Keto Iced Coffee: Make It Work With These Tips

Keto iced coffee is a tasty treat that's perfect for hot summer days and can easily be made at home. It's a low-carb variation on bulletproof coffee, typically made with coffee, ice, heavy cream, and a keto-friendly sweetener. Some recipes also include vanilla extract and MCT oil. The key to making it flavorful is in the sweetener – using a keto coffee syrup can make all the difference. You can also blend in more ketosis-boosting fats like MCT oil and coconut oil, or add keto-friendly flavorings like vanilla or cinnamon extract.

Choosing the right sweetener

The sweetener you use in your keto iced coffee will depend on your taste preferences and how strict your keto diet is. Some keto dieters are happy to use artificial sweeteners, while others prefer natural sweeteners.

Natural Sweeteners

Natural sweeteners are derived from plants and include stevia, monk fruit, erythritol, xylitol, and yacon syrup. These sweeteners are low in calories and carbs, and some may even help to lower blood sugar levels. Monk fruit, for example, is 100-250 times sweeter than regular sugar and contains no calories or carbs, making it a great option for keto dieters. Erythritol is another good option, as it's 80% as sweet as regular sugar but contains just 5% of the calories.

Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners such as sucralose (Splenda) and liquid allulose are also low in calories and carbs, but they are created in a lab rather than derived from plants. It's important to note that sucralose may not be suitable for baking, as it can produce harmful compounds when exposed to high temperatures.

Sweetness and Taste

When choosing a sweetener, it's important to consider the level of sweetness you want in your keto iced coffee. Some sweeteners, like monk fruit and sucralose, are much sweeter than regular sugar, so you'll only need a tiny amount. Others, like erythritol, are less sweet, so you may need to use more to achieve the desired taste.

It's also worth noting that some people find certain sweeteners have an unpleasant aftertaste. Stevia, for example, is a common sweetener that some people find bitter or overly sweet.

Mixing and Matching

You can also experiment with combining sweeteners to find the right balance for your taste buds. For example, you could try using a small amount of stevia along with a few drops of liquid allulose to sweeten your keto iced coffee.

Liquid vs. Granular Sweeteners

When making keto iced coffee, it's important to use a liquid sweetener or a granular sweetener that dissolves easily. Granular sweeteners that don't dissolve well will sink to the bottom of your drink, affecting the taste and potentially causing an unpleasant biting into granules.

Checking the Label

When choosing a sweetener, be sure to read the label carefully to check for added sugars or other ingredients that may impact your keto diet. Monk fruit sweetener, for example, is sometimes mixed with sugar, molasses, or other sweeteners, which can alter the total calorie and carb content.

Recommended Sweeteners

Some recommended keto-friendly sweeteners include:

• Lakanto Liquid Monkfruit Sweetener
• Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Coffee Syrup (vanilla or hazelnut)
• Lakanto Maple Syrup
• Liquid Stevia
• Erythritol
• Monk Fruit Sweetener

Using the right cream or milk

The type of milk or cream you use in your keto iced coffee is important, as it can affect the taste and texture of your drink, as well as its compatibility with the keto diet. Here are some tips and suggestions for choosing the right milk or cream:

Heavy Cream

Heavy cream is a popular choice for keto iced coffee. It has a high-fat content, which makes it ideal for those following intensive therapeutic ketogenic diets. Heavy cream also has a creamy texture and can enhance the flavour of your coffee. However, some people may find it too rich or greasy, especially if they are not used to consuming high-fat dairy products. If you are looking for a less greasy option, you can try using half-and-half, which is a combination of whole cow's milk and heavy cream. It has a similar texture to cow's milk but with fewer carbohydrates.

Dairy-Free Alternatives

If you are dairy-free or prefer a plant-based option, there are several keto-friendly milk alternatives to choose from. Unsweetened almond milk is a popular choice due to its low-carb content, pleasant flavour, and creamy mouthfeel. Coconut milk is another good option, but be sure to choose an unsweetened variety, as sweetened coconut milk can be high in carbohydrates. Macadamia nut milk is a more expensive option but has the lowest number of carbohydrates. It also has a creamy texture and a mild flavour that won't overpower your coffee.

Other Options

Other keto-friendly milk alternatives include flax milk, soy milk, cashew milk, and pea milk. These options tend to have slightly higher carbohydrate content than almond or macadamia milk but are still suitable for a keto diet in moderation. Avoid using cow's milk, goat's milk, or sheep's milk, as they contain high amounts of natural sugars that are not compatible with the keto diet. Oat milk and rice milk are also high in carbohydrates and should be avoided.

Customisation

When making keto iced coffee, you can customise the milk or cream to your taste preferences and dietary needs. If you are watching your calorie intake, you can use a smaller amount of heavy cream or substitute it with a lower-calorie milk alternative. If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can add a keto-friendly sweetener to your milk. Just be sure to check the nutrition labels and choose unsweetened varieties to avoid hidden carbohydrates.

Making cold brew coffee

Firstly, grind your coffee beans coarsely. If you're buying pre-ground coffee, go for a coarse setting. Avoid a fine grind as it will make the strained coffee gritty and muddy. You'll need a scant cup (or 4 ounces) of grounds for this recipe.

Next, combine the coffee grounds with water. The recommended ratio is 1:2 coffee to water, or 1 1/2 cups of grounds for every 3 cups of water. This will create a strong coffee concentrate, so you can dilute it with milk or water later. Stir the mixture to ensure the grounds are thoroughly saturated.

Now, let the coffee steep. Cover the container and leave it at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. The longer it steeps, the stronger the coffee will be.

Once it's done steeping, it's time to strain the coffee. Use a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a paper filter. You can also use a French press to strain the coffee.

After straining, store the coffee concentrate in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to a week.

When you're ready to serve, pour the coffee concentrate over ice. Dilute it with milk, water, or both, to taste. You can also add simple syrup or other flavourings if desired.

And that's it! You now have delicious, smooth, and bitter-free cold brew coffee.

Blending in ketosis-boosting fats

Choose the Right Fats

Selecting the right fats is crucial to boosting ketosis and creating a delicious, creamy coffee. MCT oil and coconut oil are excellent choices for this purpose. MCT oil, derived from coconut oil, has been shown to increase ketone production and provide an energy boost. Coconut oil is also a healthy fat that can help you feel full and energised throughout the day.

Bulletproof Coffee

A popular choice for keto enthusiasts is bulletproof coffee, which involves blending coffee with healthy fats. To make a keto iced bulletproof coffee, start with a room-temperature or chilled coffee base. Add ice cubes to your glass, then pour in your coffee. Next, add in your desired amount of MCT oil and/or coconut oil. You can also include grass-fed butter or ghee for an extra indulgent treat. Blend these ingredients together until they are well combined. This method will create a creamy, frothy coffee with the added benefit of boosting ketosis.

Customise with Flavourings

In addition to the ketosis-boosting fats, you can customise your keto iced coffee with flavourings. Try adding sugar-free liquid vanilla or cinnamon extract, or even a dash of keto-friendly syrup. A pinch of spices like pumpkin pie spice can also take your coffee to the next level. If you're feeling adventurous, blend in some sugar-free Nutella or peanut butter for a unique twist.

Control Your Macros

While adding healthy fats is essential, it's important to monitor your macros to ensure you stay within your desired ranges. Too much fat, even if it's a healthy source, can kick you out of ketosis. So, be mindful of your fat intake and adjust your recipe accordingly.

Experiment and Enjoy

Creating the perfect keto iced coffee is a fun and delicious experiment. Try different combinations of fats, flavourings, and sweeteners to find your favourite blend. Enjoy the process of discovering new tastes and textures, and soon you'll have a keto iced coffee that satisfies your cravings and boosts your ketosis!

Adding keto-friendly flavourings

Vanilla: A popular choice for keto iced coffee, vanilla extract or sugar-free syrup can add a sweet and creamy taste to your drink. You can also use vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.

Hazelnut: For a nutty twist, try adding sugar-free hazelnut syrup or hazelnut extract to your coffee. This can be a great way to bring a new flavour dimension to your drink.

Cinnamon: A dash of sugar-free cinnamon extract or cinnamon powder can give your iced coffee a warm and spicy kick. It's a great option if you're looking for something a little different.

Mocha: If you're a chocolate lover, simply mix cocoa powder into your filtered coffee to create a mocha-flavoured keto iced coffee. You can adjust the amount of cocoa to your taste.

Caramel: Whisking in some sugar-free caramel sauce can give your keto iced coffee a sweet and indulgent flavour. You can also use caramel-flavoured sugar-free syrup if you prefer.

Peanut Butter: For a unique and tasty twist, try whisking sugar-free peanut butter into your coffee along with the maple syrup. This combination can add a delicious creamy texture and a subtle savoury note.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but feel free to experiment with other extracts, syrups, and spices to find your perfect keto iced coffee flavour. Remember to always check the labels to ensure that your chosen flavourings are keto-friendly and free from added sugars. Enjoy your delicious and flavourful keto iced coffee!

Frequently asked questions