Fire & Ice Frozen Coffee Drink Recipe
Publish Date: February 9, 2017
Last Update: January 12, 2026
When temperatures rise but your craving for coffee stays strong, a frozen coffee can feel like the perfect treat — especially if it’s wrapped in a Valentine’s Day theme that blends sweet, bold, and beautifully layered flavors. This Valentine’s Day Fire & Ice Frozen Coffee recipe from Thrive Market captures all of that: cool, icy coffee blended with rich vanilla and cardamom, accented by a warming drizzle of chili-spiked chocolate or fire sauce for a playful contrast between heat and chill. According to the original recipe, the result is both refreshing and indulgent — a beverage that feels like the best frozen coffee treat whenever you want something special, seasonal, or simply delicious.
A frozen coffee drink like this is essentially an elevated iced latte — cooled and blended to a slushy texture, then finished with creative touches that take it beyond a standard afternoon pick-me-up. In this case, the “Fire & Ice” concept comes from the juxtaposition of smoky-spicy elements with icy-sweet coffee, which parallels the emotional theme of Valentine’s Day itself: warmth and spice paired with cool affection. It’s a drink that invites you to savor each sip, whether you’re sharing it with someone special or simply treating yourself on a warm afternoon.
Because this is an easy frozen coffee recipe built with accessible ingredients — cold-brew or strong brewed coffee, vanilla, plant-milk, sweetener, ice, and a touch of heat — it’s approachable for home baristas of any skill level. No complicated equipment is needed beyond a blender, and you can tailor the level of sweetness or spice to your taste. Whether you’re hosting a Valentine’s brunch, chilling by the pool, or just looking for a bold twist on your daily caffeine routine, this Fire & Ice Frozen Coffee delivers playful flavor with a smooth, frosty finish.
Fire & Ice Frozen Coffee Drink
Recipe Details
Yield: 1-2 servings
Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours and 10 minutes
Frozen Coffee Ingredients
- 1 cup concentrated cold brew coffee
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder (plus additional for garnishing)
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 large pinch cayenne
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- Coconut whipped cream (optional)
How to Make this Frozen Coffee Drink
- Pour cold brew concentrate into an ice cube tray (it makes about 10 ice cubes) and freeze for at least 4 hours.
- In the base of a blender, add 10 frozen coffee cubes, cacao powder, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and cayenne.
- Add the almond milk.
- Blend for 1 to 2 minutes or until the texture is smooth and all of the ingredients are completely incorporated.
- Pour into 1 tall glass or divide between 2 glasses.
- Top with coconut whipped cream and a sprinkle of cacao powder, if desired. Serve immediately.
Frozen Coffee Nutrition Facts
*Estimated per serving (recipe yields 2 servings). Based strictly on Thrive Market’s ingredient amounts.
| Serving Size | 1/2 of recipe |
|---|---|
| Calories | ≈ 65 kcal |
| Protein | ≈ 2 g |
| Carbs | ≈ 10 g |
| Sugar | ≈ 6 g |
| Fiber | ≈ 2 g |
| Fat | ≈ 3 g |
Frozen Coffee Variations & Tips
- Use different coffee bases: Try cold-brew concentrate or espresso over ice if you want a richer, more robust foundation for the frozen blend.
- Adjust the spice level: Use more or less chili or cayenne in the chocolate drizzle to dial in your preferred fire-factor — mild warmth or bold heat.
- Make it vegan & creamy: Use oat milk or coconut milk for extra creaminess; lighter plant milks (almond or cashew) keep it crisp and clean.
- Sweetener swap: Maple syrup, agave or coconut sugar all work well — or reduce sweetness for a more coffee-forward profile.
- Add a flavored syrup: Try a hint of cardamom, cinnamon-vanilla, or rose water for a subtle shift toward seasonal flavor themes.
- Turn into a float: Add a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or coconut sorbet on top for an indulgent dessert drink.
- Try espresso cubes: Freeze leftover espresso into ice cubes so your drink stays richly caffeinated as it melts.
Best Frozen Coffee Pairings
- Vegan sugar cookies: Heart-shaped sugar cookies or shortbread make a sweet snack alongside your frosty coffee.
- Chocolate-covered strawberries: The classic Valentine’s pairing — fruit and chocolate — echoes the ice/fire contrast of this drink.
- Almond biscotti: A crunchy biscotti (regular or gluten-free) holds up well for dunking into the frosty blend.
- Dairy-free hot chocolate on the side: For a Valentine’s spread that covers all bases — iced and warm — pair a small cup of vegan hot cocoa next to your frozen coffee.
- Light fruit salad: Bright berries and citrus offer refreshing contrast to the coffee’s sweetness and spice.
- Plant-milk latte version: Serve a warm oat-milk vanilla latte alongside for guests who prefer hot coffee over frozen.
When to Make Frozen Coffee
- Valentine’s brunch: Serve this frozen coffee as a specialty drink to complement sweet breakfast bites or pastry boards.
- Warm-weather date night: A playful, layered drink that feels both cool and bold — perfect for sipping while enjoying sunset or patio time.
- Galentine’s party: Whip up a batch for a brunch with friends — add festive straws and heart-shaped fruit garnishes for flair.
- Weekend afternoon treat: Make one just for yourself after a morning walk or errands — a delicious pick-me-up with personality.
- Coffee-themed gathering: Pair it with dessert bites or a sweet board for a casual get-together with fellow coffee lovers.
- Pool or patio refreshment: This frosty drink is a fun alternative to smoothies or mocktails on hot afternoons — just add coffee.
Recipe credit: Courtney Knapp
Photo credit: Paul Delmont
This article is related to:
Caffeine, Coffee, Coffee Drinks, Drink Recipes, Healthy Drinks, Holiday Recipes, Valentines DayShare this article
Melinda Gross
Melinda writes about health, wellness, and food for the Thrive Market blog. She started her career as a financial journalist in NYC and has written for Where Magazine, Worth, Forbes, and TheStreet.com. When she's not reading or writing, she enjoys working out, sketching, and playing with her daughter and mini-dachshund, Goliath.