Making Eiskaffee Coffee, A German Love for Ice Cream

As long as Ice-Cream has been available in Europe, Ice-cream coffee has long been a favorite of parlors that serve desserts across Germany and Austria. You’re about to learn about a little-known German treat called Eiskaffee and how coffee and ice cream can make a great coffee drink.

Ice-Cream Coffee In Germany

The background of Eiskaffee can be dated back to 1879 when the process of making ice cream was invented in Munich, Germany by the Sarcletti family. They still make ice cream to this day and were shipping their new innovation to specialty restaurants and anywhere a business had access to ice or Freezers. Thanks to Carl von Linde (a German Scientist), he invented the first compressor-driven fridge a couple years earlier.

The treat is rather simple and is essentially one or two shots of espresso that is poured over any flavor of ice cream topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. If you’ve ever had a root beer float, it’s the same, just make it with fresh coffee or espresso. They make many commercial ice-cream coffee drinks on the market. A bad example is this version of ice cream with coffee in a can.

Most of the time these concoctions end up tasting like watered-down Bosco and taste just as revolting. All across Europe, you can find one brand that is as close to the taste of ice-cream coffee. It’s especially popular in Germany, Austria, and Hungary and recently has been imported to the UK. Some brands aren’t as lucky and have a similar taste, yet aren’t as tasty as the Hackwale Eiskaffee. Here’s a review of a copycat Eiskaffee brand in Germany.

The Origins Of Eiskaffee

There are many types of iced coffee all over the world, but Germany has a long-standing history of making a very special treat. It’s not recommended for kids, so most grown-ups will enjoy this caffeinated ice cream drink for all the right reasons. If you go to any coffee house or ice-cream parlor, you’ll be able to order a traditional Eiskaffee. Nothing beats a freshly made ice-cream coffee that is rich and creamy.

As history turns out, the Italians often get credit for making the Affogato which is chocolate or vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso added. It’s not exactly a large drink and is served in a coffee mug. The Eiskaffee is served in a large ice-cream cup that milkshakes are served in. The presentation of how you get this type of coffee drink is not only a treat for the senses, and also gives adults a kick out of being a kid again.

Can You Make The Ice-Cream Coffee At Home?

The key to making this dessert is all about using the right ingredients. You can’t use just any kind of ice cream either, because you’ll need to buy top shelf of ice-cream quality. Don’t settle for a brand that doesn’t have a rich flavor that will complement the coffee or espresso that you use. Then again, you’ll also need intense ice-cream flavors that will also go well with your choice of flavored coffee.

The choice of coffee is also a matter of using a very strong coffee that will add a kick to your ice-cream coffee. We recommend using an Italian espresso blend that delivers the highest standards and flavors. One brand that is very common for an authentic Eiskaffee is the Filicori Zecchini espresso coffee beans. They are certified by the Italian Espresso National Institute which earned the right to display their symbol on their packaging.

Another major ingredient is going to be your whipped cream, so do yourself a favor and forget grabbing the Reddi Wip or Cool Whip. You want to make your own whipped cream that is using three simple ingredients. We recommend following the instructions for making a homemade whipped cream and keep it chilled before using it. You’ve never tasted fresh made whipped cream that will top-off your ice-cream coffee dessert.

The very last ingredient is very subtle but so critical to making the flavors become a melody of sweet and strong through and through. One brand that you might consider is Schwarze Herren which is extra-bitter dark cocoa. In a pinch, you can use Ghiradelli 60% Cocoa Bittersweet Chocolate, which can be found nearly everywhere. It’s also a world-famous San Francisco chocolate that is just as good.

Great Eiskaffee Recipes