# The Mont Blanc coffee trend, and how to make one

> A tall glass of cold brew, dressed with softly whipped cream, has become one of the more distinctive iced coffee drinks around. Here's how it's built.

By Joey Krosch. Published 2025-06-02, updated 2026-08-17.

The Mont Blanc, named for the snow-capped Alpine peak it visually
echoes, layers smooth cold brew coffee under a generous, cloud-like
crown of softly whipped cream. It's become one of the more visually
striking additions to Australian cafe menus in recent years, and it's
genuinely simple to build well at home.

## What actually makes it work

The drink relies on contrast: cold, slightly bitter cold brew against
light, barely sweetened whipped cream, with the two meant to be sipped
together rather than stirred through from the start. Getting that
contrast right matters more than any specific recipe detail.

> **Cold brew, not iced espresso:**
> Cold brew's naturally lower acidity and smoother, less bitter profile
> suits this drink far better than iced espresso would. If you only have
> espresso on hand, dilute it more than usual and expect a sharper,
> different result.

## What you need

- 150 to 180ml cold brew concentrate, diluted to taste
- 60 to 80ml thickened cream
- A small amount of caster sugar or simple syrup, to taste
- Ice

## Making it

**Prepare your cold brew ahead of time.** Steep coarsely ground coffee
in cold water at roughly a 1:8 ratio for 12 to 18 hours, then strain.
Chill it thoroughly before assembling the drink.

**Whip the cream softly, not stiffly.** You want soft peaks that hold
their shape gently rather than a stiff, piped texture, this is closer
to lightly whipped than a stiffened dessert topping. Sweeten it lightly,
the cream should soften the cold brew's edge, not overpower it.

**Fill a tall glass with ice** and pour the cold brew over it, leaving
enough room at the top for a generous layer of cream.

**Spoon the cream on top**, building height and shape rather than
smoothing it flat, the visual crown is part of the drink.

## Variations worth trying

A light dusting of cocoa or cinnamon over the cream adds a finishing
touch without overwhelming the coffee. Some versions use a flavoured
syrup, vanilla or hazelnut work well, stirred into the cold brew before
pouring rather than into the cream.

## The takeaway

The Mont Blanc's appeal is genuinely simple: good cold brew, softly
whipped cream, and a build that keeps the two distinct rather than
mixed together from the first sip. Get the cold brew quality and the
cream texture right, and the rest is easy to make your own.