Nitrate & Nitrite Free Herbal Iced Coffee with Fresh Herbs
This refreshing iced coffee gets its magic from a homemade herb simple syrup — just water, sugar, and a handful of fresh mint, basil, or rosemary steeped until fragrant and beautifully tinted. Because everything is made from scratch with whole, recognizable ingredients, there's no need to second-guess store-bought flavored syrups or coffee creamers that often sneak in unwanted additives. The steeping process is genuinely easy: dissolve the sugar, add your herbs, wait about half an hour, and strain. What you're left with is a clean, aromatic syrup that layers beautifully over cold coffee and milk. The herb choice is where things get fun — mint gives a cool, classic coffeehouse vibe, basil adds a floral sweetness, and rosemary brings something a little more unexpected and sophisticated. Poured over ice with a splash of milk and a fresh sprig for garnish, this drink looks like something you'd pay too much for at a café. It's the kind of recipe that makes a slow weekend morning feel genuinely special.
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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.
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