Give Your Iced Coffee A Pop Of Flavor With Fresh Herbs

On its own, iced coffee — even when you make it at home — is plenty refreshing, as are those fresh herbs you can use for anything. Pair the two together, and you'll have a match made in heaven . . . albeit a very caffeinated one. After all, your morning coffee is versatile enough to complement an assortment of herbs — and herbs are versatile enough to complement an assortment of drinks. Each herb adds its own distinctive — yet subtle — flavor perfect for your next morning ritual. 

As for the best options, mint is never a bad idea. With a sprig of fresh mint, you'll evoke the flavors of a classic mojito — all in one morning drink. Just look at mint tea for proof of the herb's prowess in beverages. Yet while mint is a tried-and-true option, other greens can similarly upgrade your iced coffee. Try fresh lavender for a floral-inspired twist. Or, opt for rosemary, cardamom, or even turmeric. Clearly, a variety of options can spruce up your drink, so it's best to get experimental. You should generally follow your gut to select the best choice. You may want to avoid some herbs, like cilantro and parsley. Once you decide on your herb of choice, the infusion process is easy as can be. Grab your gardening scissors, and you'll be sipping green in no time. 

One iced coffee, please — with milk, sugar, and a sprig of whatever your garden is growing. While fresh herbs are not the most mainstream of coffee accompaniments, they're incredibly easy to incorporate. Just like incorporating cookie spread in your iced coffee – we're looking at you, Biscoff — using fresh herbs calls for a quick infusion. Cut and wash a few sprigs of your herb. Then, add them to your coffee. For this step, you'll want your drink to be hot, so the flavors can fully meld. Generally, the more time the herb has in your coffee, the stronger the flavor. However, a few minutes should do the trick. Once you've utilized your herbs, you can then add ice — and your straw. 

Some recipes suggest the alternative step of making an herb-infused simple syrup. This option calls for heating water, sugar, and your herb over the stovetop, before straining the concoction. Given simple syrup's use of sugar, this route is surely the sweeter option, though the choice is yours. Herbs not only smell amazing but also have the flavor to match. With a coffee-herb combination, you may not wake up feeling refreshed. Yet just a few sips later, you'll be ready for everything the day entails.