitor your reaction to decaffeinated blends. While I haven’t noticed such effects myself, it doesn’t hurt to err on the side of caution.
What Is Different about Decaffeinated Coffee?
Decaf coffee comes from the same beans as regular coffee.
The difference is in the processing. During processing, manufacturers soak or steam away as much as 97% of the caffeine from the beans.
Where Can I Find Decaf Coffee?
You can find decaffeinated coffee in any grocery store or coffee shop.
If, however, you wish to access a wider variety of options, buying online is the most convenient way to access the best brands.