The Ultimate Iced Coffee Recipe
Learn how to make the perfect iced coffee recipe at home with this easy step-by-step guide! Whether you prefer the quick hot-brewed method or a smooth, low-acid cold brew, this recipe ensures a rich, flavorful coffee experience. Customize with milk, sweeteners, and creative flavor variations for a barista-quality drink every time.
Ingredients
For Classic Iced Coffee (Hot Brewed Method):
- 1 ½ cups strongly brewed coffee hot
- 1 cup ice cubes or coffee ice cubes
- ¼ cup milk or creamer optional
- 1-2 tablespoons simple syrup sugar, or sweetener of choice (optional)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract caramel syrup, or chocolate syrup (optional)
For Cold Brew Iced Coffee:
- 1 cup coarsely ground coffee beans
- 4 cups cold filtered water
- Ice cubes for serving
- Milk sweetener, and flavorings (optional)
Instructions
For Classic Iced Coffee (Hot Brewed Method):
- Brew Coffee: Use a drip coffee maker, French press, or pour-over method to brew a strong cup of coffee.
- Cool the Coffee: Let it sit for 10-15 minutes at room temperature before refrigerating. For a quick chill, pour it over an ice bath.
- Prepare the Glass: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
- Pour & Mix: Pour the cooled coffee over the ice. Add milk, sweetener, or flavoring as desired.
- Serve & Enjoy: Stir well and enjoy your refreshing iced coffee!
For Cold Brew Iced Coffee:
- Combine Coffee & Water: In a large jar or pitcher, mix coarsely ground coffee with cold, filtered water. Stir to saturate.
- Steep: Cover and let steep at room temperature for 12-16 hours or in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
- Strain: Use a fine-mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or coffee filter to strain out the grounds.
- Serve: Pour cold brew over ice and dilute with water or milk if needed. Add sweetener or flavoring as desired.
- Enjoy: Stir and savor your smooth, bold iced coffee!
Notes
✅ For stronger iced coffee, use coffee ice cubes instead of regular ice to prevent dilution.
✅ Cold brew concentrate can be stored in the fridge for up to a week; dilute as needed.
✅ For an extra frothy texture, blend the iced coffee with milk before serving.
✅ Try variations like vanilla, caramel, mocha, or coconut for unique flavors.
✅ Cold brew concentrate can be stored in the fridge for up to a week; dilute as needed.
✅ For an extra frothy texture, blend the iced coffee with milk before serving.
✅ Try variations like vanilla, caramel, mocha, or coconut for unique flavors.