Cold coffee is a popular drink with Indian people in India and abroad, particularly in summer. It is simply coffee served cold, and it uses a mixture of instant coffee, sugar, and milk. Yogi Gupta, a retired engineer and retired restaurant owner based in Ohio, points out on his website, indiacurry.com, that cold coffee should not be confused with iced coffee or frappe, as it is a unique Indian coffee beverage starring instant coffee.
Cold coffee can also be served with ice, vanilla extract, and cream, according to Gupta. Cream in this case refers to whipped cream. Simple cold coffee, however, uses only milk, instant coffee granules, sugar, and a little water. Whipped cream, however, can be used as a topping to give it a cafe drink look, feel, and taste. Some Indian cafes and restaurants even serve it with vanilla ice cream. As a simple breakfast beverage and in the interest of using minimal fat, however, cold coffee is best prepared without any such flavorings or toppings, and is best as cold without ice. At best, such flavorings and toppings should be made optional, and reduced-fat varieties should be used as much as possible.
One cup of coffee, regardless of temperature, yields only 2.4 calories, according to 2008 information on the website, nutritiondata.com. Adding fancy toppings naturally increases the calorie content. It also goes without saying that the caffeine content stimulates the nervous system, which is why coffee in general should be consumed sparingly, and ideally, earlier rather than later in the day unless the individual is not easily affected by caffeine consumption.
This recipe will focus on cold coffee without ice and without vanilla extract. It is intended to be a simple breakfast beverage to go with fruit, yogurt, cereal, eggs, or granola bars. If individuals would like to add whipped cream and/or frozen yogurt or ice-cream, only low-fat varieties should be used, and the amount of sugar should be reduced or even eliminated, since even frozen yogurt and light ice-cream often contain sugar or sugar substitutes.
Ingredients & Preparation Tips
- Instant coffee should be used, such as Nescafe, since that cuts down on preparation time that would otherwise be spent on grinding and filtering the coffee. Furthermore, using instant coffee preserves the tradition of this beverage. Individuals should note the expiration date on the coffee. No more than a little under a tablespoon should be used, as coffee granules in large quantities taste bitter.
- Low-fat or fat-free milk should be used in order to improve the nutrition value of this coffee.
- Light-brown sugar can also be used since it is less refined than white sugar, and less refined products are healthier. It should be no more than one tablespoon even though there is a tendency to typically go overboard with the sugar often in order to counteract the bitter taste of the coffee granules.
- Water should initially be added to stir and blend the sugar and coffee granule mixture.
- If whipped or frozen toppings are used, sugar should be eliminated since these toppings do contain sugar or at least a sugar substitute.
Simple Cold Coffee
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee, such as the Nescafe brand
- 1/2 tablespoon light-brown sugar (omit if using any whipped or frozen toppings)
- 1 cup fat-free or low-fat milk
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 small dollop reduced-fat whipped cream, 1 small scoop low-fat vanilla or coffee ice cream or fat-free vanilla or coffee frozen yogurt (optional)
Directions:
- Add the coffee and the sugar.
- Add the water and stir until the coffee and sugar mixture is dissolved. Use only the coffee granules if using any toppings.
- Add the milk. Stir until well blended. Top with light versions of whipped cream, ice cream or frozen yogurt if using. Serve immediately with healthy breakfast foods.
This refreshing breakfast beverage serves 1, and the procedure should obviously be repeated if the individual wishes to make it for other people.
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