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15+ Best Iced Coffee Recipes to Beat the Heat
Are you ready to elevate your coffee game this summer? Look no further! We’ve curated 17 delicious iced coffee recipes that you can easily make at home. From classic cold brews to indulgent frappes, these café-quality drinks will satisfy your coffee cravings and keep you cool all season long.
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Why Make Iced Coffee at Home?
- Save money compared to coffee shop prices
- Customize flavors and strengths to your liking
- Experiment with different brewing methods
- Enjoy cafe-quality drinks anytime
Let’s dive into these irresistible iced coffee recipes!
1. Classic Iced Coffee
Start with this timeless favorite. Our classic iced coffee recipe is simple, refreshing, and endlessly customizable.
Key Ingredients:
- Strong brewed coffee
- Ice
- Simple syrup
- Half-and-half (or your preferred milk)
This recipe makes a traditional and uncomplicated iced coffee. Simply prepare coffee, let it cool, and then add ice. You can use any coffee maker, even Nespresso or Keurig machines that create cups of coffee (not espresso). This recipe includes half and half for its moderate sweetness and creamy texture, but you may substitute your favorite milk, including plant-based options.
2. Smooth Cold Brew Coffee
Master the art of cold brew with our easy, no-fuss method. One batch provides a week’s worth of delicious, low-acid coffee.
Key Ingredients:
- Ground coffee beans (medium-coarse ground)
- Purified water
Learn how to create cold brew with little effort (and nearly no cleanup) using a cold brew coffee maker. The only challenge is having to wait for it to steep in the fridge overnight, so prepare ahead of time. Use your favorite coffee beans from any café, supermarket, or roaster. To get the best results, make sure the grinds are medium-coarse.
Pro Tip: You can make decaf cold brew at home, even though Starbucks doesn’t offer it.
3. Iced Americano
For espresso lovers, this three-ingredient wonder packs a serious caffeine punch. Perfect for those who prefer a bolder flavor profile.
Key Ingredients:
- Espresso
- Cold water
- Ice
This is the simplest iced espresso drink to create, using only three ingredients. It’s ideal if you prefer espresso over brewed coffee or cold brew, or if you want more caffeine than a conventional iced coffee. This recipe asks for three shots of espresso and often employs a dark roast, such as Starbucks Espresso Roast.
Customize It: Add flavored syrups or cold foam for extra indulgence.
4. Copycat Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato
Recreate this Starbucks favorite at home with our step-by-step guide. It’s easier than you think!
Key Ingredients:
- Espresso
- Vanilla syrup
- 2% milk
- Ice
- Caramel sauce
Find step-by-step directions for making an iced macchiato that tastes just like the one at Starbucks. The drink requires only five ingredients, including ice. It’s simple to create using your own espresso machine, including a Nespresso! Adjust the sweetness, milk, and caffeine levels by adding or removing any of the major components.
Make Your Own Iced Caramel Macchiato
5. Iced Shaken Espresso
This trendy drink is a coffee lover’s dream. Our recipe mimics the Starbucks version perfectly.
Key Ingredients:
- Espresso
- Milk
- Simple syrup
- Ice
This Iced Shaken Espresso copycat recipe is an extra caffeinated drink that will taste exactly like the one at Starbucks. If you want the same exact flavor as the Starbucks version, make their Espresso Roast with your own espresso machine or any Nespresso Original or Vertuo espresso machine. There is an instant coffee recipe variant provided, as well as adjustments for the syrups and milks.
Barista Tip: Use Starbucks Espresso Roast for an authentic taste.
6. Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Experience the rich, sweet flavor of this Southeast Asian favorite. The secret? Sweetened condensed milk!
Key Ingredients:
- Coffee
- Filtered water
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Ice
Vietnamese iced coffee is created with sweetened condensed milk. The end product is a creamy, refreshing coffee with a pleasant sweetness and a powerful caffeine rush. If feasible, create ice with filtered water and use it to prepare the coffee. Because the drink has few components, it will taste better with filtered water.
Pro Tip: The sweetened condensed milk is the star of this dish and cannot be substituted with another milk. It provides the distinctive flavor of Vietnamese coffee, whether iced or hot.
7. Decadent Iced Mocha
Chocolate lovers, rejoice! This four-ingredient wonder combines the best of coffee and cocoa.
Key Ingredients:
- Cold brew coffee
- Chocolate syrup
- Milk
- Ice
An iced mocha is a cool drink that contains both coffee and chocolate. It’s really simple to prepare at home, using just four ingredients. This adaptable recipe may be made with brewed coffee, cold brew, instant coffee, or espresso. There are also directions for preparing your own homemade chocolate syrup.
Customize It: Experiment with making it more or less sweet, milky, chocolaty, or caffeinated.
8. Iced Coffee with Cream Froth
A beautifully indulgent iced coffee made with only brewed coffee and cream froth.
Key Ingredients:
- Ground coffee (medium-fine)
- Water
- Heavy cream
- Sugar
- Salt
- Ice
The key component in the cream froth is salt, which balances the sweetness of the sugar. The froth takes only seconds to produce using a portable milk frother, but the recipe provides instructions for preparing it without one. This drink takes around 5 minutes to prepare. While you may add flavor and modify the sweetness, it’s very tasty as is. Serve it in a tall, transparent glass so you can see the cream froth float.
9. Iced Mexican Coffee
Chocolate, cinnamon, and cloves combine to make this iced coffee both sweet and spicy.
The sweet cream topping completes the drink, making it a luxurious and rich treat. The recipe calls for brewed coffee, but cold brew may be used if you already have some on hand. Just as easily, you can brew strong coffee with your drip coffee maker, Nespresso, or prepare 1-2 shots in your espresso machine. Ready in just 5 minutes, this iced Mexican coffee is sure to hit the spot on hot summer days.
10. Iced Coffee Boba
Add a fun twist to your iced coffee with chewy tapioca pearls.
Key Ingredients:
- Coffee
- Tapioca balls
- Brown sugar
- Half and half
- Water
- Ice
Boba is often served with tea, but it may also be added to iced coffee to improve the flavor. This recipe asks for brewed coffee that has cooled. If you already have cold brew in your refrigerator, you may use it instead. Find tips and methods for preparing boba the proper (and best) manner, especially when utilizing these easy-to-find tapioca balls.
11. Whipped Dalgona Coffee
This extra-fluffy variant of Dalgona coffee is a true delight.
Key Ingredients:
- Ice
- Milk
- Boiling water
- Instant coffee
- Sugar
This trendy coffee drink just requires four ingredients and takes four minutes to make. Regular dalgona coffee consists of equal parts instant coffee, sugar, and hot water. This version has more water, which makes it fluffier. You may create this drink with any type of milk, including non-dairy options. Try it with oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk for a unique twist.
12. Coffee Ice Cubes
Never worry about watered-down iced coffee again with these clever coffee ice cubes.
Key Ingredients:
- Ground coffee
- Filtered water
- Sugar (optional)
- Ice cube tray
- Milk (for iced latte)
These handmade coffee ice cubes will keep your iced coffee from becoming watery and diluted. They may be used in any iced coffee drink or converted into a quick iced coffee or latte. The most basic method requires only two ingredients: coffee and water, but you can sweeten the cubes or add milk. Adding sugar to the cubes means you won’t have to use simple syrup in your iced coffee. This is a fantastic make-ahead recipe, and it’s practical for commuting because the cubes will melt without watering down the drink.
13. Greek Frappe
Experience the refreshing taste of this popular Greek coffee drink.
Key Ingredients:
- Instant coffee
- Filtered water
- Sugar
- Ice
- Half & half or milk
If you want iced coffee but don’t want to brew it yourself, try this Greek frappe. The key ingredient is Nescafe Greek instant coffee, just like in the dalgona whipped coffee. This is ideal if you prefer your iced coffee sweet, creamy, extra-caffeinated, and ready in minutes. The recipe includes suggestions for making this without a handheld milk frother, adjusting the sweetness, and using alternative instant coffees.
14. Cold Brew Coffee Latte
Create a beautiful layered latte using your homemade cold brew.
Key Ingredients:
- Ice
- Cold brew coffee
- Milk
- Sugar
- Hot water
After you’ve produced the cold brew, you may make a stacked ice latte. The idea is to sweeten the milk so that it settles to the bottom. This recipe calls for a quick, basic syrup made from brown sugar. If you like unsweetened lattes, you may skip the simple syrup, but they will not have a layered effect. See how to create the 5-minute drink, with advice for using regular iced coffee instead of cold brew.
15. Brown Sugar Iced Coffee
Enjoy the rich, molasses-like flavor of brown sugar in this delightful iced coffee.
Key Ingredients:
- Strong coffee
- Milk
- Brown sugar
- Water
- Ice
This sweet and delicious brown sugar iced coffee is layered with brown sugar at the bottom, milk in the middle, and coffee on top. It can be made with any type of strong coffee, from cold brew to chilled brewed coffee. The brown sugar adds a touch of rich molasses flavor, making the drink taste richer than iced coffee made with regular sugar.
16. Iced Blonde Vanilla Latte
Recreate this popular Starbucks drink at home with our easy recipe.
Key Ingredients:
- Blonde espresso
- Vanilla syrup
- Milk
- Ice
This Starbucks copycat recipe uses four ingredients to produce a grande-sized latte. It contains step-by-step directions for making homemade vanilla syrup, as well as professional advice for personalizing the drink. For the best results, use Starbucks’ Blonde Espresso. It comes in whole beans, ground, and Nespresso capsules. You may use any milk you have, even plant-based, but 2% is the standard at Starbucks and in this recipe.
17. Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
Enjoy the flavors of fall all year round with this pumpkin-spiced cold brew.
Key Ingredients:
- Cold brew coffee
- Vanilla syrup
- Half and half
- Pumpkin sauce
- Pumpkin spice
- Ice
This cold brew drink is ideal for aficionados of Pumpkin Spice Lattes, since it has a similar flavor profile. The cold brew may be readily created in a cold brew maker or using Starbucks Cold Brew Pitcher Packs. The drink is also topped with a flavored cold foam, which is simpler to make than you think. It does not require the special blender used at Starbucks. Plus, because there is no Pumpkin Spice in the coffee, only the topping, you can adjust how much spice you want. Find expert tips for customizing the topping, pumpkin sauce, coffee, and flavoring.
Wrapping Up
With these 17 delicious iced coffee recipes, you’ll never run out of ways to enjoy your favorite caffeinated beverage. Whether you prefer classic flavors or adventurous combinations, there’s something for every coffee lover.
Remember, the key to great iced coffee is experimentation. Don’t be afraid to adjust ratios, try different syrups, or mix up your milk choices. Your perfect iced coffee is waiting to be discovered!
Tips for Perfect Iced Coffee
- Use strong coffee or espresso to compensate for ice dilution.
- Chill your coffee before adding ice to prevent excessive melting.
- Experiment with different sweeteners like simple syrup, flavored syrups, or condensed milk.
- Try various milk options, including plant-based alternatives, for different flavors and textures.
- Invest in a good quality coffee maker or espresso machine for the best results.
We hope this comprehensive guide to iced coffee recipes inspires you to create your own coffee shop-worthy drinks at home. From classic iced coffees to trendy whipped dalgona and everything in between, you’re now equipped to satisfy your iced coffee cravings all year round.
What’s your go-to iced coffee recipe? Share your favorites in the comments below!
