Ice coffee versus iced coffee – it’s a debate that has raged on for years in coffee lover circles. On one side, you have the “ice coffee” camp who argue that adding a vowel to coffee implies that the drink contains literal ice. On the other side, the “iced coffee” crew maintains that the extra vowel better conveys that the drink is served cold rather than containing ice cubes. So who’s right in this battle over iced beverages?
The Origins of Iced Coffee
To better understand this frigid feud, we need to take a quick look at the history of iced coffee. The origins can be traced back to 1785 in Algeria, where people would chill coffee using snow from the mountains. The practice spread across the Middle East and by the 1800s had reached America. Here, iced coffee was sold by street vendors, especially in hot spots like New Orleans.
Early recipes called for brewing a hot pot of coffee, then transferring it to a chilled container to cool off. Throughout the 1900s, pouring hot coffee over ice became the more common method. And that’s how iced coffee earned its name – the drink contained hot coffee poured over ice cubes to cool it down fast. Of course, chilled coffee beverages have evolved a lot since those early days. Now cold brew and Japanese iced coffee recipes exist too.
The Case for “Ice Coffee”
Given the origins of iced coffee using, well, ice, some argue that “ice coffee” makes more sense. The drink was literally made by pouring hot coffee into a cup filled with ice cubes. So the name contains ice since that was part of the original preparation method.
Those in the ice coffee camp say that “iced coffee” sounds like you left a cup of hot coffee out to cool at room temperature. In other words, removing the vowel implies no ice was used to chill the beverage. Since early recipes did contain ice, they believe ice coffee better reflects history.
Additional Arguments for Ice Coffee
- It differentiates iced coffee from cold brew, which contains no ice.
- The spelling is more phonetic – “ice” sounds like the frozen water it contains.
- Ice coffee follows the format of other iced drinks like ice tea.
The Case for “Iced Coffee”
On the flip side, proponents of “iced coffee” argue that the term has become the accepted name for cold coffee in modern usage. While early iced coffee did contain ice cubes, brewing methods have evolved so that ice is no longer required.
Many coffee shops now use chilled or cold brew coffee as the base for their iced beverages. Since ice is not an integral ingredient anymore, removing the vowel makes sense. Plus, “iced coffee” follows conventions – we don’t say ice tea or ice latte, just iced tea and iced latte.
Additional Arguments for Iced Coffee
- It’s the accepted name – menus say “iced coffee” at coffee shops like Starbucks.
- The term is used widely in recipes, articles, and books about coffee.
- Ordering an “ice coffee” might imply you want cubes of ice in the drink only.
Regional Differences in Terminology
An interesting layer to this debate is that word choice seems to vary by region. “Ice coffee” appears to be more common on the United States East Coast. Especially in areas like New England and the Mid-Atlantic. Meanwhile, West Coasters seem to favor “iced coffee.”
It’s not entirely clear why the regional divide exists. Perhaps East Coast cities like Boston and New York were early adopters of pouring hot coffee on ice. So the name containing “ice” stuck there. While West Coast innovators came up with cold brew and chilled coffee methods minus ice.
There are always exceptions of course. But in general, Easterners order “ice coffee” while Westerners request “iced coffee.” The table below summarizes the regional terminology differences:
| Region | More Common Term |
|---|---|
| East Coast (New England, Mid-Atlantic) | Ice coffee |
| West Coast | Iced coffee |
| South | Iced coffee |
| Midwest | Iced coffee |
Ordering Tips to Avoid Confusion
Regardless of which side you take in the ice coffee versus iced coffee debate, there are some ordering tips that can help avoid confusion:
- Listen to how the barista or server refers to the drink, then mimic their terminology.
- Order cold brew instead to bypass the name debate entirely.
- Ask for “cold coffee” or “coffee on ice” for an ambiguous phrasing.
- Specify that you want your iced coffee with or without ice cubes.
- Don’t correct or argue with the staff if they use a different name than you’re used to.
The Verdict on Grammar
When it comes to correct grammar, both “ice coffee” and “iced coffee” are acceptable. Since there’s some history of using ice coffee dating back centuries, it can’t be considered incorrect. However, “iced coffee” is the more widely accepted modern usage.
Major dictionaries, food sites, and style guides default to “iced coffee” in their formal definitions. And grammar experts recommend following the popular or conventional spelling for beverages. So prescriptively, “iced coffee” wins out – but saying “ice coffee” still isn’t technically wrong.
Trending Toward “Iced Coffee”
Looking at popular usage shows that “iced coffee” has taken over as the dominant term. Global chains like Starbucks have made it ubiquitous on menus and signage. And according to Google Trends data, searches for “iced coffee” are far more common than “ice coffee.”
The chart below shows how interest in the phrase “iced coffee” has steadily increased over time. Searches for “ice coffee” are relatively flat and a mere fraction of “iced coffee” lookups.
So while “ice coffee” still appears in some regional pockets, “iced coffee” has won out as the favored name in most areas. And brands, dictionaries, style guides, and search data align with the “iced” spelling. The scales have tipped in favor of this version as the new standard.
Conclusion
The ice coffee versus iced coffee debate may never be fully settled. Both versions have historical precedent and regional usage on their side. But in the court of popular opinion, “iced coffee” is the clear winner. It has become the dominant name thanks to coffee chains, recipes, dictionaries, and Google searches.
While saying “ice coffee” isn’t technically incorrect, “iced coffee” better reflects modern coffee drink menu terminology. So if you don’t want to risk getting a confused stare, ordering an “iced coffee” is your best bet in most cafes and restaurants nowadays.
The one exception is the Northeastern U.S., where “ice coffee” still reigns supreme. But for most other locations, ask for an “iced coffee” when you want your chilled java beverage. Regardless of how you say it though, nothing beats sipping a frosty coffee drink on a hot summer day!