What’s Up with “Iced Americano Even If I Freeze to Death”?

Quick Summary

• Iced Americano is made with two shots of espresso, cold water, and ice cubes.
• Koreans call it “Ah-Ah,” short for “aiseu amerikano,” a Korean pronunciation of iced Americano.
• Iced Americano is the ultimate palate cleanser after eating sweet, salty, and spicy Korean food.
• The long, hot, and rainy summers create a perfect setting for iced Americano.
• Koreans are always in a hurry with the pali-pali culture and iced Americanos offer a quick caffeine fix.

1. The Power of “Ah-Ah“

“Iced Americano” is so popular in Korea that it has a nickname: “Ah-Ah.”

“Ah-Ah” is short for “aiseu amerikano,” a Korean pronunciation of iced Americano.

It dominates cafe menus and is by far the most popular coffee choice.

Even when temperatures plummet below freezing, you’ll still see people walking around clutching cups of icy coffee.

Starbucks Korea announced that the domestic cold beverage sales ratio reached 50% for the first time in 2015, and currently accounts for 77%.

Even in winter, when 10 cups of Americano are sold, 7 to 8 cups are counted as “Ah-Ah”.

Clearly, Koreans’ love for iced drinks runs deep, regardless of the season.

2. Perfect Chaser for Korean Food

Korean food is undeniably delicious, but it can also be sweet, salty, and spicy.

Iced Americano is THE ultimate palate cleanser.

After enjoying spicy stew or sweet bulgogi, a refreshing sip of iced Americano washes away those lingering flavors and resets your taste buds.

Whether you’ve had something spicy, fried, or garlicky, iced Americano is simply so refreshing!

My weekend ritual in Seoul is to eat a bowl of Ppyeo Haejangguk (spicy backbone hangover soup) and finish with iced Americano!

3. Climate Considerations

Some theories suggest that Korea’s love for iced coffee might be related to the local climate.

In Starbucks’ hometown of Seattle, winters are rainy and gloomy, which naturally leads to more hot coffee consumption.

But in Korea, the long, hot, and rainy summers create a perfect setting for cold beverages.

In Southern cities like Busan and Ulsan, where winters are relatively mild, cold dishes like Naengmyeon (cold noodles), Milmyeon (a variant of Naengmyeon originated in Busan), and iced drinks remain popular year-round.

4. A Culture of Cold Water

Korea’s obsession with cold beverages doesn’t stop at coffee.

While people in most Asian countries opt for warm water, Koreans often prefer it cold, even when eating cold dishes.

Some, including my oppa (older brother), only drink bone-chilling water/beverages throughout the year.

This preference for chilled beverages naturally extends to coffee culture, making iced Americano the beverage of choice.

5. Pali-Pali Pick-Me-Up

Koreans have a fast-paced Pali-Pali culture.

Hot drinks take too long to cool down. This means more time sipping and less time getting things done.

For students and workers with packed schedules, iced Americanos offer a quick caffeine fix.

The added ice gives that much-needed wake-up call during long study sessions or intense workdays.

Some people even add extra ice to make their drink colder and sharper, maximizing the refreshing effect!

6. Iced Americano Withdrawal Symptoms Abroad

Koreans are so hooked on iced Americanos that we often experience withdrawas when traveling to countries where it’s not available.

Imagine being in Europe, surrounded by charming cafes, but craving an iced Americano so badly that you end up hunting down a Starbucks instead!

Though I love sipping delicious Espressos in Europe and I’m not a member of the Eoljukah Association, I sometimes just need Ah-Ah, especially on a hot day or after a workout.

Next time you see a Korean bundled up in a thick winter coat, sipping an iced Americano, remember that it’s more than just a drink.

Iced Americano is a cultural icon, a lifestyle choice, and a delicious way to stay cool, calm, and caffeinated!