Artificial Food Coloring Free Herbal Iced Coffee with Fresh Herbs
Cold coffee drinks from cafés and bottled aisles are notorious for sneaking in dyes and artificial flavoring agents to achieve that picture-perfect color or shelf-stable sweetness. This version keeps everything clean by building flavor from scratch — strong brewed coffee, real milk, and a homemade simple syrup steeped with fresh herbs like mint, basil, or rosemary. The syrup gets its gentle tint entirely from the herbs themselves as they steep in the warm sugar water, so what you see in the glass is completely natural. That slow 20-to-30-minute steep is where the magic happens, coaxing out a fragrant, subtly sweet flavor that no artificial shortcut could replicate. Pouring it over ice with a splash of milk brings everything together into something that feels genuinely refreshing and a little elevated. It's the kind of drink that looks impressive on a summer afternoon but comes together with almost no effort at all.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
- 2 cups strong brewed coffee, cooled to room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk or dairy free milk
- 2 cups ice cubes
For the herb simple syrup
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves (or fresh basil or fresh rosemary sprigs)
For serving
- 2 fresh herb sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- 2
Add the fresh mint (or your chosen herb) to the hot syrup and press the leaves gently with a spoon to submerge them. Let steep for 20–30 minutes, until the syrup is fragrant and lightly tinted.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!