Most coffee ice cream is made with real coffee. On the ingredient list, you’ll usually see instant coffee, or simply “coffee” listed along with the other ingredients. This makes sense, because coffee is so inexpensive.

Brewed coffee can add too much water to the ice cream mixture, so I find it easy and convenient to make it with instant coffee. I have used the Nescafe classic instant coffee but any other brand will work well. You can also use any other flavors like vanilla, hazelnut, or French vanilla.

If you’re trying to avoid any bit of caffeine, you are unfortunately out of luck. That being said, the most caffeine any coffee ice cream has in it is about the equivalent of one half-cup of coffee per serving, less than 50 milligrams, and some brands’ caffeine content is much lower.

Coffee ice cream is surprisingly not more popular, as it has been around since 1869 when it was used as a parfait. Only four percent of Americans count the flavor as their favorite.