The Iced Coffee Problem

As fall winds down, I am taking in my last few precious iced coffees for the season. I miss iced coffee a lot over the winter, because I love to take long, refreshing sips of my drinks. Real coffee (or hot coffee) dictates that you take small dainty sips, otherwise you'd burn your mouth. Nothing better than a long gulp of icey coffee goodness. Iced coffee is simply more refreshing than hot coffee.

Which brings me to my problem.

What the hell is up with baristas, pourers, and iced coffee drinkers distributing and consuming LUKEWARM iced coffee?!

When I order an "iced coffee," from most establishments, I am given a lukewarm coffee drink with a few small bits of ice floating at the top. Often, this drink is not icey, but cool, or even lukewarm (yuck).
Behold:

(not my photo...I would immediately dispose of this nastiness.)

My personal solution to the problem is to always, ALWAYS order with "extra ice." I often get the side-eye from cashiers (because people normally want more drink for their buck, I guess), but I stand firm. My rule of thumb is that the cup should be filled AT LEAST hallway with ice before any coffee or milk is poured in.


Here are some recent examples of correctly poured iced coffees:

 

Notice my instructions clearly printed on the first drink. You can't really see the ice-line due to the writing, but I assure you the ice was correct. The coffee in the second photo was lovingly poured by my coffee cart guy who sets up shop on my corner every morning. He gets it, and I don't ever have to order extra ice from him. He will get his own post, but that's for another time.

In conclusion, next time you go for an iced coffee, ask for extra ice. You won't be disappointed.