Iced long black is one of the boldest and most refreshing iced coffee drinks you can make at home. It combines double espresso with cold water and ice, creating a smooth but intense coffee flavor.
Unlike an iced Americano, the espresso is poured over water, which helps preserve the crema and rich aroma. If you enjoy strong coffee with minimal ingredients, this iced long black recipe is perfect for you.
A coffee fan knows that no flavor can compete with the taste, aroma, and crema of espresso. Espresso has ristretto, the shortest drink, and long black, the largest drink.
In this guide, you will learn what iced long black coffee is, how to make it at home, the best coffee beans to use, and how it differs from other espresso drinks.
What is an iced long black (lungo)?
An iced long black is a cold coffee drink made by pouring espresso over cold water and ice. This brewing method helps preserve the crema layer, which gives the drink its distinctive aroma and flavor.
Key characteristics of ice long black coffee,
- Strong coffee flavor
- Smooth and bold aroma
- Light crema on top
- Very low calories
- Simple ingredients
This drink is a larger version of iced espresso. Also, this drink contains a larger volume of espresso, and you can add flavors to improve its taste.
In other words, long black is the larger, more intense variation of espresso. That’s why it is named long black or Lungo.
Adding iced cubes makes it refreshingly cold and delicious.
Also, make another strong drink at home iced red-eye coffee.
How to make an iced long black coffee at home?
This iced long black recipe is quick, simple, and requires only a few ingredients.
It’s so delightful to make this wonderful cold coffee. It becomes more special when you feel down in sizzling hot weather, an iced long black is the perfect solution.
Also, I try to give you a very easy recipe for this flavor with no added flavors like vanilla or chocolate sauce.
Iced long black
Ingredients
- 60 ml espresso (two shots)
- 100 ml cold water
- half glass iced cubes
Instructions
- Make two shots of espresso
- Let espresso cool down preferably in the fridge.
- Add iced cubes to a large glass.
- Pour cold water into the glass.
- Now gently pour cold espresso into the glass and intact crema at the top.
- A glass of iced long black is ready.
Notes
Ingredients
- Two espresso shots (60 ml)
- Cold water (100ml)
- Iced cubes (half glass)
- Optionally, add a half cup of cold milk.
Instructions
- First, brew two espresso shots with the available brewer( espresso machine or coffee maker)
- Let the espresso cool down in the fridge for a few minutes.
- Add iced cubes to a large glass.
- Pour cold water into the glass and mix it.
- Now gently pour cold espresso into the glass and intact crema at the top. And get a good layer for perfect taste.
- You can add cold milk to get a creamy and less intense iced long black. Or, you can add sugar syrup to make it sweeter.
- A glass of iced long black is ready.
Some variations that you can make in this icy flavor. For a change, pour cold milk into the glass. It gives an iced latte version taste. Also, vanilla, caramel, or other flavors will make it sweet and less intense.
Instead of two espresso shots, brew one espresso shot to get a milder drink.
Also, check the iced breve recipe.
Some variations of the Iced Long Black
Although the traditional recipe is simple, you can customize the drink to suit your taste.
Milk Iced Long Black
Add a small splash of cold milk to make the drink smoother and slightly creamy.
Sweet Iced Long Black
Add sugar syrup or honey for a sweeter flavor.
Add flavors
You can also add flavored syrups such as:
- Vanilla
- Caramel
- Hazelnut
These variations turn the drink into a light-flavored iced coffee.
Calories and Caffeine in long iced black
An iced long black has almost no calories. However, if you add some flavors or sugar syrup, the calorie content will rise.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 5–10 |
| Caffeine | 120–130 mg |
| Sugar | 0 g |
Since it contains only espresso, water, and ice, it is a great option for people who want a low-calorie coffee drink.
Iced long black: Which coffee beans are suitable?
Usually, an espresso shot requires some strong coffee beans. You can use either Arabica or robusta coffee beans.
Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica beans are the most popular choice because they produce a smooth and balanced flavor with mild acidity.
However, Arabica is my preferred option when it comes to brewing espresso or a long black. A medium roast brews a balanced long black.
Robusta Coffee Beans
Robusta beans contain more caffeine and create a stronger, more bitter flavor with thicker crema.
Also, you can use strong robusta coffee beans for iced long black. These beans will make a robust coffee flavor with slight crema at the top.
What are the benefits of iced long black?
This drink is significantly delicious and highly caffeinated. It serves the best taste, aroma, texture, and slight crema.
You can drink many cups a day, since it has no calories. However, a double espresso means a high number of calories.
- Strong energy boost
It has around 126 mg of caffeine which is almost perfect for a day. Also, it energizes the body and boosts stamina.
- Very low calories
Unlike flavored iced coffees, iced long black contains almost no calories, making it suitable for people watching their calorie intake.
- Simple to prepare
You only need three ingredients, making it one of the easiest iced coffee recipes.
Additionally, adding water makes it more hydrating than an espresso.
Long black vs. Espresso vs. Ristretto: what’s the difference?
All three are similar coffee flavors with different cup sizes. Espresso is perhaps the most consumed flavor around the globe. It has an intense taste and aroma. The other two, ristretto and long black, are the different variants of Espresso.
A ristretto is a concentrated coffee beverage that is served in a cup half the size of a standard espresso cup. The long black coffee has the largest cup size; it is made larger by adding hot water.
| Coffee Type | Size | Flavor |
|---|---|---|
| Ristretto | Smallest | Very concentrated |
| Espresso | Small | Balanced and intense |
| Long Black | Larger | Smooth but strong |
We can say a long black drink is also quite similar to an iced Americano. The hot water slightly reduces the intensity of the Espresso.
Iced Americano vs long black: what is the difference
These two are almost the same drinks with a tiny difference in brewing processes. Even though a slight difference makes a massive difference to the taste and crema.
While preparing an iced Americano, first, an espresso shot is poured into the glass, and then cold water is added to it. Conversely, in long black cold water is added to the glass before pouring the espresso shot.
The difference in brewing method makes a significant difference in the taste and texture. A long black has a robust, bitter taste in the first few sips due to an espresso shot at the top.
And an iced Americano, which has a milder taste due to the cold water at the top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it usually tastes stronger because the espresso is poured over water, which keeps the crema intact.
Traditionally, it does not contain milk, but you can add a small amount if you prefer a milder taste.
Yes, you can use a Moka pot, AeroPress, or strong coffee maker to brew concentrated coffee.
Traditionally, iced long black is made with espresso shots because espresso provides a rich flavor and a creamy crema layer. However, if you do not have an espresso machine, you can use strong brewed coffee from a Moka pot, AeroPress, or French press as a substitute. The taste will still be bold, but it may not have the same crema as espresso.
Final thoughts
The iced long black recipe is perfect for coffee lovers who enjoy a bold and refreshing cold coffee without added sugar or heavy milk. As the hot weather approaches, save this recipe for the season.
Also, never forget to add some variations to your coffee, especially milk, to achieve a smoother, creamier taste.