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Two glasses of kaffir lime iced coffee with coconut milk layers and fresh kaffir lime leaf garnish on a teak surface

Kaffir Lime Iced Coffee with Coconut Milk

Cold-brewed coffee meets kaffir lime leaf syrup and coconut milk for a floral, bold iced coffee you won't find at most cafes.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Coffee Drink
Cuisine: Thai
Calories: 155

Ingredients
  

Kaffir Lime Syrup
  • 80 g white sugar about 6 tablespoons
  • 80 ml water 80 g
  • 8 leaves fresh or dried kaffir lime leaves bruised or torn
Iced Coffee
  • 240 ml cold brew concentrate store-bought or homemade, 1:4 ratio
  • 120 ml full-fat coconut milk from a can, stirred well
  • 1 cup ice cubes large cubes preferred
  • 4 tbsp kaffir lime syrup (from above) 2 tbsp per glass, adjust to taste

Method
 

Make the Kaffir Lime Syrup
  1. Tear or fold each kaffir lime leaf in half to crack the midrib and expose the oils. This takes 20 seconds and makes a noticeable difference in how much aroma the syrup develops.
  2. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes until the sugar is fully dissolved and the liquid is clear.
  3. Remove the pan from the heat and add the bruised kaffir lime leaves. Stir once to submerge them.
  4. Steep for 10 to 12 minutes - set a timer. At 10 minutes you get a clean floral note. Past 12 minutes bitterness starts to build and can't be reversed.
  5. Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean jar or heatproof jug. Discard the leaves. Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until fully chilled before using, about 20 minutes in the freezer or 45 minutes in the fridge.
Assemble the Iced Coffee
  1. Fill two tall glasses with ice cubes.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons of the chilled kaffir lime syrup to each glass and stir briefly to coat the ice.
  3. Pour 120 ml of cold brew concentrate into each glass over the syrup and ice.
  4. Pour 60 ml of coconut milk slowly along the inside edge of each glass. It will drift down through the coffee, creating a layered effect. Stir before drinking or leave layered for serving.
  5. Float one fresh kaffir lime leaf on top of each glass if serving to guests. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Bruise leaves before steeping - fold them gently in half to crack the midrib.
  • Strain syrup within 12 minutes; residual bitterness from over-steeping cannot be corrected.
  • Cold brew concentrate ratio: 1 part concentrate to 1 part water or coconut milk for a standard drink.
  • Large ice cubes (2-inch / 5 cm) melt slower and keep dilution low for 10-15 minutes.
  • Syrup can be doubled or tripled and refrigerated for up to 2 weeks in a sealed glass jar.