How to Make Coffee Ginger: A Spiced Iced Coffee Drink

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your usual iced coffee into something warming yet refreshing—especially when you’re feeling under the weather—this Coffee Ginger recipe might be the answer. Originating from the Middle East and later adopted in Britain, this blend of coffee, spice, and ice cream isn’t just a novelty. It’s a drink some believe can help prevent colds, combining bold flavors with a touch of comfort.

To make Coffee Ginger, you’ll need 150ml of cooled dark roasted coffee (with sugar), 1 scoop (using a #16 ice cream scoop) of vanilla or coffee-flavored ice cream, 5ml of fresh ginger juice, a pinch of ground cinnamon, and 150g of crushed ice. That’s your full ingredient list. Blend the coffee, ice cream, cinnamon, and ginger juice, then pour over crushed ice for a chilled, spiced coffee treat.

What Is Coffee Ginger?

Coffee Ginger is a layered iced coffee beverage that combines strong, sweetened dark roast coffee with creamy ice cream, spicy ginger juice, and warm cinnamon. Served over crushed ice, it sits somewhere between a coffee float, a milkshake, and a spiced affogato. It’s thick, sweet, spicy, and cold all at once—designed to be both a dessert-like coffee drink and, reportedly, a remedy for colds.

Why Add Ginger and Cinnamon to Coffee?

The addition of ginger juice and cinnamon powder transforms standard iced coffee into something with aromatic warmth and a touch of spice. Ginger is often associated with soothing sore throats and aiding circulation, while cinnamon adds a sweet, woody note that complements dark roasted coffee. Though not backed by clinical trials, the combination has traditional roots in Middle Eastern and British folk remedies, where coffee with ginger was thought to help prevent colds.

How to Make Coffee Ginger Step by Step

Making Coffee Ginger is straightforward, but precision with the ingredients ensures balance:

• 150ml cooled dark roast coffee: Use a strong, sweetened dark roast (not espresso) that’s been chilled. Sweetness is important since the recipe doesn’t call for additional sugar.
• 1 scoop ice cream: Use a #16 ice cream scoop (approximately 1 large scoop) of either vanilla or coffee-flavored ice cream. This adds creaminess and sweetness.
• 5ml ginger juice: Freshly pressed ginger juice is ideal. Avoid bottled ginger syrup unless it’s pure juice.
• Pinch of ground cinnamon (cassia): Just a small amount for aroma and spice.
• 150g crushed ice: Fine, even crushed ice to chill and dilute the drink slowly.

Combine the coffee, ice cream, cinnamon, and ginger juice in a blender or shaker and mix until smooth. Pour the mixture over a glass filled with crushed ice. Serve immediately.

What Does Coffee Ginger Taste Like?

This drink is rich and multi-layered. The dark roast provides bold, possibly slightly sweet coffee flavor. The ice cream adds smooth dairy richness and further sweetness. Ginger brings a sharp, fresh heat, while cinnamon lends a warm, aromatic spice. The crushed ice tempers the intensity, making it refreshing despite the spice and sweetness. Overall, it’s like a spicy coffee milkshake designed for cool weather or sore throats.

Where Did Coffee Ginger Originate?

Though now a curiosity in specialty coffee circles, Coffee Ginger has historical routes stretching from the Middle East to Britain. It likely emerged as a spiced variation of coffee served hot, then adapted as an iced drink. Its inclusion of ginger—a known digestive and respiratory aid—and cinnamon aligns it with traditional drinks used to ward off illness, especially during colder months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh-ground coffee instead of pre-brewed coffee in Coffee Ginger?

No, this recipe specifically calls for 150ml of already brewed and cooled dark roast coffee—not freshly ground beans or espresso. Using fresh grounds won’t integrate properly in the blender, and the flavor won’t be balanced. The coffee should be sweetened already, as no extra sugar is added.

What kind of ice cream works best for Coffee Ginger?

The original recipe suggests using either vanilla or coffee-flavored ice cream with a #16 scoop (one large serving). Coffee ice cream enhances the coffee flavor, while vanilla provides a neutral creaminess. Both options complement the ginger and cinnamon spice elements without clashing.

Is ginger juice necessary, or can I substitute ginger syrup?

Ginger juice is preferred for freshness and potency, but if unavailable, you could use a pure ginger syrup. Avoid syrups with added artificial flavors or high fructose corn syrup, as they’ll alter the intended balance of spice and sweetness in the drink.

Can I make Coffee Ginger ahead of time?

It’s best served immediately after blending. The crushed ice will melt over time, diluting the flavors, and the texture may separate. For the best experience, blend and pour over fresh crushed ice right before drinking.

Does Coffee Ginger have actual health benefits?

Some traditions claim that coffee with ginger can help prevent colds, but there’s no scientific proof of this. However, ginger is known to support digestion and circulation, and may ease sore throats. The recipe isn’t a medicine, but it could offer mild comforting effects alongside great flavor.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Beans for Spiced Iced Coffee

For a Coffee Ginger with depth, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera or Yirgacheffe—both bright, floral, and citrusy, balancing the spice well. Alternatively, their Classic Blend offers a rounded, sweet profile that complements the ice cream and cinnamon. These beans, when brewed strong and sweetened, match the bold base the recipe requires. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.