Iced Coffee Homemade

This homemade iced coffee is so simple to make that you’ll do it again and again! All it takes is double strength brewed coffee, ice and a syrup. I promise you’ll be sipping iced coffee in no time.

Recipes for iced coffee like this one, can easily be switched up by using espresso or cold brew instead of brewed coffee.

What Is Iced Coffee?

Iced coffee is made with strongly brewed coffee that is chilled and then poured over ice. It’s often made with vanilla syrup and some cream or milk.

I use oatmilk and maple syrup to make it dairy and sugar free summer drink.

What Type of Coffee Should I use?

I normally have a medium roast Arabica bean on hand and I love it as an iced coffee. It all depends on what type of coffee you prefer. Most iced coffees are made using a strong coffee bean.

I recommend a medium or dark roast for this iced coffee recipe. However, if you prefer a lighter taste go ahead and use that. Coffee is really all about preference.

You can use pre-ground or whole bean coffee and grind it yourself. I grind all my beans at home because they are the most fresh that way.

What Type Of Sweetener To Use

When making an iced drink it’s always important to use a syrup. Sugar will not dissolve nicely into the iced coffee and will result in a grainy texture.

Maple syrup or a simple syrup works best.
To make a simple syrup all you need to do is cook 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water until it’s dissolved. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes and then it’s ready to use.

Here’s an easy recipe for a vanilla simple syrup.

Recipes For Iced Coffee: Brewed, Cold Brew or Espresso

Brewed: Brew a pot of coffee that is twice as strong as what you normally make. Use 2 tablespoons of grounds to make 1 cup of coffee. Once it is finished brewing, place it in a jar or pitcher and store it in the fridge for an hour before using.

Personally, I like using brewed coffee because it’s the simplest option for me. And I still end up with a smooth heavenly taste for my homemade iced coffee!

Cold Brew: Cold brew is a great option to make this recipe with. While it is not the same as iced coffee (brewed coffee that is chilled) it can be used in this recipe for a slightly different taste.

It is made by immersing coffee grounds in water and letting it sit in the fridge for 8 or more hours. It tastes better for longer periods of time without getting bitter. Since it’s a stronger concentration make sure to add some water to dilute it.

Espresso: It works well for iced coffee! Espresso is hot and stronger than brewed coffee. Pouring it over ice creates enough liquid to create a great iced drink.

If you don’t have an espresso machine but want to try it this way, check out my homemade espresso.

Ingredients needed:

• Chilled coffee brewed at 2x strength
• Ice
• Maple Syrup or simple vanilla syrup

How To Make Iced Coffee At Home

Brew & Chill The Coffee

1. Brew your coffee at 2x strength. I make 6 cups of coffee and use it over the next 3-4 days. For each cup of coffee use 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds.

• For 6 cups of water I use 12 tablespoons of coffee grounds to brew my coffee.
• After it has finished brewing, pour it into a glass jar or pitcher and chill it for about an hour before using.

Make Your Iced Coffee

2. Add the ice and then the syrup to your glass.

3. Pour the coffee, espresso or cold brew over the ice.

• For chilled brewed coffee fill the cup until it is about 2/3 full.
• If using cold brew fill the cup about 1/3 and then 1/3 with water, then add milk.
• When using espresso fill the cup completely with ice then pour it over the ice and it will dilute itself with the ice. Then add milk.

4. Add in your milk to fill the glass. I use oat.

• If you want a less creamy drink add more chilled coffee and use less milk.

Your drink is now ready to enjoy!

Can I store leftover Iced Coffee

Yes! Iced coffee (just the brewed coffee) can be stored in the fridge for up 3 days. I have kept it for 4 days before and it still tasted good. However, it is best used within the first three.

Print Recipe

Homemade Iced Coffee

Quick and easy way to make the perfect dairy free iced coffee on a hot day.

Prep Time3 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Chill Time1 hour hr

Course: Breakfast, Drinks, Iced Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: coffee, Homemade Iced Coffee, Iced Coffee, Iced Drink, Iced Drinks

Servings: 6

Author: Linda Spatig

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup brewed double strength coffee* chilled (instructions for cold brew and espresso in the notes)
• 1-2 TBSP maple or vanilla syrup**
• Ice 5-8 medium sized ice cubes
• 1/3 cup Oatmilk or use cream if not dairy free

Instructions

• Brew your coffee* and place in the fridge for 1-2 hours before using. I like to brew 6 cups of coffee with 12 TBSP of coffee grounds.
• Add 5-8 medium sized ice cubes to a large glass or mason jar.
• Add 1-2 TBSP syrup.
• Pour chilled coffee into the glass until it is ⅔ full.
• Top with oatmilk until the glass is full.

Notes

* Use 2 TBSP of ground coffee per one cup of water to brew double strength coffee. To make 6 cups of coffee I use 12 TBSP of coffee grounds and 6 cups of water.

I actually use more like 7 cups of water because in my coffee maker the 7th cup evaporates, and I am left with 6 cups of double strength coffee.

** Use any syrup you want! I like to use my homemade vanilla syrup or a maple syrup. Or you can use a syrup made for drinks like Torani.

If you want to use cold brew to make this recipe then use about 1/3 cup of cold brew and 1/3 cup of water.

If you are using espresso use more ice and it will melt the ice to dilute the espresso.