Red velvet cupcakes are, no doubt, a dessert lover's fave. The delicious rich flavor with classic cream cheese frosting always hits the spot when we're craving something sweet. Recently, we've started seeing this "flavor" (it's basically chocolate... ooh, red velvet debunked!) make its way into other treats like macarons and tiramisu (plus these 30 red velvet recipes). So today, we're stepping up our red velvet game and making a red velvet iced coffee with cream-cheese whipped cream. Frappucino addicts, you'll love this little twist on your go-to caffeinated beverage. And with the summer heat on its way, this drink will keep you feelin' breezy.
Ingredients:
-- espresso
-- cocoa powder
-- whole milk
-- heavy whipping cream
-- cream cheese
-- red food coloring
-- sugar (optional)
Tools:
-- espresso machine (we used a Nespresso)
-- milk steamer
-- standup mixer with whisk attachment
Instructions:
1. Make a shot of espresso and pour it into a glass filled with ice.
2. Steam milk, pour it into a separate glass, then mix in a heaping spoonful of cocoa powder and 20 drops of red food coloring.
3. Mix the heavy whipping cream in a standup mixer with the whisk attachment until it forms peaks. Add a spoonful of cream cheese and mix to blend.
4. Pour the milk mixture over the espresso and stir to combine. Top with cream-cheese whipped cream and a sprinkle of extra cocoa.
You can add the chocolate to the milk or the espresso. Either way, it tastes the same. To make the steamed milk, we used a handy milk steamer. If you don't have one, you can heat your milk up on the stove.
Pro tip: Whipped cream cheese mixes better than the kind that comes in a cube.
Mix the red velvet chocolate milk with the espresso and add the cream-cheese whipped cream on top for that red velvet flavor you know so well. If you prefer foam to whipped cream, or you want to test your skills at some latte art, save the frothy milk (this only works with a proper steamer) and top your coffee with foam at the end.
For an alternative option, you could try making this with strawberry Quik (do they even make that stuff anymore?)!
Or you could make it without the coffee for a red velvet hot chocolate.
Serve alongside cookies or a red velvet cupcake if you want to go all out (we do!).
What other red velvet treats are you making? Show us your recipes by tagging us on Instagram + using the hashtag #iamcreative!
Food Production and Styling: Roxy Taghavian and Anita Yung
Photography: Kurt Andre