When the sun’s beating down at the height of summer, nothing hits just right like a glass of iced pour over coffee. Crisp, full-flavored, and refreshing, it’s the ultimate warm weather pick-me-up.
We’ll show you how to make delicious iced coffee, step-by-step, with the Bloom Pour Over Coffee Brewer. No hassle. No crazy technique. Just a simple, go-to recipe.
In this quick guide, we’ll cover…
- Why “flash chilled” iced coffee tastes so good
- A no-fuss guide to perfect iced coffee
- Troubleshooting tips to make your brew taste better
By the end, you’ll be equipped with all the knowledge you need to make the most of warm afternoons by the pool, on a road trip, or just hanging at home.
Let’s dive in!
First: Why “Flash Chilled” Iced Coffee Tastes Different
Iced pour over coffee is fundamentally different from other kinds of iced coffee. The old way of making iced coffee was to brew it hot, then stick it in the fridge to cool.
That was a problem.
Hot coffee breaks down its delicate sugars, mild acids, and rich flavors over the course of a few hours because the tiny molecules are shaking rapidly. The aromas also fly off into the air after about an hour or so. It ends up tasting like a dull, bitter mess.
The new(er) way of making iced coffee, “flash chilling”, does away with that problem.
By brewing the coffee hot, then allowing it to drain directly over ice, you stop that rapid decay—the most delicate and fresh flavors are preserved.
That’s why iced pour over coffee tastes just as rich and complex as any hot coffee. If you’re making iced coffee, this is the way to do it.
Read: Battle of the Brews: Hot, Iced, and Cold Brew Coffee Explained
Guide: A Bloom Pour Over Iced Coffee Recipe
Our friends at Methodical Coffee created this stellar iced pour over coffee recipe that uses our Bloom Pour Over Coffee Brewer. It’s so delicious, we had to share it.
Here’s what you need:
- Bloom Pour Over Coffee Brewer
- Water kettle
- Measuring device (kitchen scale is ideal)
- Coffee grinder
- 28.5g Coffee (roughly 6 tablespoons)
- 300g Hot Water
- 175g Ice
Step 1: Measure Your Ingredients
Start by measuring 28.5 grams of whole coffee beans, then grind them at a coarse setting. Heat 300g of hot water in a kettle, then drop 175g ice in your glass.
Set the ESPRO Bloom Pour Over Brewer over your glass, then dump the coffee in it.
Step 2: Start The Bloom (First Pour)
Gently pour 50g (50ml) of water over the grounds in small circles, saturating all of them evenly. Now wait for 30-45 seconds. If your coffee was roasted within the last few days, wait the full 45 seconds. If your coffee is over a week past-roast, just wait 30 seconds.
This is called the “bloom” stage. Waiting allows the grounds to expel the gas trapped within, which prepares the coffee for an even, flavorful extraction.
Step 3: Second Pour
Slowly pour hot water until you reach 225g total water weight, going over the grounds in slow circles, moving the water to the inside of the grounds, then closer to the brewer walls, and back again.
As the brewer begins to become full, wait again ~10 seconds for the water to drain.
Step 4: Third Pour
When the water level has lowered, pour the remaining 75g of hot water over the grounds.
Step 5: Let It Drain
The coffee should take 15-30 seconds to drain fully. Dispose of the coffee grounds, give the Bloom Pour Over Brewer a thorough rinse, and enjoy your delicious iced coffee 🙌
Troubleshooting Your Iced Pour Over Coffee
Everyone makes a mediocre cup now and then—it happens.
As long as you’re starting with freshly roasted, high-quality coffee beans, there are some practical steps you can take to make your next cup taste better. If you’re using old or pre-ground coffee, we suggest getting some fresher beans.
Read: Coffee Flavor 101: How to Taste Your Brew Like the Pros for Max Enjoyment
Here’s how to fix your brew.
- If your coffee tastes weak, it means you didn’t extract quite enough flavor from the grounds to produce a rich flavor. To extract more and produce a stronger flavor, try using a finer grind size.
- If your coffee tastes too sour, it also means you didn’t extract enough flavor, and the natural coffee acids haven’t been balanced out by the oils, sugars, and other flavors. Once again, we suggest a finer grind size.
- If your coffee tastes bitter, that indicates over extraction—you’ve gone past the sweet spot of brewing. It’s an easy fix: next time you brew, use a coarser grind size.
Remember: It’s possible to over-shoot if you make big adjustments. Stick to small adjustments when you troubleshoot your brew, then mindfully taste the coffee to see if it worked.
If you’re not using the ESPRO Bloom Pour Over Coffee Brewer yet… why not?
- It’s made alongside the 2019 US Brewers Cup Champion for max consistency
- The unique design helps create a smoother, more balanced flavor
- You can use paper filters or brew with the built-in metal filter
It’s the most consistent and easy-to-use iced pour over coffee maker out there.
