There is something so refreshing about sipping an iced cup of coffee. For me, it has always felt like a treat, something beyond the typical hot coffee with cream and sugar.
When I was a barista, I loved experimenting with different flavor combinations and iced coffee recipes. At home, I don’t have an espresso machine, but that doesn’t stop me from still enjoying an iced coffee from the comfort of my own home.
For those of you wanting to enjoy iced coffee at home but aren’t sure where to start, I’ve put together a few of my absolute favorite iced coffee recipes for you. You don’t need any special equipment or ingredients. You can use what you already have at home to make delicious iced coffee to enjoy whenever you want.
ICED COFFEE vs COLD BREW
When making iced coffee at home, there are two distinct brewing options. Iced coffee is quick and easy, but can’t be made in advance. Cold brew takes longer to make and requires a little technique but you can prepare a lot in advance and it has a unique taste that some prefer.
Iced Coffee
Iced coffee is just coffee over ice. It is fast and easy to make. You don’t need any special tools or techniques to do it. Ice does dilute the coffee which can make it taste a bit watered but you can remedy that a few different ways.
To maintain a strong coffee taste you can use a dark roast and make it a little stronger than usual. However, I’ve found that by doing that you end up with more acidity which can lead to stomach pains. I prefer to either pre-freeze coffee as ice or chill my coffee in the refrigerator in advance so I can use less ice in my drink.
- Brew time: Minutes. An hour if you decide to chill it.
- Brew method: Your choice! Drip, Keurig, french press, pour-over…whatever you want.
- Coffee grounds: It doesn’t really matter. Whatever your preference is.
- Shelf time: It remains good for 1-2 days if refrigerated. Then it will go stale and get bitter.
Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew is coffee that has been brewed by steeping grounds in cold water for 12-24 hours. The process is long but the result is pretty delicious. Because it is brewed using cold,
- Brew time: 12-24 hours
- Brew method: Steep grounds in a pitcher of cold or room temperature water then filter out the grounds using a cheesecloth.
- Coffee grounds: Coarse grounds tend to work better.
- Shelf time: It will keep for about 2 weeks in the refrigerator. It can also be used as a concentrate, diluted by either water or milk.
If you have the time and like to plan in advance, I would highly recommend using cold brew. It has a deliciously smooth flavor and it is easy on the stomach. However, if you don’t want to go through the hassle of a 12-24 hour brew time and would prefer a simple yet still delicious option, definitely go with iced coffee.
For the recipes below, I used Iced Coffee, however you can use either brewing method. It is entirely up to you.
A few things you might need
Before we get into my favorite easy iced coffee recipes, here are a few supplies you might need.
- Coffee brewer – You can use a drip, Keurig, french press, pour-over…whatever you prefer.
- Coffee grounds – There’s no wrong choice. Just remember that ice will dilute the coffee so the stronger the coffee the stronger the taste.
- Blender or milk frother – this isn’t necessary but they do make creating cold foam much easier. (if you don’t have one of these you can also use a resealable jar)
Making Cold Foam
Cold foam is a textured and stiff foam that is made from 2% milk (or low fat). It is served on top of iced coffee like whipped cream but gradually blends into the liquid acting as additional cream.
There are multiple ways to make cold foam. You simply need to make rapid movements that introduce air into the milk or cream creating a velvety texture. Low-fat milk works well but the fat in half-and-half or heavy cream creates a thicker consistency and traps the bubbles better.
- In a blender: Quick and easy way to make a larger batch
- With handheld mixer: Easy way to make smaller batches.
- Milk frother: literally designed for this
- With french press: Press the plunger up and down until you create tiny bubbles
- With a resealable jar: no fancy equipment is needed. Just shake vigorously.
Making Your Own Syrup
The syrup is simply liquified sugar. You do not need to buy special flavored syrups from the store to liven up your coffee at home.
All you need to do is use heat to dissolve sugar and your flavor of choice with a little liquid. You can do this using the heat from your freshly brewed coffee or by adding boiling water to the sugar and flavoring combinations.
4 EASY TO MAKE ICED COFFEE RECIPES
You don’t need any fancy equipment or special ingredients to make delicious iced coffee at home. These are a few of my favorite recipes!
For all of these recipes you will need:
- Your coffee, brewed and ideally chilled.
- A full cup of ice. If you don’t want your coffee watered down try making coffee ice cubes.
- Your choice of cup.
- A small cup to make syrup or cold foam in.
- Your choice of milk.
- A spoon and/or mixing tool.
Recipe #1: Brown Sugar & Honey Iced Coffee
For those of you who like your coffee slightly sweet with a little cream, this is a perfect choice!
Prep Time: Approximately 5 minutes
Serving Size: A single 8oz – 12oz glass
Ingredients:
- Brewed coffee
- Your choice of milk or half and half
- Ice
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp honey
- Boiling water
Note: feel free to adjust the amount of syrup, sugar, and milk to your personal preferences.
Instructions:
- Brew hot coffee however you like to brew coffee. If you have the time, allow it to chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes so it doesn’t melt the ice fast.
- Combine brown sugar and honey in a cup and cover with boiling water. Only put enough water to barely cover the sugar. Too much water will make it diluted and negatively affect the final drink.
Note: If your coffee is still hot you don’t need the hot water, you can just use your coffee to dissolve the sugar and honey.
- Add your freshly made syrup to your coffee glass and pour in your coffee. The amount is up to you and your preferences. Make sure to stir well to combine well.
Note: if you plan on using cold brew, remember it is much stronger than traditional iced coffee so you will need less.
- Top off with your choice of milk or half and half.
- You can finish with a little honey drizzle for a nice extra treat. The honey will not dissolve in cold liquid but if you have a straw to use, you’ll get a nice surprise as you drink.
Recipe#2: Caramel Macchiato Iced Coffee
Caramel macchiatos are traditionally made using espresso but not all of us are able to brew espresso at home so this is a nice alternative. It’s a vanilla-layered iced coffee with caramel drizzle.
Prep Time: Approximately 5 minutes
Serving Size: A single 8oz – 12oz glass
Ingredients:
- Brewed coffee
- Your choice of milk or half and half
- Ice
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- Caramel sauce
- Boiling water
Note: feel free to adjust the amount of syrup, sugar, and milk to your personal preferences.
Instructions:
- Brew hot coffee however you like to brew coffee. If you have the time, allow it to chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes so it doesn’t melt the ice fast.
- In a small glass, make vanilla syrup by combining brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla. Barely cover with boiling water and stir until combined. I like to use a milk frothing wand to mix extra thoroughly.
Note: If your coffee is still hot you don’t need the hot water, you can just use your coffee to dissolve the sugar, honey, and vanilla mixture.
- Add coffee to your vanilla syrup and set aside.
- Fill a larger glass with ice. I highly recommend using frozen coffee cubes instead of traditional ice to balance out the sweetness of the vanilla and caramel.
- Line the sides of your glass with caramel sauce then fill the glass about halfway with your choice of milk.
- Pour your coffee and syrup mixture on top of the milk.
TIP: to layer it nicely, pour the coffee over a spoon to prevent it from combining too quickly.
- Finish off with some caramel drizzle (optional)
Recipe#3: French Toast Iced Coffee
My absolute favorite iced coffee. The white chocolate and cinnamon together taste like french toast and it combines perfectly with alternative milks like oat milk or almond milk. If you don’t have white chocolate you can achieve a similar effect with vanilla and cinnamon.
Prep Time: Approximately 5 minutes
Serving Size: A single 8oz – 12oz glass
Ingredients:
- Brewed coffee
- Your choice of milk or half and half
- Ice
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp white chocolate
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Boiling water
- 1 tbsp of icing sugar
- 2-4 oz of heavy cream, half and half, or milk
Note: feel free to adjust the amount of syrup, sugar, and milk to your personal preferences.
Instructions:
- Brew hot coffee however you like to brew coffee. If you have the time, allow it to chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes so it doesn’t melt the ice fast.
- Combine brown sugar, white chocolate, and vanilla in a cup and cover with boiling water. Only put enough water to barely cover the sugar. Too much water will make it diluted and negatively affect the final drink.
Note: If your coffee is still hot you don’t need the hot water, you can just use your coffee to dissolve the sugar, and white chocolate.
- Add your freshly made syrup to your coffee glass and pour in your coffee at least halfway. I recommend mixing them thoroughly using a spoon or milk frother.
Note: if you plan on using cold brew, remember it is much stronger than traditional iced coffee so you will need less.
- Fill the cup with ice and 2-4oz of your choice of milk. Leave about an inch at the top for the cold foam.
- Using one of the 5 methods listed above, combine icing sugar and your choice of cream to make cold foam.
- Scoop or pour your cold foam on top. You can sprinkle on a little cinnamon or raw sugar if you want an extra special treat!
Recipe#4: Dark Chocolate Iced Coffee with Vanilla Cold Foam
If you are a fan of mochas, this is a good homemade substitute.
Prep Time: Approximately 5 minutes
Serving Size: A single 8oz – 12oz glass
Ingredients:
- Brewed coffee
- Your choice of milk or half and half
- Ice
- 2 tbsp Dark Chocolate syrup
- Boiling water
- Raw sugar
- ¼ tsp of vanilla
- 1 tbsp of icing sugar
- 2-4 oz of heavy cream, half and half, or milk
Note: feel free to adjust the amount of syrup, sugar, and milk to your personal preferences.
Instructions:
- Brew hot coffee however you like to brew coffee. If you have the time, allow it to chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes so it doesn’t melt the ice fast.
- Place chocolate syrup in the bottom of your glass and add a little hot water to dissolve it and help it blend with the cold coffee.
Note: If your coffee is still hot you don’t need the hot water, you can just use your coffee to dissolve the chocolate.
- Pour your coffee into the cup and thoroughly combine your coffee and chocolate. The amount of coffee depends on your personal taste preference.
- Fill the cup with ice and 2-4oz of your choice of milk. Leave about an inch at the top for the cold foam.
- Using one of the 5 methods listed above, combine icing sugar, vanilla, and your choice of cream to make cold foam.
- Scoop or pour your cold foam on top. You can sprinkle on a little raw sugar or chocolate syrup if you want an extra special treat!
To Wrap it Up
Most of us feel comfortable making ourselves a classic cup of coffee at home, but the idea of crafting something a little extra, like iced coffee, feels intimidating. It doesn’t have to be. These iced coffee recipes are easy, fast, and absolutely delicious. Try it now!
