January 31, 2014

Viennese Iced Coffee

I started 2013 with a restaurant review.  And I almost went the same route this year but eventually decided against it and instead opted for a cold, frothy drink.  Oddly enough, I keep craving icy treats in cold weather when that should normally happen in scorching temperatures.  But what could be better than coffee and ice cream paired together in one wicked frozen drink?  


 
On a cold, snowy afternoon, we were watching this brilliant yet deeply sad French drama ("Three Colors: Blue" – a must-see especially if you’re a fan of French cinema or foreign films in general) with our friends Gretchen and Joel.  At one point in the movie, the main character goes into a coffee shop and orders “her usual” – coffee and ice cream.  In a nutshell, it was a small cup of coffee that the woman ever so slowly pours over the side of ice cream; but that was all I needed – I was instantly thirsty for Viennese Iced Coffee!  The very next day, in arctic temperatures, I went and bought a huge container of ice cream (yes, I’m one of those peculiar people who don’t have any ice cream in the freezer because I could devour it by the ladle) and whipped up Viennese Iced Coffee, a really tasty frozen coffee beverage very popular in Viennese coffee shops that I haven’t sipped in an extremely long time!





I may or may not have mentioned that I’m a voracious coffee drinker!  In the morning, I usually go for a double espresso if I’m in the vicinity of a Starbucks or the dark and intensely smoky French Roast coffee when I’m at home.  Needless to say, I love coffee in desserts.  This particular Viennese Iced Coffee recipe has the best of both worlds.  It’s a dessert type of drink with very strong coffee and ice cream, which adds a delightful sweetness and vanilla-infused creaminess.  Not to mention that this cold drink is the perfect afternoon sweet treat that will give you the right amount of caffeine to power through the rest of your day.  And if you’re in the mood for happy hour, adding a splash of Amaretto or Irish Cream would work wonders.  Cheers!   





Viennese Iced Coffee
Adapted slightly from Barefoot Contessa Foolproof by Ina Garten 

Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:

·         6 (1-ounce) shots of espresso or 6 ounces strong coffee, regular or decaf
·         3 Tablespoons sugar
·         1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
·         ¼ cup hot water
·         2 cups ice
·         4 scoops vanilla or coffee ice cream
·         Unsweetened cocoa powder or bittersweet chocolate shavings
·         Straws, for serving




Instructions:

Combine the coffee, sugar, vanilla extract, and hot water in a blender and stir until the sugar dissolves.  Put the ice in the blender and process on high until the mixture is almost completely smooth.  Divide the mixture between 4 glasses.  





Scoop one ball of ice cream into each glass.  Using a small sifter, sprinkle each drink lightly with cocoa powder or decorate with a few chocolate shavings.  Serve with a straw and a teaspoon.   





Poftă Bună! (Bon Appétit!)

23 comments:

  1. I like the cold frothy drink direction!

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  2. It's similar to affogato, which is one of my favorite desserts! I never had this, but I do love iced coffee with all my heart, lol! Looks fantastic.

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    1. Hi Paula! You're so right – it's definitely similar to affogato but with a few more twists. And if you like affogato, you'll definitely love this Viennese Iced Coffee too :)

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  3. I love viennese iced coffees I've been missing them since the local cafe that made them shut down. I rarely keep ice cream in my flat either, far to dangerous! but this will be the first thing I make as soon as I lapse and buy a tub!

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    1. Thank you so much, Jenny! Yeah, I'm hopeless when it comes to ice cream too :) But I think you'll love this drink :)

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  4. Hi Dana! I love coffee and ice cream and I can’t wait to try your new recipe! I also like French movies so this would be the perfect treat :) Laura

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  5. Yup, I can't have ice cream in the freezer for more than 3 or 4 days. In fact, I just rearranged the contents of our freezer to "hide" the ice cream.

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    1. Hahaha! That's hilarious, Katy; I totally agree – ice cream is a dangerous thing. I need to hide it too :D

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  6. Exquisite! That is one fabulous drink/treat.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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    1. Thank you so much, Rosa! It's super tasty :)

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  7. I haven't seen any of those 'Three Colours' movies. I remember when they were released and everyone who saw them kept saying how sad they are. A lot of French films tend to be sad, sad, sad. I love the look of your iced coffee and this must be so refreshing with all the heat xx

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    1. Hi Charlie! I know, the movies in the "Three Colors" trilogy are quite intense and sad but worth watching... This drink is definitely so refreshing especially when it's hot outside, which I can't really say about Pittsburgh right now. So, please send some heat our way :)

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  8. Looks like a yummy drink no matter what the weather!

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    1. Thank you so much, Liz! Totally agree – it's a delicious drink regardless of the weather :)

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  9. What a gorgeous drink, so refreshing :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  10. Ice cream doesn't last long in our freezer either! Great looking drink -- looks wonderful. Thanks.

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    1. Thank you so much for the lovely comment! :)

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  11. Hi Dana,

    Greeting from the hot and summer Australia!!! We have been having terrible sleepless summery nites due to the prolong heat wave... These delicious iced coffee are exactly what we need...

    sweat sweat...

    Zoe

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    1. Hi Zoe! You would love this drink and please send that heat wave to Pittsburgh :)

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  12. I made your viennese iced coffee the other day and it was absolutely amazing :) My sister loved it and is trying your recipe over the weekend! Laura

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    1. Thank you so much, Laura! So happy to hear that you made and loved this Viennese Iced Coffee! It's drink and dessert all in one :)

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