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    Home » Recipe » Drinks » How to Make Iced Coffee

    How to Make Iced Coffee

    Published Apr 22, 2020 · Updated Aug 18, 2022 by Ginnie · 9 Comments

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    Learn how to make the BEST Iced Coffee at home ... this easy recipe is the perfect way to start your day!

    Iced Coffee served in a glass mason jar with a paper straw.

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    I have a confession to make: I wasn't always a coffee drinker. After drinking a little tooo much in college, I gave it up. Sure, I treated myself to a latte here and there, but that was about it.

    That all changed when I moved to New York. My first job was pure misery. From devious co-workers to vague job expectations to screaming bosses, I started dreading my days there about a month after I started.

    Throw in a sweltering commute during a steamy NYC summer, and the only thing that got me through most mornings was my new obsession, Iced Coffee.

    Although I left that job, but my love for cold coffee continued. These days, I treat myself to a cup every morning (no matter the weather) ... sometimes I'm already thinking about it as I drift off to sleep the night before!

    Since I love my daily treat so much, I've learned how to make the best Iced Coffee at home. And you know what? It couldn't be easier ... keep reading for all the details!

    A overhead photo of a mason jar filled with coffee and ice.

    Ingredients

    Homemade Iced Coffee requires no special ingredients, which means you can make a cup whenever a craving strikes! Here's what you'll need:

    • Coffee
    • Sugar
    • Milk

    To make a coffee-shop quality cup, you'll need good coffee. I don't like anything bitter, so I prefer to use a medium roast. Feel free to use your favorite coffee though (almost anything works). 

    If you are feeling especially ambitious (and want to make the tastiest cup), start with whole beans and grind it yourself. I have one of these budget-friendly mini coffee grinders, and it's super easy and quick to use.

    Sugar and milk are optional, but I never skip them. I use regular old granulated sugar, although plain or flavored sugar syrup is another option.

    And any kind of milk works ... I like almond or coconut milk. If you're using regular milk, I'd recommend 2%, whole milk, or even half and half. Skim milk can make the finished drink seem a little watery.

    A mug of cold coffee on a blue napkin with a brick wall in the background.

    How to Make Iced Coffee (without Watering It Down)

    Are you ready to learn how I make the perfect fresh-brewed cup of cold coffee? It's easy!

    Here's my trick for the perfect iced coffee ... the first thing I do every morning is brew a regular cup of coffee. Then, before I jump in the shower, I stick my mug of coffee in the freezer.

    While I'm showering, putting on makeup, and doing my hair, my coffee is cooling to the ideal temp. I use a cute mason jar mug, but any kind works. By the time I'm ready, my coffee is the perfect chilled temperature, and I can add sugar, milk, and ice without watering it down.

    You could also add the sugar to the hot coffee before chilling it, if you don't want any crystals in your coffee. I actually like the crunch of a few crystals. Using simple syrup instead of granulated sugar is another option.

    Tip: want to save time in the morning? Brew your cup of coffee the night before, then pop it in the refrigerator so it's ready to drink when you wake up. You could also do this with a full pot of coffee, of course.

    A cup of coffee in the freezer.

    Chilling a mug of coffee in the freezer.

    Can you put hot coffee on ice?

    Technically, you can simply pour hot coffee over ice. But I wouldn't recommend it!

    The ice will water down your coffee, and it won't get as cool either ... and perfect Iced Coffee needs to be quite cold.

    If you'd prefer to make your drink with hot coffee, then I'd recommend using coffee ice cubes instead of regular ones ... that way your coffee won't be diluted and watery tasting. To make coffee ice cubes, simply fill an ice cube tray with leftover coffee, then freeze overnight.

    In the morning, stir a few coffee ice cubes into your freshly-brewed coffee. The cubes will cool off your coffee without watering down the flavor like regular ice would. Once your coffee has cooled, stir in sugar and milk to taste, then top off with regular ice or more coffee ice cubes.

    Ninja Coffee Bar Method

    This post has been updated a few times, and after I first wrote it a few years ago, I got a Ninja Brewing System. And it's pretty much my favorite thing ever!

    This system has a special function that lets you brew a single cup of coffee directly over ice ... without watering it down. It works perfectly every time, takes minutes to make, and I absolutely love it.

    I've also used my Ninja to make specialty espresso-style drinks like affogato and lattes. The best thing about it though, is that you can make everything from full pots of coffee to single cups ... all without wasteful pods!

    Stirring sugar, milk, and ice into coffee.

    Stirring sugar, milk, and ice into the cold coffee.

    Cold Coffee Variations

    I usually drink my coffee with milk and sugar only, but there are so many fun ways to flavor it! Here are some ideas:

    • Add coffee syrup. For a coffee shop-inspired treat, stir a little flavored coffee syrup into your drink. You can even make your own syrups ... this Brown Sugar Syrup and this Cinnamon Brown Sugar Coffee Syrup are a favorites of mine!
    • Stir in a drop of extract. A touch of pure vanilla or almond extract turns plain coffee into something special.
    • Make it extra sweet. Replace the sugar with sweetened condensed milk for a Vietnamese-style treat.
    • Flavor the coffee with spices. Before you brew your coffee, sprinkle a little cinnamon, nutmeg, and/ or ginger over the grounds. 
    • Make an iced latte. Turn your drink into an iced latte by adding frothed milk instead of plain milk. Shake cold milk in a mason jar to froth it or use a handheld milk frother, like I do.
    • Add a slice of citrus. A thin slice of lemon, lime, or orange can add an intriguing twist to your fave morning drink.
    • Infuse it with herbs. Throw a few leaves of mint into the hot coffee before chilling it for a refreshing herbal flavor.
    • Kick things up a notch. For a boozy treat, try adding a shot of rum, whiskey, brandy, Sambuca, or Frangelico. Cheers!

    A mason jar of coffee served with a paper straw on a blue napkin.

    Related Recipes

    If you enjoyed this easy recipe, try one of my other Iced Coffee recipes next!

    • Instant Iced Coffee
    • Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
    • Dalgona Coffee
    • Australian Iced Coffee
    • Iced Irish Coffee
    • Dirty Chai Latte
    • Coffee Popsicles

    Looking for a hot coffee treat? Then, treat yourself to a Salted Caramel Affogato or Irish Coffee, too.

    A hot Dirty Chai Latte and a cold Dirty Chai Latte on a wood table.

    A Dirty Chai Latte (which can be served hot or cold) is another delicious coffee drink to try!

    A mug of cold coffee on a blue napkin with a brick wall in the background.
    Print Recipe SaveSaved!
    4.43 from 7 votes

    How to Make Iced Coffee

    Learn how to make the perfect cup of Iced Coffee ... it's easy!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Total Time5 mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 1 person
    Calories: 88kcal
    Author: Ginnie

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups hot coffee
    • 1 teaspoon sugar, or to taste
    • ½ cup milk (2% or whole milk is best), or to taste
    • ice

    Instructions

    • Brew coffee, then pour 1 ½ cups into a tall glass. Put coffee in freezer for 30 to 45 minutes (or chill in refrigerator overnight).
    • When coffee has cooled, add sugar and milk to taste.
    • Fill glass with ice and stir well.
    • Serve immediately. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Don't like sweet drinks or milky coffee? Skip the sugar and milk to serve your iced coffee black.
    If you'd prefer, you can sweeten your coffee with simple syrup instead of regular sugar.
    Create a coffee shop-inspired drink by flavoring your coffee with syrups, extracts, spices, and more. See tips in the article for lots of delicious ideas.
    For an extra decadent treat, use half and half instead of milk.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 88kcal
    Did you make this recipe?I love seeing what you're cooking! Leave a comment below, or tag @HelloLittleHome or #hellolittlehome on Instagram!

    A mug of iced coffee on a blue napkin.

    How to Make Iced Coffee
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    « Dalgona Coffee (How to Make Creamy Whipped Coffee)
    April 2020: Diary No. 4 »

    About Ginnie

    Ginnie is the writer, photographer, and chief content creator behind Hello Little Home. She loves trying new things (whether that’s creating delicious vegetarian recipes, exploring a new city, trying a fun DIY project, or sharing a pretty makeup look), and she hopes to inspire you to do the same! Read more about Ginnie here.

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    9 Comments
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    Josh Unger
    2 months ago

    1 star
    Took way too long to get to the point and recipe still not clear

    0
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    Author
    Ginnie
    2 months ago
    Reply to  Josh Unger

    Hi Josh! There is a "jump to recipe" button at the top of the post if you want to cut to the chase. It will bring you directly to the recipe card which has clear step by step instructions.

    0
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    David Powell
    6 months ago

    Finally found my people making iced coffee! Gonna unwrap my coffee grinder! Just got this from my birthday and this is perfect for this recipe.

    0
    Reply
    Matthew Hoey
    1 year ago

    But real ice coffee is cold brewed, no? You let it steep in water overnight in the fridge… it tastes much more robust and apparently the caffeine content is quite a bit higher (as boiling the water destroys half the caffeine)!

    0
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    Author
    Ginnie
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Matthew Hoey

    Hi, Matthew! If your coffee maker boils the water while brewing, you should get a different one. 😉 Just kidding, but most coffee makers use very hot (but not boiling) water. There are so many different ways to make iced coffee (more than I've covered here) ... cold brew being just one! I love cold brew too, although the reason it has more caffeine is because you need more coffee grounds to make it than regular brewed coffee (not because of the water temp). If you use the finished cold brew concentrate as is, then yes, it's definitely stronger /… Read more »

    3
    Reply
    Stephanie
    7 years ago

    This iced coffee looks delicious! And excellent tip about freezing some coffee ice cubes the night before! Great idea!

    1
    Reply
    Author
    Ginnie
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Stephanie

    Thank you so much, Stephanie!

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    Deb @ Cooking on the Front Burner
    7 years ago

    Sorry about that job! I'm loving this iced coffee!

    1
    Reply
    Author
    Ginnie
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Deb @ Cooking on the Front Burner

    Thanks, Deb! Happily, the job is a distant memory at this point! 😉

    0
    Reply

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    Hi, I'm Ginnie! Welcome to Hello Little Home, which is all about inspiring everyday creativity! I'm excited to share my favorite things with you ... vegetarian recipes, travel inspiration, DIY projects, decor ideas, beauty and fashion tips, and more! Read more about me here!

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