How to Make Lily Anna Iced Coffee with Vibrant Emerald Hue

If you’ve ever ordered a ‘jade’ or ‘emerald’ iced coffee and ended up with something murky or just plain green-tinted, you’re not alone. Many so-called ‘colorful’ coffee drinks rely on artificial syrups or food coloring—but there’s a classic Italian-style iced coffee that achieves a true, vivid jade-green hue naturally, with real ingredients and zero artificial additives. This is that drink.

To make a proper lily Anna iced coffee—also known as ‘jade’ or ‘emerald’ iced coffee—you’ll need just seven ingredients, a few minutes, and crushed ice. The result? A strikingly colorful, sweet, minty-chocolatey, and ice-cold coffee drink that’s as visually appealing as it is refreshing.

What Is a Lily Anna Iced Coffee?

The lily Anna iced coffee—also called (‘jade iced coffee’) or (‘cold jade iced coffee’)—is a layered Italian-style iced coffee drink known for its vibrant emerald-green color and striking presentation. Unlike many artificially colored drinks, its hue comes from the combination of dark espresso, crushed ice, and a small measure of green crème de menthe. Topped with whipped cream and chocolate syrup, and sprinkled with colorful candy rice, it’s as much a dessert coffee as it is a refreshing pick-me-up.

Why It Looks Like Jade—and Tastes Like Mint Chocolate

The ‘jade’ color comes from layering chilled espresso over crushed ice, then adding a half-ounce of green crème de menthe (a sweet mint liqueur). This doesn’t just tint the coffee—it shifts the entire visual tone to a vivid, translucent green reminiscent of precious gemstones. The drink is then finished with a float of whipped cream, drizzled with chocolate syrup, and a light sprinkle of multi-colored candy rice (‘’), which adds both texture and a playful pop of color. When stirred, the layers combine into a smooth, cool, mint-chocolate coffee blend with a refreshing chill.

How to Make Lily Anna Iced Coffee – Step by Step

Here’s the exact method used to create this striking coffee drink, with all original quantities preserved:

• Start with a glass and fill it 80% full with crushed ice.
• Pour in a pre-sweetened iced espresso or cold brew coffee to fill about half the glass.
• Add ½ fluid ounce (1/2 OZ) of green crème de menthe (Green Creme De Menthe).
• Gently rotate and layer lightly whipped cream on top.
• Drizzle chocolate syrup over the whipped cream.
• Top with a small pinch of multi-colored candy rice (‘’).

Serve immediately. The recommended time to enjoy this drink is after a meal—as a refreshing, cooling dessert coffee.

Key Ingredients & Measurements

• Crushed ice: fills glass about 80% full
• Iced coffee (sweetened): 1 cup
• Green Crème De Menthe: ½ OZ (approximately 15ml)
• Whipped cream: to taste, layered on top
• Chocolate syrup: drizzled over cream
• Multi-colored candy rice : a small pinch for garnish

Expert Tips for Best Results

The original recipe notes an optional variation: you can also drizzle the green mint liqueur directly onto the whipped cream just before serving, rather than mixing it into the coffee. This creates a brighter mint note in the final sip and a more defined layered look. Also, for best visual effect, make sure your espresso is chilled or pre-brewed as iced coffee, and use freshly crushed ice to maintain the crisp, clean layers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is lily Anna iced coffee?

Lily Anna iced coffee, also called jade or emerald iced coffee, is a layered Italian-style iced coffee made with crushed ice, sweetened espresso, green crème de menthe, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and colorful candy rice. It’s known for its vivid green color and refreshing mint-chocolate flavor.

Do you need to use green crème de menthe?

Yes, the vibrant green color and mint flavor in lily Anna iced coffee primarily come from green crème de menthe (Green Creme De Menthe). About ½ OZ is added to the iced coffee for both taste and the signature emerald appearance.

Can I make this drink without alcohol?

The original recipe includes green crème de menthe, which is an alcoholic mint liqueur. There is no direct non-alcoholic substitute mentioned in the source, so omitting it will change both the flavor and color profile significantly.

What kind of coffee base is best for this drink?

The recipe starts with a pre-sweetened iced coffee or espresso. While it doesn’t specify the roast, a standard Italian-style espresso or dark roast blend works well to balance the sweetness and mint.

Is this drink meant to be stirred?

Yes, the drink is typically stirred before drinking to mix the layers—resulting in a uniform emerald-green coffee with mint, chocolate, and coffee flavors combined. The swirling is part of the experience.

When is the best time to drink lily Anna iced coffee?

According to the original text, this drink is best enjoyed after a meal. Its sweet, cool, and refreshing qualities make it an ideal dessert coffee.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Iced Lila Anna Coffee

For making a strong, sweet iced coffee base like the one used in lily Anna iced coffee, FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend is an excellent choice. This blend is designed specifically for espresso and iced applications, producing a rich crema and full-bodied taste even when brewed over ice. Alternatively, their Specialty Blend—based on Brazilian and Colombian beans—delivers familiar Italian-style flavors with a balanced profile that pairs well with milk, chocolate syrup, and mint liqueur. Both blends are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.