German Iced Coffee (Eiskaffee)

For those of you that don’t already know, I’m in Germany for the next several weeks. 

Why, you might ask? 

Well, it’s because I’m putting together the finishing touches of our wedding in September. I have to laugh because I keep getting the question from some of the guys in my life as to why I need so long to do this. I’m guessing they just know very little about planning a wedding. Yes, of course, I already put together several details from across the pond. Some things, like the dress (which will be a dirndl), decorations and flowers, needed to wait until I was over here. I don’t think that six weeks is too much for this. Especially when you consider how long it can take a woman to find that perfect dress.

Another lovely side effect is that I get to spend a fair amount of time researching recipes and cooking techniques for this blog. I’d say that that is time well spent. Between my Mother having formal training in German hotel management (hotelfachfrau) and us knowing several people that are wonderful cooks, and even chefs, I should come back locked and loaded with lots of knowledge to keep me going for quite some time.

My German Office

This first post from Germany, however, is going to be a simple one. It’s been terribly hot here, mostly in the upper 90s and even one day over 100. This has prompted my Mother to teach me how to make Eiskaffees like she did when she worked in German restaurants. Now in the afternoons we sit on the balcony enjoying our sweet coffee drinks and the occasional cooling breeze. 

Oh, I should probably mention that Eiskaffee, or German iced coffee, is cold coffee served with vanilla ice cream and topped with whipped cream. Yup, it’s just that simple.

First Eiskaffee

I didn’t have plans on doing an Eiskaffee post any time soon. The first post was supposed to be German Potato Salad. However, when I posted the above photo on my personal Facebook feed the other day, it really got much more attention than I thought it would. So, here we are!

Shall we get started?

German Iced Coffee

(Eiskaffee)

Ingredients:

• Strong brewed coffee, chilled
• 1 – 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream (bourbon vanilla, if you can find it)
• Whipped cream (Germans use unsweetened)
• Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder as garnish

There won’t be any of my usual “how to” photos because there’s just really nothing to this recipe.

Directions:

1. Pour your chilled coffee in a glass while leaving enough room for the ice cream.
2. Add 1 – 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream (or however much your heart desires).
3. Top it off with a healthy dose of whipped cream (whipped cream is healthy, right?).
4. Garnish with chocolate shavings or cocoa powder
5. Serve with a spoon and drink with a straw. This is a must. Okay, not really but it is the way it’s usually done.

The other way to do it is to simply put your ice cream in first. This gives the Eiskaffee more of a latte look. I like doing it the traditional way because I enjoy the visual contrast between the dark coffee and the light ice cream. 

A note about the sweetness:
Typically unsweetened coffee if used for this drink. If you’d prefer a sweeter version, I’d recommend adding the sugar to your coffee while it’s still hot. I don’t know about you but I really don’t feel like sugar dissolves well in cold drinks. 

Variations:

• Try using chocolate ice cream for a caffè mocha twist.
• Other garnish options include chocolate sprinkles, instant coffee or cinnamon. Oh, maybe even some ground cardamon. 

Now, go forth and make yourself a delicious German iced coffee or Eiskaffee this afternoon. If you can, enjoy one with a friend while seated outside at a small bistro table. It’ll be very German of you.

Keep yourselves nice and cool!

As always,

Diony

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German Iced Coffee - Eiskaffee

This delicious, cold coffee and vanilla ice cream drink is a treat best enjoyed on hot, summer afternoons.

Ingredients

• Strong brewed coffee chilled
• Vanilla ice cream Bourbon or Madagascar vanilla, if possible
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder as garnish

Instructions

1. Pour your chilled coffee in a glass while leaving enough room for the ice cream.
2. Add 1 – 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream.
3. Top it off with a healthy does of whipped cream.
4. Garnish with chocolate shavings/cocoa powder.
5. Serve with a straw and long handled spoon.

Recipe Notes

Variations:
Put ice cream in the glass first for a more latte-like version.
Try using chocolate ice cream for a caffè mocha twist.
Other garnish options include chocolate sprinkles, instant coffee or cinnamon. Oh, maybe even some ground cardamon.