Buzz
Instant coffee is a great choice when you need something to give you a boost but don’t have a coffee machine. Unlike ground coffee, instant coffee is made from brewed coffee that has been dried. While this means you can’t brew true coffee beans at home, it’s still a simple and delicious way to get your caffeine fix! Instant coffee is especially great when served cold, and you can get creative with spices, turning it into a latte or an iced coffee shake.
Ingredients
Basic Instant Coffee
- 1 cup (240 ml) hot water
- 1 - 2 teaspoons instant coffee
- 1 - 2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
- Milk or cream (optional)
- Cocoa, spices, or vanilla extract (optional)
Steps
Brewing Basic Instant Coffee
Heat one cup of water. Heat the water in the microwave for 1 minute for a quick and easy hot water, or heat it on the stove over medium heat, then remove the kettle before the water starts to boil.
- To brew one serving of coffee, heat 1 cup (240 ml) of water. Use more water if you want to make more coffee.
- It’s easier to pour hot water into the cup if you heat the water with a kettle.
Add 1-2 teaspoons of instant coffee to the cup. Check the instant coffee box to see the recommended ratio for the best flavor. Most brands recommend using 1-2 teaspoons of coffee for 1 cup (240 ml) of water.
Use more coffee if you prefer a stronger taste and less if you like a milder cup.
Mix the coffee with 1 tablespoon of cold water. Gently stir the coffee with a little cold water to dissolve it. Slowly dissolve the coffee instead of abruptly mixing it with hot water to preserve the coffee’s flavor.
Pour hot water into the cup. Pour the hot water carefully, especially if you’re not using a kettle. Leave some space in the cup to add milk or cream if you don’t prefer black coffee.
Add sugar or spices if desired. If you want a richer flavor, you can add sugar or spices after brewing the coffee with hot water. If preferred, add 1 teaspoon of sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, or Jamaican pepper.
You can also use coffee creamer. Keep in mind that most coffee creamers are pre-sweetened, so you typically won’t need to add extra sugar.
Add milk or cream if you’re not a fan of black coffee. Add a spoonful of cow’s milk, almond milk, or any milk alternative to your coffee, or use cream or coffee creamer. The exact amount depends on how strong or mild you like your coffee.
- You can skip milk or cream if you prefer black instant coffee.
Stir the coffee and enjoy. Stir the coffee thoroughly before drinking. Stir until the coffee has a consistent color so that the sugar and milk (if used) dissolve evenly.
Making Iced Instant Coffee
Mix 2 teaspoons of instant coffee with ½ cup (120 ml) of hot water. Heat the water in the microwave for 30 - 60 seconds. Stir the coffee with hot water until the coffee dissolves completely.
- You can prepare the coffee in a drinking cup or in a separate container, just make sure the container is microwave-safe.
- If you plan to pour the coffee over ice, you may want to heat the water in a measuring cup or a pourable cup.
Stir sugar or spices with warm water, if desired. If you want to use sugar or spices, add them to the water before adding the ice and cold water or milk. Sugar, cinnamon, Jamaican pepper, and other spices dissolve more easily in warm water.
You can also add coffee creamer or syrup instead of sugar and spices.
Pour ½ cup (120 ml) of cold water or milk into the warm coffee mixture. If you prefer a creamier iced coffee, use cold milk instead of water. Stir to ensure everything is fully mixed.
Pour the cold coffee into a cup filled with ice cubes. Add ice cubes into a tall glass and slowly pour the cold coffee over the ice.
- If you're making the coffee in the cup you plan to drink from, simply add the ice directly to the cup.
Drink your iced instant coffee right after making it. You can enjoy it directly from the cup or use a straw. Drink it before the ice melts and dilutes the coffee.
Making Instant Latte Coffee
Mix 1 tablespoon of instant coffee with ¼ cup (60ml) of hot water. Heat the water in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Add the instant coffee and stir until fully dissolved.
- Mix the water and coffee in the cup you're going to drink from. The cup should hold at least 1 cup (240 ml) of liquid.
Add sugar or spices, if desired. If you prefer your latte to be sweet or have additional flavors, you can add 1 teaspoon of sugar, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, or coffee syrup. Mix the ingredients into the cup and stir until fully dissolved.
Shake ½ cup (120 ml) of milk in a sealed jar. Pour milk into a microwave-safe jar with a tight lid, seal it, and shake vigorously for 30-60 seconds. This creates frothy milk similar to a traditional latte.
Microwave the milk without the lid for 30 seconds. Remove the jar's lid and heat the milk in the microwave. The froth will rise to the top as the milk warms.
Pour the heated milk into the cup. Use a large spoon to hold back the froth while pouring the hot milk into the coffee cup. Stir gently until the coffee has a uniform color.
If you prefer a stronger latte, avoid pouring all the heated milk. Pour just enough until the coffee reaches your desired shade.
Scoop the froth or whipped cream onto the latte. Spoon the frothy milk from the jar onto the surface of the latte, or add a dollop of whipped cream to enhance the richness.
Sprinkle spices on the coffee and enjoy immediately. Dust a bit of cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa, or your favorite spices on top of the froth or whipped cream. Enjoy while the coffee is still hot and the milk froth is intact.
Blend the iced coffee
Prepare the blender and plug it in. Take out the blender, ensure it's switched off, and then plug it in. Double-check that the blender jar has a tight-fitting lid.
Add ice cubes, instant coffee, milk, vanilla extract, and sugar into the blender. Put 6 ice cubes, 1 teaspoon of instant coffee, ¾ cup (180 ml) milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 2 teaspoons of sugar into the blender. If desired, you can also add 2 teaspoons of chocolate syrup.
Blend the mixture on high speed for 2-3 minutes or until it thickens. Close the blender lid and start blending. Keep the lid in place until the ice is finely crushed. The final texture should be smooth and thick, similar to a smoothie.
- If the mixture is too thick, you can add more milk. If it's too thin, add one more ice cube.
Pour the blended coffee into a tall glass. Turn off the blender and remove the lid, then pour the blended coffee into a tall glass. You can use a spoon or spatula to scrape the mixture stuck on the sides of the blender jar.
Decorate the coffee with a drizzle of syrup or chocolate shavings. Add some whipped cream, chocolate syrup, or chocolate shavings to the coffee. You can also spray whipped cream on top, then sprinkle cocoa powder or drizzle chocolate or caramel over it.
Drink the iced coffee immediately after pouring. Enjoy the iced coffee before it starts to melt. Drink it straight from the glass or use a wide straw. Keep a spoon nearby, especially if the coffee is topped with chocolate shavings or whipped cream.
Tips
- Store instant coffee in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 2-3 months after opening. Unopened instant coffee can be kept at room temperature for 1-2 years.
- Measuring the right amount of coffee is crucial when brewing, as using too much will result in a bitter taste.
