Authentic Viennese Iced Coffee (Eiskaffee): A Stirred Classic Recipe

When the summer sun graces the historic streets of Vienna, there’s an undeniable surge in demand for one particular chilled delight: iced coffee. Every traditional Viennese coffeehouse sees its orders for this refreshing beverage soar, as locals and tourists alike seek a sweet, creamy escape from the heat. But not all iced coffees are created equal, and Vienna has its own unique, deeply cherished version.

Imagine bringing that very same authentic Viennese coffeehouse feeling straight to your home, easily and quickly. With our recipe for a delicious stirred iced coffee, you’ll be ahead of the game, crafting a truly delightful treat that stands out from typical cold brews or iced lattes. This isn’t just a drink; it’s an experience, a taste of Austrian tradition perfect for any warm day.

You can whip up this traditional Viennese stirred iced coffee in mere minutes using just four core ingredients. The secret to this yummy beverage’s significant creamy consistency lies in one key step: generously stirring high-quality vanilla ice cream directly into the freshly prepared coffee. This unique method creates a harmonious blend of rich coffee and smooth, sweet vanilla, offering a luxurious texture that’s simply irresistible.

While the stirred version holds a special place as the original Viennese iced coffee, it is indeed one of many delightful ways to prepare this popular cold treat. For instance, both the stirred and the unstirred iced coffee typically feature a robust double espresso shot, forming a strong coffee base.

Then there’s the beloved iced latte, a fantastic alternative for those who prefer a milky, often sweeter profile. It’s usually made with a single espresso shot, a hint of sweetened syrup, and generously replenished with cold milk, creating a refreshing ice-cold caffeinated drink with a milder coffee flavor. Each method offers a unique experience, but today, we’re focusing on the authentic creamy magic of the stirred Viennese classic.

Ready to master this easy recipe and impress your guests or simply treat yourself? Let’s gather our simple ingredients and dive into the steps.

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🥘 Ingredients for Your Stirred Viennese Iced Coffee

Crafting the perfect Viennese stirred iced coffee requires only a handful of readily available ingredients. The quality of each component will significantly impact the final taste, so we recommend choosing the best you can find.

• Espresso: The heart of your iced coffee. A double shot is traditional for its robust flavor. If you don’t have an espresso machine, a strong, freshly brewed black coffee from a Moka pot, AeroPress, or French press will also work beautifully, though the flavor profile might differ slightly.
• Ice cubes: Essential for chilling the coffee quickly and preventing excessive dilution. Using filtered water for your ice cubes can improve the overall taste of your drink.
• Cold water: Used to extend the espresso. Ensure it’s ice-cold to help maintain the coffee’s low temperature and refreshing quality.
• Vanilla ice cream: This is the star ingredient that gives the Viennese stirred iced coffee its signature creamy texture and sweet, comforting flavor. Whether homemade or store-bought, opt for a good quality, full-bodied vanilla for the best results.
• Whipped cream: (For garnishing) A generous dollop of freshly whipped cream is the classic crown for a Viennese iced coffee, adding an extra layer of indulgence and visual appeal.

See the recipe card below for exact quantities tailored for two servings.

🔪 Instructions: Crafting Your Viennese Masterpiece

Follow these simple steps to create a rich, creamy, and wonderfully refreshing stirred Viennese iced coffee that tastes like it came straight from a charming Viennese cafe.

Step 1: Flash Chill Your Espresso Base

To ensure your coffee is perfectly cold from the start, a technique called “flash chilling” is employed. Place 4-6 ice cubes into a sturdy metal pot or a heat-resistant container. Then, brew your double espresso shots (approximately 120 ml) directly over these ice cubes. Brewing hot espresso onto ice rapidly cools it down, locking in the flavor and preventing excessive dilution when more ice is added later. This method preserves the coffee’s strength and aroma.

Step 2: Extend and Prepare the Coffee Base

Once your espresso is flash-chilled over the ice, extend it by pouring ice-cold water directly into the same metal pot. Give it a gentle stir to combine, then set this coffee base aside. It should now be perfectly cold and ready for the next creamy step.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Concoction

Now for the magic! Grab a tall mixing bowl – its height will help prevent splashes. Add 2-3 generous scoops of premium vanilla ice cream into the bowl. Carefully pour the chilled, extended coffee base from your metal pot over the ice cream. Using an electric hand mixer, combine the two for approximately 15 seconds. This brief but vigorous stirring process is what emulsifies the ice cream into the coffee, creating that distinctive, velvety smooth, and creamy texture characteristic of a true Viennese stirred iced coffee.

Step 4: Serve and Garnish for Perfection

Once perfectly blended, transfer this luscious, creamy coffee mixture into your chosen serving glass. For the traditional Viennese touch, garnish generously with freshly whipped cream. For a lighter alternative, a swirl of cold milk foam makes an excellent, lower-fat option that still adds a beautiful finish. You can also add a sprinkle of chocolate shavings or a drizzle of chocolate syrup for extra decadence.

And just like that, you’re done! As you can see, this exquisite dessert drink comes together in no time at all. It’s not just a quick recipe; it’s a quick trip to a state of refreshing bliss. Enjoy every creamy, coffee-infused sip!

🥜 Substitutions and Variations

While the traditional preparation of a Viennese iced coffee specifically calls for a double espresso, there’s always room for personal preference and creativity. Don’t have an espresso machine? No problem! It’s perfectly possible to prepare this delightful drink using a strong black coffee brewed via a French press, Moka pot, or even an AeroPress. You can also experiment with a high-quality cold brew coffee for a less acidic, smoother base. Keep in mind that using different coffee types will result in a slightly altered, yet still delicious, taste profile.

Beyond coffee, consider these variations:

• Ice Cream Flavors: While vanilla is classic, don’t hesitate to try chocolate ice cream for a “Chocolate Iced Coffee,” or even hazelnut or caramel ice cream for a different twist.
• Sweeteners: If you prefer a sweeter drink, a dash of simple syrup, maple syrup, or a natural sweetener can be added to your coffee base before stirring in the ice cream.
• Dairy-Free Options: For those avoiding dairy, many excellent plant-based vanilla ice creams and non-dairy whipped creams are available that will still yield a rich and satisfying drink.

☕️ Beyond Stirred: Exploring Other Iced Coffee Methods

The world of iced coffee is vast and varied, with many delightful options to suit every palate. While the stirred Viennese iced coffee is a creamy, dessert-like experience, here are a few other popular methods:

• Stirred Iced Coffee (Original Viennese Iced Coffee): As described in this post, this is characterized by ice cream being vigorously stirred into the coffee, creating a homogenous, rich, and creamy texture throughout. It’s less about layers and more about blend.
• Unstirred Iced Coffee: A visually appealing alternative where scoops of vanilla ice cream are simply added to a tall glass of cold coffee. This method results in a lovely dark coffee with a beautiful light vanilla ice cream color accent floating on top, offering distinct textures and temperatures with each sip.
• Iced Coffee with Cold Brew: Utilizes cold brew concentrate, which is coffee steeped in cold water for an extended period. This results in a less acidic, naturally sweeter, and smoother coffee concentrate that can be diluted with water or milk and served over ice.
• Iced Latte: A milk-based iced coffee drink. It typically involves a shot of espresso, often sweetened with syrup (like vanilla or caramel), topped with ice and filled with cold milk, creating a refreshing and milder coffee experience.
• Italian Iced Coffee (Caffè Affogato): While not strictly an “iced coffee” in the same sense, the classic Italian Affogato is a strong espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla (or other flavor) ice cream, often eaten with a spoon as a dessert. Sometimes, it’s served with more ice, making it similar to a stirred iced coffee but often less diluted.
• Chocolate Iced Coffee: A simple yet decadent variation where chocolate ice cream replaces vanilla, or chocolate syrup is added to the coffee base, creating a rich, cocoa-infused iced coffee.

🍽 Essential Equipment for Your Iced Coffee

Making your Viennese iced coffee is a straightforward process, and you won’t need much specialized equipment. Here’s what will help you achieve the best results:

• Tall mixing bowl: Ideal for comfortably combining the coffee and ice cream with a hand mixer without splashing.
• Electric Hand mixer: Key for achieving that signature creamy, smooth, and homogenous texture. A whisk can work, but a hand mixer is much more efficient.
• Metal pitcher: Excellent for brewing espresso directly over ice and for chilling your coffee base quickly.
• Ice cream scoop: For easily portioning your vanilla ice cream.
• Drinking glass: A tall, elegant glass is perfect for serving and showcasing your beautiful iced coffee.

🌡 Storage Recommendations

For the ultimate refreshing experience, we highly recommend preparing this stirred Viennese iced coffee fresh, right before you intend to enjoy it. The beauty of this drink lies in its vibrant chill and creamy texture, which are best appreciated immediately after preparation.

Leaving the ready-mixed iced coffee to sit for a long time will unfortunately cause the ice cream to melt completely, diluting the coffee and leading to a less desirable, watery consistency. It will also lose its invigoratingly cold temperature, diminishing its refreshing effect significantly. While you can prepare the espresso base ahead of time and chill it in the fridge, the final step of stirring in the ice cream should always be done just before serving.

🥛 How to Create Perfect Cold Milk Foam

If you prefer a lighter garnish or simply love the texture of milk foam, you can easily create cold milk foam as a fantastic alternative to whipped cream. Here are three simple methods:

Variant 1: The Cocktail Shaker Method

If you own a cocktail shaker, this is an effortless way to achieve frothy cold milk. Simply add ice cubes and your preferred milk (full-fat milk tends to yield the best foam) into the shaker. Close it tightly and shake vigorously for about 30-60 seconds until the milk becomes visibly foamy. Carefully pour the foam over your iced coffee.

Variant 2: The Shake-in-Container Method

For a low-tech approach, take your milk container (or a jar with a tight-fitting lid) directly out of the fridge. Ensure it’s about half to two-thirds full to allow space for frothing. Shake it well for 1-2 minutes until a good amount of foam has formed on top. Carefully spoon the rich milk foam from the container over your drink.

Variant 3: The Electric Milk Frother

The easiest and often most consistent method is using an electric milk frother. This handy device, whether handheld or a countertop model, can quickly froth cold milk in a small jug or directly in your serving glass, producing light and airy foam with minimal effort. Simply immerse the whisk into the cold milk and activate until desired frothiness is achieved.

🇦🇹 A Deep Dive into Viennese Coffee House Culture

The tradition of Viennese coffeehouse culture is not merely about serving coffee; it’s an intangible cultural heritage, recognized by UNESCO, characterized by a truly special and inimitable atmosphere. These establishments are far more than just cafes; they are institutions that have shaped social, intellectual, and political life in Vienna for centuries.

Typical features of a classic Viennese coffeehouse include elegant marble-topped tables, where coffee is meticulously served, along with iconic bentwood Thonet chairs, cozy booths (boxes), dedicated newspaper tables laden with local and international papers, and intricate details of interior decoration often in the Historicism style. The essence of these coffee houses is perfectly captured by the saying: they are a place “where time and space are consumed, but only the coffee is on the bill.” Patrons are encouraged to linger for hours, read, converse, or simply observe, without feeling rushed.

The captivating history of the Viennese coffeehouse began towards the end of the 17th century, a period closely linked to the second Turkish siege of Vienna in 1683. Legend has it that the first Viennese coffeehouse was founded by an Armenian spy named Johannes Theodat (also known as Deodato), who was entrusted by the Viennese court with the preparation and sale of coffee. He was among the first to receive a license to serve this exotic new beverage to the public. The business steadily grew, and by 1720, Kramer’s coffee house on the Graben made history by being the first to offer newspapers to its guests, cementing the coffeehouse’s role as a center for information and intellectual exchange.

However, the early 19th century presented significant challenges. From 1803 to 1813, Viennese coffee makers were severely tested by Napoleon’s Continental Blockade, which heavily restricted trade with England. The duty on coffee beans became so astronomically high that they could hardly be afforded. When Austria joined the trade blockade in 1808, many Viennese coffee houses were on the verge of financial ruin. Yet, this challenging period also brought about a notable shift: for the first time, coffeehouses were granted permission to serve wine and hot food, expanding their offerings and ensuring their survival. With the eventual end of the trade embargo, coffee once again flowed freely.

Initially, coffee houses were primarily reserved for men, serving as male-dominated public spaces. This changed significantly in 1856 when women were finally permitted entry, transforming these establishments into more inclusive social venues. The coffee house subsequently flourished, becoming a crucial place for transnational literary communication and playing a not insignificant role in politics, serving as meeting points for artists, writers, politicians, and revolutionaries.

To preserve and promote this invaluable heritage, the Club of Viennese Coffeehouse Owners was founded in 1956. This association comprises both traditional and innovative coffeehouses across Vienna, working together to safeguard the unique culture. One of its most important tasks is the promotion of cultural projects within the coffee houses themselves. Regular joint training courses and excursions are undertaken among members to deepen professional knowledge and cultivate sociability, ensuring that the art of coffeehouse management and hospitality continues to thrive. The Club acts as a central point of contact for all those interested in Vienna’s profound coffee culture.

Source: unesco.at

✈️ 8 Famous Traditional Viennese Coffee Houses to Visit

To fully immerse yourself in Vienna’s coffee culture, here are some renowned coffee houses that embody the traditional Viennese spirit. Each offers a unique glimpse into this cherished way of life:

• Café Diglas
• Café Landtmann
• Café Central
• Café Hawelka
• Café Sperl
• Café “Alt Wien”
• Café Westend
• Café Schwarzenberg

If you make this delightful stirred Viennese iced coffee recipe, please let me know how you liked it by giving it a ★★★★★ star rating and leaving a comment below. Your feedback would be absolutely awesome! You can also sign up for our Newsletter to receive weekly delicious homemade recipes, or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @combinegoodflavors and use the hashtag #combinegoodflavors, so I don’t miss your fantastic work!

📖 Recipe

Best Iced Coffee – Viennese Iced Coffee Stirred

Nora

Get the authentic Viennese coffeehouse feeling easily and quickly to your home. Stir up a delicious traditional Viennese iced coffee in minutes with four ingredients only. This yummy beverage gets its significant creamy consistency by stirring the vanilla ice cream into the coffee!

5 from 203 votes

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Prep Time

5 minutes
mins

Total Time

5 minutes
mins

Course
Dessert, Drinks

Cuisine
Austrian

Servings

2
Servings

Calories

274
kcal

Equipment

• Tall mixing bowl
• Electric Handmixer
• Metal pitcher
• Ice cream scoop
• Glass
  for serving

Ingredients

• ½
  cup
  Espresso
  or strong coffee, black
• 6
  Ice cubes
• 1
  cup
  Cold water
• 4
  Scoops
  
  Vanilla ice cream
  
  homemade or store bought

Garnish

• 
  Whipped Cream
  
  or cold milk foam

Instructions

• Fill 4-6 ice cubes into a metal pot and brew two double espresso (about 120 ml) directly on the ice cubes into the metal pot.
  ½ cup Espresso,
  6 Ice cubes
• Then extend the espresso with ice-cold water directly in the metal pot and set it aside.
  1 cup Cold water
• Use a tall mixing bowl and add 4-6 scoops of vanilla ice cream. Pour the prepared extended coffee into the bowl and combine the two with the mixer for about 15 seconds.
  4 Scoops Vanilla ice cream
• Transfer the creamy mixture into a serving glass and garnish with whipped cream.

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Keyword
best homemade iced coffee, best iced coffee, stirred iced coffee, viennese coffee

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Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

Serving:
1
Serving

|

Calories:
274
kcal

|

Carbohydrates:
31
g

|

Protein:
5
g

|

Fat:
15
g

|

Saturated Fat:
9
g

|

Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g

|

Monounsaturated Fat:
4
g

|

Cholesterol:
58
mg

|

Sodium:
114
mg

|

Potassium:
292
mg

|

Fiber:
1
g

|

Sugar:
28
g

|

Vitamin A:
556
IU

|

Vitamin C:
1
mg

|

Calcium:
174
mg

|

Iron:
0.1
mg

⛑️ Food Safety Guidelines

Ensuring food safety is paramount when preparing any meal or drink. Please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Cook or prepare ingredients to a minimum safe temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) where applicable (though not strictly for this cold drink, it’s good general practice).
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked or prepared food that previously touched raw ingredients, to prevent cross-contamination.
• Always wash your hands thoroughly after touching raw ingredients or before handling food.
• Avoid leaving perishable food, like ice cream or dairy, sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
• Never leave cooking food unattended (general kitchen safety).
• Use oils with high smoking points to avoid harmful compounds if you’re cooking other elements in the kitchen (general kitchen safety).
• Always ensure good ventilation when using a gas stove (general kitchen safety).

For further comprehensive information on safe food handling practices, check the official guidelines from Safe Food Handling – FDA.