The sun’s blazing, temperatures are soaring, and let’s be honest, nothing hits the spot on a scorcher like a refreshing iced coffee. But who needs the long drive-thru lines and hefty price tags at fancy cafes when you can be your own barista?
Whether you’re an instant coffee whiz or a cold brew purist, today’s your lucky day because we’ve brewed up this guide to five fantastic ways to make ice coffees at home – complete with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions – something to cool you down and tantalise your taste buds!
Contents
What You Need to Make Ice Coffee
Making iced coffee at home is surprisingly easy, and you only need a few things most of the time:
- Coffee: Espresso gives a strong kick, but any brewed coffee will work. For a bolder brew, go for a dark roast, or mellow things up with a medium roast. For a lighter brew, go for a light roast.
- Ice: Cubed, crushed, or big ol’ ice chunks – it’s all good! Pick whatever keeps your coffee nice and cold without watering it down too fast.
- Milk (Optional): Dairy or dairy-free, whole milk or something lighter – totally up to you! Popular choices include skim, almond, and oat milk. Feel free to go black if that’s your jam.
- Sweetener (Optional): Want to jazz things up? Syrups, homemade or store-bought, add amazing flavour. You can also keep it simple with sugar or stevia.
5 Iced Coffee Recipes You MUST Try at Home
Whipped Coffee
Remember that whipped coffee (aka Dalgona coffee) that took over your feeds a while back? Well, guess what? It’s still crazy easy to make, and anyone can do it – seriously, no barista skills or fancy espresso machine is required! Here’s how to whip up your own:
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 tbsp. Instant Coffee
- 2 tbsp. Hot Water (steaming hot is ideal)
- 2 c. Milk (dairy or dairy-free, you pick)
- 2 tbsp. Sugar (to taste, granulated sugar works best)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Grab a bowl and whisk together the coffee, sugar, and hot water. Keep whisking until it gets nice and thick, about a creamy soft-serve consistency.
- Now for the fun part! Pour the fluffy coffee mixture over your chilled milk.
Voila! Your trendy whipped coffee is ready to enjoy. Snap a pic for the ‘gram and sip away!
Iced Vanilla Latte
Beat the heat with a homemade iced vanilla late that’s easy on your wallet and taste buds! This easy recipe is perfect for anyone who loves delicious coffee drinks but wants to put an end to their daily Starbucks haul. Here’s what you’ll need.
INGREDIENTS:
- ½ c. Strong Cold-Brewed / Chilled Coffee (or 2 Espresso shots, if you prefer)
- 1 c. Milk (again, dairy or dairy-free works)
- 2-3 tbsp. Vanilla Syrup (adjust to your taste)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Combine the coffee, milk, and vanilla syrup in a container and mix it up well. A shaker would be perfect for the job.
- Pour the mixture over a glass (or a small mason jar) with ice and enjoy your cool, creamy iced vanilla latte!
Salted Caramel Iced Coffee
Craving a sweet and salty pick-me-up? This iced salted caramel coffee is calling your name! It’s also easy to whip up at home in just a few minutes.
INGREDIENTS:
- ¾ c. Brewed Coffee (chilled or cold brew works too)
- ½ c. Milk
- 2 tbsp. Salted Caramel Sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Ice Cubes
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Combine the coffee and salted caramel sauce in a glass. Give it a good stir to ensure everything’s mixed together.
- Fill the serving glass with ice cubes. Pour the coffee mixture over the ice.
- Top it off with the milk of your choice and stir gently.
- For an extra rich caramel flavour, drizzle with more sauce on top before serving. Enjoy!
Iced Caramel Macchiato
Missing your favourite Starbucks iced caramel macchiato? Brew your own at home – and save some cash while you’re at it! It’s actually pretty easy and just as good (if not better).
INGREDIENTS:
- ¼ c. Espresso (or strong brewed coffee)
- 1 c. Milk
- 1 tbsp. Vanilla Syrup (or more to taste)
- Caramel Sauce (for drizzling)
- Ice Cubes
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Grab your favourite glass and add the vanilla syrup.
- Pour in your milk of choice.
- Fill the glass with ice to ½ inch below the rim.
- Add a shot (or ¼ cup) of espresso or strong coffee.
- Top it all off with a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Tip: Drizzle caramel sauce on the bottom and sides of your glass before adding the other ingredients. It’ll make for an Instagram-worthy presentation!
Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte
If you’re looking for the taste of fall in summer’s heat, look no further! This iced cinnamon dolce latte is the perfect twist on your regular morning coffee and surprisingly simple to prepare at home, saving you a trip to the café.
INGREDIENTS:
- ¼ c. Strong Coffee (chilled or cold brew is also fine)
- ¾ c. Milk
- 2 tbsp. Cinnamon Dolce Syrup (instructions for homemade recipe below)
- Ice Cubes
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Fill a glass with ice. Pour in the desired amount of cinnamon dolce syrup.
- Add the coffee, top it off with the milk, and gently stir it all together.
Enjoy your cool, deliciously spiced latte! Top it with whipped cream and cinnamon dolce sprinkles, if that’s your thing!
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Homemade Cinnamon Dolce Syrup INGREDIENTS: 1 c. Water, 1 c. Packed Brown Sugar, 1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon INSTRUCTIONS:
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Even More Iced Coffee Ideas
Iced coffee is a delicious, refreshing summertime staple, but it can get boring after a while. Below are some fun ways to jazz up your iced coffee at home:
- Add a shot of Baileys Irish Cream for an iced Irish coffee, ideal for an after-dinner drink.
- Craft a coffee shop-style drink using flavoured syrups like caramel, vanilla, or hazelnut.
- Add a sprinkle of freshly ground spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves for an extra flavour kick if you’re feeling fancy.
- Pour in some sweetened condensed milk for a rich and creamy Vietnamese-style coffee.
- Blend your iced coffee with milk, ice, and a little sugar for a thick and frosty coffee frappé – a perfect cool-down treat!
Steps to Make Keurig Iced Coffee
Want a delicious iced coffee without the fancy pods or a special setting on your machine? Good news – it’s as easy as brewing your regular cup of hot joe!
Yes, we know there are special iced coffee K-Cups and Keurig machines with an “iced” setting, but they’re not essential. Any Keurig and K-Cup combo will work. Here’s how:
- Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. The more ice, the colder your coffee will be.
- Pop in your favourite K-cup and brew the coffee directly over the ice.
- Dark roast works best for iced coffee since it holds its flavour better when chilled.
- Once brewed, add your favourite milk, cream, half-and-half, or flavourings like syrup or sugar – whatever you desire.
Stir it all together and enjoy your cool, refreshing Keurig iced coffee!
Video Guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is iced coffee just cold brew?
Even though you might hear them tossed around like twins, iced coffee and cold brew are actually different drinks.
Iced coffee is just regular hot coffee that gets brewed, chilled down, and then poured over ice. It’s quick and easy but can sometimes have a slightly bitter taste.
For cold brews, coffee grounds are steeped in room-temperature water for a loooong time (about 9 to 12 hours!), creating a smooth concentrate. That concentrate then gets diluted with water or milk before you sip it. It’s less bitter than iced coffee but takes more planning ahead.
So which one’s the winner? There really isn’t one. Basically, it all boils down to what you like and how much time you have.
Why is your Iced Coffee so watery?
When brewing iced coffee, you want a strong base to prevent it from tasting watered down after you add ice. Think of it like making a strong lemonade, you dilute it later with water to taste.
For a bold iced coffee, try using more coffee grounds or a stronger coffee concentrate than you normally would for hot coffee. You can always adjust the water or milk later to achieve the perfect strength for you.
Our recipes are just a starting point, so feel free to eyeball and experiment with the water-to-coffee ratio to find your sweet spot!
Is iced coffee good for you?
The answer, like most things in life, is “it depends.” Coffee gets a bad rep sometimes, but depending on how you drink it, there can be some perks. The key is moderation – no surprise there!
Coffee is packed with antioxidants, which can help fight free radicals in your body. Plus, it can give you an energy boost, and studies suggest it might even lower your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart failure. It can also help your body use sugar more energy more efficiently.
Sipped responsibility, coffee can actually be a health booster! Just maybe skip the quadruple shot with mountains of whipped cream.
Will instant coffee work?
In a pinch, instant coffee can work for iced coffee, as shown above for the Whipped Coffee recipe. While it won’t taste quite as amazing as espresso or brewed coffee, it’s a lifesaver when you’re short on time.
Is it okay to store leftover iced coffee in the fridge?
It depends on how much you care about peak coffee flavour. Die-hard coffee lovers might find fridge-stored iced coffee a bit off after a while, as the bold flavour fades over time.
Freshly brewed iced coffee is always the best, but leftover coffee stored in the fridge is still perfectly safe to drink for up to a day.
Iced and Brewtiful
Alright, coffee lovers, that’s all there is to it! A bunch of fun and tasty ways to make iced coffee at home.
Be sure to experiment with different flavours, add-ins, and milk types to find your perfect cup! And of course, the most important ingredient is having fun and enjoying your cool, refreshing coffee break.
Which recipe are you most eager to try? Got any other iced coffee recipes or favourite combos? Share them in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you.