Iced coffee will taste 'cafe-bought' if one key step is done

As Britain sizzles under soaring temperatures, expected to hit 34°C in parts of the UK this weekend, many are turning to iced coffee as the ultimate way to cool down. With coffee now officially overtaking tea as the nation's favourite drink and a reported 95 million cups consumed every day, it's no surprise that iced coffee is having a serious moment.

Thanks to rising cafe prices and a generation of coffee lovers, iced coffee-making is currently trending across social media, with TikTok seeing more than 266,000 daily searches on the subject. But while it may seem like a simple drink to recreate at home, many are left disappointed when their iced coffee turns watery and bland after just a few minutes in the sun.

According to Jonathan Sitson, founder of beverage tools brand Quick Whip, the biggest mistake people make is using ordinary ice cubes. The real café-style trick lies in freezing leftover coffee into cubes for later use.

"Coffee ice cubes are a simple way to keep iced coffee cold without watering it down," Sitson says. "Unlike regular ice, they melt into more coffee, not flavourless liquid.

"They're also a clever way to use up leftover brew, especially if you tend to make too much in the morning."

Social media users have dubbed the hack a revelation.

"No more watered down coffee," declared one TikTok user, while another posted: "I don't know why I didn't make these sooner. Absolute game changer."

The technique involves brewing a slightly stronger batch of black coffee, letting it cool fully, and then pouring it into ice cube trays to freeze overnight.

While cold brew works particularly well due to its smooth flavour, any coffee can be used. Once frozen, the cubes can be stored in a sealed container or freezer bag and used within two weeks to avoid freezer burn or stale taste.

When ready to serve, simply drop the frozen cubes into a glass and pour your freshly made iced coffee over them.

For those wanting to extend the chill, Sitson recommends larger ice moulds and insulated cups, giving you up to an hour of undiluted, delicious flavour.

For an extra twist, you can even add a splash of vanilla syrup or a pinch of cinnamon before freezing.