These Iced Coffee Recipes are amazing! Learn how to make iced coffee at home and customize it with your favourite homemade syrups.
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I’m a coffee addict (I’ve had people try to talk me out of having 5 espresso shots a day…) and I am VERY particular about the colour of my iced coffee LOL! (Also obsessed with a good iced latte, depending on my mood.)
I know it’s a very personal thing and what’s great about this recipe is that you can customize it so even if you don’t agree with me on colour, you can always add more milk (or whatever tickles your fancy!).
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Easy to make: All you have to do is brew the coffee then pour into over ice with milk.
- Saves money: Instead of paying for your drink at an overpriced coffee shop, you can make your own at home for a fraction of the price.
- Customizable: Adjust the sweetness, swap the milk, or add fun toppings like whipped cream or chocolate drizzle.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Coffee – I normally use espresso (it makes the ice melt just the right amount!), but you can use brewed coffee instead.
- Ice cubes – try crushed ice, medium-sized cubes or large blocks of ice.
- Milk – any dairy or dairy-free milk will work, or you can enjoy it black.
- Sweetener – add a different flavour with syrup or sweetener. Try my easy homemade vanilla syrup!
How to make iced coffee
Step 1: Brew the coffee.
Brew the espresso shots or regular coffee.
Step 2: Pour over ice.
Add ice to a glass, then pour the coffee over top.
Step 3: Add milk.
Pour in your dairy or dairy-free milk.
Step 4 : Add syrup.
Add your sugar, sweetener or syrup and serve.
Tips and variations for the best iced coffee
Here are my top tips for making the best iced coffee every time:
- Try brewed coffee: If you don’t like espresso, use a brewed dark or light roast – you’ll want to experiment with whether you like a lighter or darker flavor so try different beans!
- Make it dairy-free: Add almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk, oat milk or coconut milk.
- Add more flavours: Try flavoured syrups, sweeteners and spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.
Make your iced coffee exactly how you like it:
- Strength: Use espresso or brewed dark roast for the strongest coffee, and medium or light roast for a weaker coffee.
- Milk: Any dairy or dairy-free milk of your choice will work like cream, skim, almond, soy, vanilla or coconut milk.
- Syrups: Vanilla syrup, chocolate syrup, mint extract and caramel syrup would all be yummy and add different flavours.
- Coffee cocktail: Add in some Kahlua or Bailey’s for a coffee cocktail option.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best type of coffee to use for iced coffee?
High-quality medium to dark roast beans are ideal for a richer flavor in iced coffee.
How can I prevent my iced coffee from tasting watered down?
To avoid dilution, brew your coffee stronger than usual or use coffee ice cubes by freezing brewed coffee.
Is cold brew the same as iced coffee?
No, cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period of time, while iced coffee is traditionally brewed hot and then cooled.
Can you use instant coffee?
Technically yes, but the flavour won’t be as good. Dissolve the instant coffee into 2 tbsp boiling water, then mix in 3 tbsp cold water. Pour over ice, add milk and syrup, and enjoy!
How to store iced coffee
Store: Keep brewed coffee in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Store your syrups separately. Most syrups will last in the fridge up to 3 months.
Meal prep tools
- Pick up some coffee beans or pre-ground coffee such as Lavazza.
- You may need a coffee grinder if you’re using fresh whole beans.
- Check out the Philips 3300 coffee machine on Amazon – it’s a great little coffee maker to use at home and it brews espresso shots too.
- If you’re using brewed coffee instead of espresso shots, pick up cheesecloth or a pack of coffee filters to help strain your coffee.
- These iced coffee syrups are an AWESOME way to jazz up your summer drinks!
How to Make Iced Coffee
Ingredients
Simple syrup base
- 3 cups water
- 3 cups sugar
Iced Vanilla Latte syrup
- 1 cup simple syrup
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Iced Mocha syrup
- 1 cup simple syrup
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
Iced Caramel Machiatto syrup
- 1 cup simple syrup
- 1/4 cup dulce de leche
FOR EACH DRINK
- Handful of ice cubes
- 2 espresso shots
- 1/2 cup milk I use 2% but you can use skim, whole or non-dairy as well
Instructions
For syrups
- Prepare in advance: Bring 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar to a boil in a large pot on the stove. Boil for 1 minute, then divide 2 cups of the simple syrup among 2 heat-safe mason jars (1 cup of syrup in each jar).
- Stir cocoa powder into 1 mason jar to make the chocolate syrup, then stir vanilla extract into another to make the vanilla syrup.
- With the remaining simple syrup left in the pot on the stove, stir in the dulce de leche. You may want to turn the heat back on the stove and stir to ensure the dulce de leche gets dissolved. Pour this syrup into a third mason jar.
- Let all 3 syrups cool for 30 minutes before using. Syrups can be kept in the fridge up to 4 weeks.
For drinks
- Brew espresso shots using an espresso maker. Add ice to a large glass, then pour espresso shots and milk over top. Add in 1-2 tbsp syrup of your choice. Serve and enjoy!
- To make the machiatto: add syrup to the bottom of a glass, top with ice, add milk and then slowly pour espresso shots over the top of a spoon to create that layered effect. Enjoy!
Comments & Reviews
Jen says
Can you make the syrup with coconut sugar?
Taylor Stinson says
I’ve never tried it but I think it would work!
Halle Moore says
This recipe looks and sounds amazing. I can’t wait to try out these coffee recipes.
Mariah says
I was looking for something to get me going and the Iced Vanilla Latte was very easy and was perfect to make for my morning rush. I will definitely be trying the others soon!
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed!
Laura Will says
Just tried after came across with your post and the taste was so delicious! You are the BEST!
Andi says
The Iced Caramel Macchiato recipe sounds really yum ❤️ Would love to try it during the holidays. Thanks for coffee recipes!
Luz says
I do not have a coffe machine, so I’m using cold brew, but I need to know how much cold brew (as in volume?) should I use?
Taylor Stinson says
You should be able to just eyeball it – fill a tall glass filled with ice and then add sweeteners/milk from there.
Shulamith says
The Italian macchinetta coffee pot makes an absolutely delicious coffee that is perfect for hot or iced coffee. Costs less than Nespresso, which BTW I also have. You could say I’m a coffee addict:-)
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed 🙂
daniel says
SIMPL(e)LY (pun intended) the best iced coffee blog ever !
sandy says
Thank you this was very helpful, we bought a Nespresso Breville and we I love the mocha latte from Coffee Bean now I can make it at home.
Taylor Stinson says
So happy to help 🙂
Gayle says
Do do you need a special coffee machine to make espresso shots?
Taylor Stinson says
You need an espresso maker! I have the Nespresso machine 🙂
Vanessa says
There’s also a way you can make espresso shots out of instant coffee. This barista on IG shows exactly how to do it. I unfortunately don’t have an espresso machine, Yet! So maybe this will help ya out!
Jessica says
Oooh thanks for the tip!