Coffee Milk

Ingredients

• 475 ml (2 cups)milk
• 1 cupice
• 45 ml (3 tablespoons)coffee syrup

Instructions

1. 1

   Simmer the syrup

   To make the coffee milk syrup, add the coffee and sugar to a saucepan and bring to the boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, then leave it to cool completely; it will thicken as it cools.

2. 2

   Add the ice

   Put ice into two glasses, then pour in the milk.

3. 3

   Pour in syrup

   Add 1½ tablespoons of cooled coffee milk syrup to each glass, or adjust the amount to taste.

4. 4

   Stir and serve

   Stir each glass well and enjoy.

What is coffee milk?

Coffee milk is a cold milk drink sweetened with coffee syrup, closely associated with Rhode Island. It is a simple American classic, often enjoyed as an everyday drink rather than treated like a carefully layered café coffee.

This version keeps the method straightforward: pour milk over ice, add syrup and stir. The syrup makes it easy to control the coffee flavour and sweetness in each glass.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 182 calories, 8g protein, 32g carbs, 2g fat.

The milk provides most of the protein, while the syrup supplies much of the carbohydrate and sugar; the milk contributes most of the fat. Pair a glass with fruit or a savoury snack if you want a more filling plate.

The role of the syrup

Coffee syrup: The recipe uses ready-made syrup for the glasses. The method also describes simmering coffee and sugar to make syrup, but does not give quantities for those ingredients.

Getting the balance right

Start with 1½ tablespoons of syrup per glass, then taste and add more if you prefer a stronger, sweeter drink. Stir thoroughly so the syrup does not settle at the bottom.

Serve it cold

Ice: Add the ice before pouring in the milk so the glasses are chilled from the start. Serve soon after stirring, while the drink is cold and the ice has not diluted it too much.

A quick drink to pair

Coffee milk is easy to serve alongside breakfast or a snack. Its sweetness pairs well with plain toast, a biscuit or a less-sweet pastry.

Recipe notes & tips

• Chill the milk beforehand for a colder drink with less reliance on ice.
• Stir right before serving to distribute the syrup evenly.
• Add syrup gradually so you can adjust the sweetness to your taste.
• Use two glasses and divide the milk and ice evenly.
• If making syrup from scratch, cool it completely before adding it to the milk.

Variations

• Stronger coffee flavour: Add a little extra syrup and stir well.
• Less sweet: Begin with less syrup and add more only after tasting.
• Creamier drink: Use whole milk in place of a lower-fat option.
• Dairy-free version: Use an unsweetened plant-based milk that you enjoy drinking cold.
• Blended coffee milk: Blend the milk, syrup and ice until frothy.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Adding warm syrup: It can warm the milk; cool it completely first.
• Pouring in too much syrup at once: Start with the stated amount and adjust after tasting.
• Skipping the stir: Syrup can collect at the bottom, so mix thoroughly before drinking.
• Leaving it to stand: Ice melts and dilutes the drink; serve soon after preparing.

How to store

Coffee milk is best made just before serving. If you have leftovers, cover and refrigerate them and drink within a day; stir before serving, and avoid reheating.

Frequently asked questions