Perfect Eiskaffee Recipe: Blissful German Iced Coffee

I ordered an Eiskaffe at my local Ice Cream Parlour in Bremen, Germany last year. I watched the owner prepare my iced coffee. He scooped cold, creamy vanilla ice cream into a tall glass, drowned it in cold coffee, and crowned it with a cloud of whipped cream.

One sip of that heavenly Eiskaffee and I knew I had to recreate this German masterpiece at for my website. Here's how you can make this irresistible Ice Cream Coffee that's been Germany's best-kept summer secret.

What is German Eiskaffee

Eiskaffee is Germany's beloved cold coffee drink. Cold coffee is poured over scoops of creamy vanilla ice cream, topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream, and finished with a dusting of cocoa powder or chocolate sprinkles.

You'll find this delightful treat at Eiscafés throughout Germany, where it shares menu space with other favorites like Spaghetti Ice Cream, Strawberry Sundae and Black Forest Sundae. The name tells the story perfectly-"Eis" means ice in German, while "Kaffee" is coffee.

This sweet coffee creation makes perfect sense in a country obsessed with coffee. Germans consume approximately 164 liters of coffee per person annually, making it the nation's most popular beverage. So naturally, Germans weren't about to let a little summer heat stop them from enjoying their favorite drink-they simply made it cooler and more decadent.

German Iced Coffee vs Iced Coffee in Europe

Europe offers several delicious versions of iced coffee, each with its own unique twist. German Eiskaffee likely stems from the Italian Affogato, where hot espresso is poured over vanilla ice cream. However, German Eiskaffee uses cold filter coffee instead of hot espresso and adds the signature whipped cream topping that Affogato lacks.

Greek Frappé takes a completely different approach, using instant coffee and water that's vigorously shaken to create a distinctive foamy texture. Ice cubes are added after the coffee mixture is whisked with milk and sugar, creating a refreshing frothy drink.

How to make German Iced Coffee

For the detailed instructions and exact measurements, please jump to the printable recipe card

Ingredients you will need:

• Coffee - You can use any coffee, filter, or even instant coffee work. Make sure it is chilled.
• Ice Cream - Vanilla ice cream is the classic, but you can use any ice cream you like.
• Whipped Cream, sugar, and vanilla extract (affiliate link)- at least 30% fat, so double cream of heavy cream can work as well.
• Cocoa Powder or Chocolate Sprinkles - to decorate.

Eiskaffee Recipe Steps:

1. Prepare the coffee (for example filter or even instant coffee). Leave to cool and chill in the fridge. In the meantime, whisk the cream until stiff with 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (affiliate link).
2. To assemble the drink: add two to three scoops of vanilla ice cream in a large glass, then pour over the cold coffee. Make sure to leave a little space for the cream. With a spoon add the whipped cream on top and then sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles or dust with cocoa powder.