It’s summertime, so we decided to play guinea pig to bring you the best iced coffee out there. As popular as this classic continues to be, iced coffee often alternates between watery and mouth puckering bitterness. Our goal was to create a cup solid enough to graduate from trend to timeless classic. We believe, when properly brewed, iced coffee may be the star of the coffee world. Not only can it be simple to prepare, (which we love, especially pre-caffeine) but it is the perfect refreshing treat to beat the heat.

Filtered water should be used to brew a double strength batch of coffee to start.  Flash brew iced coffee (aka ice brew) is made in a pour over (such as Hario or Chemex), but you don’t have to get all fancy if you don’t want to. You can make your iced coffee in an autodrip brewer too! Throw coffee ice cubes in to minimize dilution. Ta-da! A no-fuss, clean, crisp cup in minutes.

Homemade iced coffee is easy to make, but the right brewing method can preserve the nuances of the beans while other brewing methods can dull or neutralize their subtle flavor notes. The right iced coffee should be way less high maintenance than it tastes. We love a good shortcut and, finally, our resourcefulness pays off. All hail the perfect iced coffee, right from your very own kitchen! Check out our easy recipes and let us know what you think in the comments.

You may not know this, but August is National Coffee Month. Our world revolves around coffee and we’re not alone. Whether it’s brewed in a French press, autodrip machine, or espresso maker, your favorite brew is undeniably a centerpiece of life. Coffee brings people together, and for National Coffee Month, we wanted to bring you some recipes to make your get-togethers extra-special!

In celebration, we took it to the next level by freezing, blending, shaking, and mixing our hearts out to bring you these tasty warm weather treats. Here are our favorite concoctions, tested on our guinea pigs (aka employees) for your enjoyment.

For Coffee Buffs:

No-Churn Coffee Fudge Ice Cream

Nothing says summer quite like ice cream, and this no-churn treat is like bringing your local creamery home.

Vietnamese Coffee Popsicles

This treat fuses a strong blast of coffee, creamy sweetened condensed milk, and a velvety vanilla finish.

Dark Moon Cocktail

A coffee cocktail with a bold, heavy body. Brew a big batch and make any occasion more festive!

Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

Coffee is the secret ingredient in this luscious, indulgent treat.

Chocolate Lovers Coffee Shake

A fudgy, creamy dessert (or meal!) – perfect for cheat day

Affogato

This simple 2-ingredient summer treat keeps your taste buds guessing with blasts of creamy, cold gelato and steamy espresso.

For Tea Enthusiasts:

Iced Chai Bubble Tea

We love a little texture in our tea! The tapioca pearls make this spicy, sweet treat one of a kind.

Watermelon Mimosa Green Tea Popsicles

The refreshment of iced green tea meets sweet, juicy watermelon flavor. A sweet, tart way to cool down in the heat!

Jasmine Honey Tea Granita

A simple, flowery homemade dessert with a sweet, refreshing flavor

Tea Sangria

Brew up a tangy, fruity glass of this fresh, warm weather cocktail.

Rum and Lemon Ginger Green Tea

A refreshing, bubbly twist on the traditional Dark and Stormy

Feeling a little perplexed about what to get Dad this year? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a list we put together of some of our favorite items that we think will make a memorable gift.

June Roaster’s Blend:

Whether seeking a liquid companion for his warm weather adventures or simply something to savor as he relaxes in the sunshine, our June Roaster’s Blend is the perfect summer brew for Dads. The smooth blend of Guatemalan and City Roast Papua New Guinea has delicate notes of caramel and a warm, lingering finish. This sweet, mellow blend is versatile enough to enjoy hot or iced, and far too tasty to miss out on. Help Dad kick start his summer in style.

Chemex Pour-over & Filters:

Coffee purists already know how great the Chemex is, but this easy to use and artistic coffeemaker is perfect for Dad. The Chemex looks both futuristic and old fashioned at the same time. Simple and elegant yet groovy and – dare we say it – funky. Surely, this is a case of form over function, right? Wrong… coffee aficionados have backed the Chemex since 1941 for its pure coffee flavor with no bitterness. It has been called one of the 100 best designed products of modern times. It’s even on display at the MoMA! Check out our helpful guide on how to use a Chemex coffee pour-over here.

Bodum French Press:

If Dad prefers a silkier, heavier cup, this classic French Press brewer is a great Chemex alternative. Enjoy a cup of full-bodied coffee from a classy Bodum 8-cup French Press and taste the difference. Designed in the fifties and still produced with the same meticulous craftsmanship, these little masterworks show how profoundly preparation method can enhance your coffee’s flavor profile and complexity. These presses exhibit the practical, sleek design of the definitive Chambord French Press and come in a 12 cup and 8 cup size. If you’re not familiar with French Press coffee, this is the key to getting the most out of your coffee at home. You can learn how to use a Bodum French Press right here.

Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder:

Speaking of Dad getting the most out of his coffee, coffee beans must be ground right before coming in contact with hot water in order to develop their full flavor profile. This is where the electric coffee grinder BISTRO becomes part of the coffee making ritual. BISTRO is continuously adjustable – twisting the upper bean container determines how finely ground the beans will be. But there’s more to it than that. Most coffee grinders use plastic containers to receive the ground coffee but plastic and ground coffee don’t go together well – static makes the coffee spill all over the place. As glass is inherently static-free, the new BISTRO comes with a borosilicate glass container to catch the ground coffee. BISTRO makes for an excellent no-spill coffee grinder. Not only is this a timeless method for brewing coffee, but it will give Dad a coffee experience he is sure to love.

Stainless Steel 30oz Tumbler & Coffee Bean Direct Mug:

Keep iced coffee cold and hot coffee steaming with this 30-oz stainless steel travel mug! The double walled stainless steel design affords excellent thermal performance, helping Dad keep his drink icy cold or piping hot for hours. Featuring a slide-lock press on lid to prevent party fouls and the logo of your favorite coffee roaster printed on the side. Our 14-oz mug is just as cool and will certainly help coffee stay hot. Either of these options will make sure Dad is sipping in style!

We hope this guide was helpful, and wish all the Dad’s out there a happy Father’s day! Was this guide helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

Hot Fudge Pudding Cake. What more could we possibly say? This incredibly tasty recipe was prepared by our resident programmer’s extremely thoughtful mother, Ellen. It’s a simple, low-effort desert featuring a rich chocolate fudge sauce that forms during the baking process. WARNING: do not taste test as you will end up with chocolate sauce all over your face. If you’re like us, you might also end up without any cake left. Serve with some ice cream for a nice balance of cold dessert and warm cake! Now, let’s get down to business.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups of brewed coffee, cold (our Grandfather’s Blend works great, but you can use whatever you prefer.)
• 6 tablespoons of butter, extra for greasing the cake pan
• 1/3 cup of chocolate chips (chopped semi-sweet chocolate also works)
• 2/3 cup of cocoa powder, divided
• 1 cup of white sugar, divided
• ¾ cup of flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla
• 1/3 cup milk (preferable whole milk)
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/3 cup of brown sugar

Directions:

• Heat your oven to 325 degrees, and take an 8 inch square or round cake pan that is at least 1 ½ to 2 inches deep and grease it with butter. Combine the 6 tablespoons of butter, chocolate chips, 1/3 cup of cocoa in a double boiler over simmering water. Melt them together. Watch it carefully and stir frequently until combined. Remove from heat (alternatively, this can be done in a microwave on half power. Again, watch carefully and stir frequently.)
• Whisk together 2/3 cup of white sugar, vanilla and milk. Add egg yolk and whisk it to combine. Add this mixture to the melted chocolate and whisk together. Add flour and baking powder. Stir to combine. Pour this mixture into the cake pan and spread evenly. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/3 cup of cocoa, remaining 1/3 cup of white sugar, and brown sugar, breaking up any clumps with your fingers. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cake batter in your pan. Do not stir.
• Pour the coffee over the cocoa/sugar mixture. Do not stir. Bake until the cake is puffed and bubbling and just beginning to pull away from sides the sides of the cake pan, about 35-45 minutes.
• Cool for at least 15 minutes before spooning into bowls to serve.
• Magically, there will be a nice chocolate cake on top of a rich pudding sauce underneath! Make sure to store at room temperature.

This is not an elegant cake, frankly it looks like a mess. But it’s a mess of chocolate that you can eat, and you bet it is delicious. In our opinion it’s one of the easiest most impressive desserts you’ll ever make. Enjoy and let us know in the comments below how it turned out!

It’s almost Cinco de Mayo! If you’re unaware here’s a little background. The holiday itself is an annual celebration held on May 5. The date is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army’s unlikely victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza. Traditionally, this holiday is not celebrated as widely in Mexico as it is in the United States. The common method of celebration is with Mexican food, chips, and margaritas. Though we do love those, too, we got a little creative and we came up with this awesomely tasty Mexican inspired Tequila Coffee. This is perfect for that 5 o’clock thirst you may have on a Friday afternoon. It also works great as an after dinner treat too.

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces of hot brewed coffee
• 1 ounce of coffee liqueur (Kahlua)
• 1 1/2 ounces tequila (tequila- rose cocoa cream)
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 ounce whipped cream
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder (garnish)
• 2 chocolate-covered coffee beans (garnish) (optional)

Directions:

• Add the coffee, liqueurs, and sugar to your mug, then top with whipped cream. Finally, sprinkle the cocoa powder on the cream and enjoy!

We hope you love this delicious treat as much as we did making it. How did yours turn out? Let us know in the comments below!