How to Make Two Classic Iced Coffee Drinks: Black & White Iced Coffee

If you’ve ever stared at a glass of iced coffee wondering how to make it better—creamier, sweeter, or just more memorable—this guide is for you. We’re breaking down two distinctive iced coffee drinks with clear steps, exact measurements, and the flavor logic behind each choice. Whether you want a nostalgic blend of coffee and milk or a spiced Thai-style treat, you’ll get the precise method.

To make Black & White Iced Coffee, fill a glass with ice, add syrup, pour in milk, stir gently, then slowly layer over chilled coffee. For best results, use deep-roast coffee and chill your glass beforehand. That’s the whole method in one sentence—but we’ll show you how to refine it.

What Is Black & White Iced Coffee?

Black & White Iced Coffee (Iced au lait blanc et noir) is a visually striking layered drink where coffee and milk meet in a gradient. The name reflects the contrast: ‘noir’ for coffee, ‘blanc’ for milk. It’s designed to let you adjust the coffee-to-milk ratio until you find your ideal balance. The slight sweetness from the milk and optional syrup creates a comfortingly familiar iced coffee experience.

You can serve it in a regular glass or go for drama in a champagne flute. For an extra twist, chill your serving glass and pour sweetened condensed milk gently into the base before adding the rest. Keep your ratios flexible—there’s no single right answer.

How to Make Black & White Iced Coffee Step by Step

1. Fill a glass with ice cubes.
2. Add your preferred amount of sugar syrup.
3. Pour in cold milk and stir gently to combine.
4. Slowly pour chilled coffee over the back of a spoon or directly on top to create a layered effect.
Optional: Chill your glass beforehand. For a richer version, add 1–2 teaspoons of sweetened condensed milk to the bottom of the glass before the milk and coffee.

Americano Mazagran: A Historic Iced Coffee with a Twist

The Mazagran Americanno is a bold, sugar-free iced coffee inspired by a legend from Algeria, where French soldiers relied on coffee to survive. This version is intense and unsweetened, though you can adjust with syrup if desired. It’s a simple drink with military roots and a straightforward recipe that lets the coffee character shine.

The original story claims this drink helped sustain soldiers during conflict—today, it’s a crisp, refreshing option for purists.

Mazagran Americanno Recipe

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Pour in about half a cup of dark roast coffee (around 50–70ml).
3. Add 10cc (roughly 1 tablespoon) of fresh lemon juice.
4. Top with soda water.
Optional: Garnish with a lemon slice for extra refreshment. No sugar is added, but you can use syrup if you prefer it sweet.

Thai Iced Coffee: Spiced, Creamy, and Iconic

Thai Iced Coffee is the taste of summer in Southeast Asia—thick, sweet, creamy, and scented with warm spices. It combines strong brewed coffee with sweetened condensed milk, ice, and a hint of cardamom . The result is a dessert-like iced coffee that cools you down while delivering bold flavor.

It’s often served with a colorful paper umbrella and a straw, but the real magic is in the layers: spice, caffeine, fat, and ice all balanced in one glass.

How to Make Traditional Thai Iced Coffee

1. Brew an extra-strong coffee using a dark roast bean. Use about 1.5 to 2 times the coffee amount you’d normally use.
2. Grind the coffee and brew it through a filter along with fresh green cardamom pods.
3. Let the coffee cool naturally once brewed.
4. In a tall glass, dissolve 1–2 teaspoons of sugar in a small amount of hot coffee.
5. Add 5–6 ice cubes.
6. Pour the cooled coffee into the glass, leaving about 2cm of space at the top.
7. Use a spoon to hold back the ice while pouring in a small amount of lightly whipped cream (or substitute with sweetened condensed milk).
8. Drizzle the cream over the back of the spoon so it floats on top.
9. Insert a straw and optionally add a paper umbrella for presentation.

Alternative: Skip the cream and use sweetened condensed milk at the bottom of the glass, then add coffee and ice. This is common in Thailand. For a stronger brew, some mix ground coffee with cardamom and brew it directly in an espresso maker.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best coffee roast for Black & White Iced Coffee?

Use a deep-roasted coffee for both parts of this drink. Dark roasts bring out chocolatey, nutty, and caramelized flavors that pair well with milk and syrup. FrontStreet’s PWN Golden Mandheling is an excellent choice with its low acidity and bold body.

Can I make Mazagran Americanno sweet?

Yes. The traditional version is unsweetened, but you can add sugar syrup according to your taste if you prefer a sweeter drink. About 10–15ml of syrup is a good starting point for a single serving.

Why does Thai iced coffee have cardamom?

Cardamom is a traditional spice used in Thai and Southeast Asian cooking and beverages. It adds a warm, aromatic complexity that complements the strong coffee and creamy sweetness, giving the drink its distinctive flavor profile reminiscent of the region.

Should I chill my glass before making iced coffee?

Yes, especially for layered drinks like Black & White Iced Coffee. A cold glass helps keep the drink cooler longer and can enhance the visual effect of the layered pour.

Can I use non-dairy milk in these recipes?

You can substitute with plant-based milks, but the flavor and texture will differ. For best results with Black & White Iced Coffee, choose an unsweetened oat or soy milk with some fat content to mimic the mouthfeel of dairy.

What’s the ratio of coffee to milk in Black & White Iced Coffee?

There’s no fixed ratio—it’s meant for you to adjust. Start with equal parts coffee and milk, then tweak based on whether you prefer a stronger or mellower drink.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Iced Coffee Drinks

For iced coffee recipes like Black & White Iced Coffee and Thai Iced Coffee, try FrontStreet’s PWN Golden Mandheling—a low-acid, full-bodied dark roast with notes of herbs, nuts, and caramel. For a touch of chocolate and balance, FrontStreet’s Brazil Queen Manor offers hazelnut and cocoa tones with a sweet finish. Alternatively, FrontStreet’s Colombia Huila brings bright acidity and berry notes, ideal if you prefer a fruitier cold coffee base. All three are medium to dark roasts, well-suited for iced applications. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.