Go Back

Easy Thai Iced Coffee with Cardamom and Cream

This refreshing Thai-inspired iced coffee combines strong brewed coffee with aromatic cardamom, sweet almond flavoring, and rich heavy cream. Served over crushed ice, it creates a smooth, sweet, and creamy coffee drink with a beautiful layered finish.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Very strong black regular-grind coffee enough to brew 4 cups
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 4 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon almond flavoring
  • Crushed ice as needed

Method
 

  1. Prepare the coffee. Combine the ground cardamom with enough regular-grind coffee to brew 4 cups of very strong black coffee. Brew using your preferred coffee maker.
  2. Sweeten and flavor. While the coffee is freshly brewed, stir in the sugar and almond flavoring until the sugar dissolves completely.
  3. Cool the coffee. Allow the flavored coffee to cool until lukewarm before pouring it over ice.
  4. Prepare the glasses. Fill four 12-ounce highball glasses halfway with crushed ice.
  5. Add the coffee. Pour the cooled coffee into each glass until approximately two-thirds full, leaving room for the cream.
  6. Finish with cream. Add approximately 1 tablespoon of heavy cream to each glass and stir gently for a creamy, evenly blended drink.
  7. Optional layered presentation. Instead of stirring the cream directly into the coffee, hold a spoon just above the coffee's surface and slowly pour the cream over it. This helps the cream float on top, creating an attractive layered appearance.

Notes

  • Strong coffee: Use a stronger-than-usual brew to maintain a bold coffee flavor after the ice begins melting.
  • Cardamom: Add the ground cardamom to the coffee grounds before brewing to infuse its warm, fragrant flavor throughout the drink.
  • Sweetness: Stir the sugar into the hot coffee so it dissolves thoroughly.
  • Cooling: Let the coffee reach lukewarm temperature before adding it to the crushed ice to reduce rapid melting.
  • Serving glasses: This recipe makes four servings using 12-ounce highball glasses.
  • Cream layer: Pour the cream slowly over the back of a spoon for a layered presentation. The layers may gradually blend as the drink sits.