Don’t feel like going out to get that $5 iced coffee drink? No worries. This delicious recipe for iced coffee at home takes less than 5 minutes to make. Who doesn’t want to enjoy a proper iced coffee at home?

I tried the Galapagos coffee during a volunteer trip to the Galapagos. The cost is three times more to have it sent to the United States but well worth it. The taste is remarkable. Read about my voluntourism trip to San Cristobal Island here.

According to the website, only 5,000 bags are allowed for worldwide exportation each year from Hacienda El Cafetal on San Cristobal Island.

The inspiration for this DIY iced coffee recipe is from my travels and the different ways these destinations make iced coffee.

Let me take you on a melting pot coffee journey worldwide from San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands to the Middle East, Vietnam, and the United States. It’s coffee time!

DIY Iced Coffee Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup chilled espresso. I make a large batch using a 12-cup stovetop coffee maker to cut down prep time of coffee drinks during the week and store in a jug.

I stock up on a couple of pounds of the bird-friendly Galapagos organic coffee grown on San Cristobal Island from Tree Frog Coffees online.

I also switch between fair trade coffees that support conservation and sustainability initiatives to provide water and education to children.

Another thing I like to do is grind up a couple of cardamom pods and mix with the espresso before brewing on the stove.

The first time I had cardamom was during a trip to the Middle East.

I was intrigued by this beautiful aroma and was handed a small cup of espresso.

I don’t make a cup of espresso coffee without adding this spice.

The health benefits of cardamom, backed by science is not too bad either.

Used in traditional medicine and culinary dishes for centuries from India to Finland, cardamom helps with digestion, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lowering blood sugar levels, and preventing cavities.

Now, this is an excellent reason to add a dash of ground cardamom to your morning cup of joe and drink to your health.

Most stores sell cardamom in powder form. Pods can be bought at a Mediterranean store and stored in the freezer.

1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk. My favorite brand to use is Nestle Carnation.

1 teaspoon heavy cream powder (optional). I use Judee’s Heavy Cream Powder. It cuts down on waste as the heavy cream goes terrible after a couple of days.

Blend equal parts 1/4 cup of powder and water and let sit overnight. Great for adding to soups and sauces.

1 tablespoon orange blossom water. A bottle can be purchased at a local Mediterranean grocery store for $3. It’s more expensive if you buy online.

Directions

Put all ingredients in a blender for 15-30 seconds.

Another way to enjoy an iced coffee at home is by freezing the espresso in an ice cube tray ahead of time.

Combine four cubes with one cup of milk or nut milk, one teaspoon of maple syrup or sweetened condensed milk, a quarter teaspoon of freshly grated cinnamon, and blend for 30 seconds.

Pre Brew Coffee Spices

Make a pre brew spice combo to add to your ground espresso before brewing. The coffee spices add a little extra flavor with or without sweetener.

Measure out 1/4 teaspoon of chicory, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and a couple of dried orange slices and grind together using a Nutribullet or coffee grinder.

These spices help digestion and have anti-inflammatory properties. I make a large batch and store the coffee spices in a mason jar to use on a daily basis.