Tom Parker Bowles, the 51-year-old son of Queen Camilla, has recently unveiled a cherished royal recipe for crafting the perfect iced coffee, a beverage famously served at Royal Family garden parties. In his 2024 book, Cooking and the Crown, Bowles highlights this drink as a staple in both the royal and main tea tents during these elegant outdoor gatherings.
The Royal Garden Party Beverage
According to Bowles, this iced coffee is a beloved fixture at royal events, where it offers a refreshing alternative to traditional teas. He stresses the importance of using high-quality coffee and avoiding excessive sweetness to achieve the ideal balance. "A Garden Party stalwart, served in both the royal and main tea tents alike," Bowles writes. "The key is to use good coffee (this is not the time for instant) and not make it TOO sweet."
Ingredients and Preparation
To recreate this royal-approved drink at home, Bowles recommends gathering the following ingredients:
- Double cream
- Brown sugar
- Coffee
- Milk
- Ice cubes
He advocates for the drip method as one of the best techniques for brewing coffee, which involves slowly pouring hot water over ground coffee through a filter. The US-based National Coffee Association notes that this method, often facilitated by a machine, produces a consistent and bright-tasting beverage. "The machine does most of the work, and there are a wide range of drip coffee makers available, including many affordable options," they explain.
Blending and Serving
Once the coffee has been brewed and allowed to cool slightly, transfer it to a blender. At this stage, add cream, sugar, ice, and milk. "Blend until smooth and pour into two glasses," Bowles instructs, ensuring a creamy and invigorating result perfect for warm weather occasions.
Other Royal Beverage Preferences
This iced coffee is not the only drink favored by the Royal Family. Reports from publications like Hello! and MailOnline indicate that the Princess of Wales often starts her day with a nutritious 'green juice'. This mixture includes a potent blend of kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, coriander, blueberries, spirulina powder, and a small teaspoon of matcha powder, with four of these ingredients considered 'superfoods' due to their high nutritional value.
More from Cooking and the Crown
Bowles' book, Cooking and the Crown, features over 100 recipes spanning from Queen Victoria's reign to the current era of King Charles III. It includes lavish dishes such as "Pommes Elizabeth" and "Pudding au Pain et aux Cerises", alongside simpler classics that home cooks can easily try. This collection offers a unique glimpse into the culinary traditions of the British monarchy, blending historical elegance with accessible modern cooking.
