Perfect Iced Coffee - Damn Delicious
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by Chungah — updated Jan 9, 2026 Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe 4.96 stars (90 ratings) This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our privacy policy for details.
Tips and tricks to make the best, most perfect iced coffee right at home. It’s quick, easy and so budget-friendly!
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Perfection! Love that you can add as much or as little syrup for your own tastes. I’m so happy to have found a simple recipe so I can save $$!! Kristen 235 more commentswhy i love this recipe
- Easy, fool-proof recipe. With this easy-to-follow recipe, you’ll be making coffee-shop-quality iced coffee in no time.
- Budget-friendly. A single cup of coffee can range anywhere from $3 to $7 (or more). Making coffee at home is much more economical, letting you kick that coffee shop habit.
- Convenient and time-saving. Now you can skip that hectic Starbucks drive-thru line and enjoy a quality cup of iced coffee right at home.
- So customizable. One of the best things about homemade iced coffee is how customizable it is. Add your favorite milk, coffee creamer or sweetener. The best part? An optional easy simple syrup recipe is included below (which also works great for homemade cocktails!).
what is simple syrup
Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener made from dissolved sugar and water, primarily used for cold beverages such as coffee and cocktails. Simple syrup mixes smoothly and evenly, whereas granulated sugar can leave a gritty texture when mixed in.
how to make the most perfect iced coffee right at home
- Brew the coffee using your favorite beans and preferred method (coffee maker, French press, etc.)
- Let the coffee come to room temperature or chill overnight
- Make the simple syrup (if using), storing in the fridge to extend shelf life
- Pour the chilled or room temperature coffee over ice, adding a splash of milk, creamer and/or simple syrup to taste (starting at 1 tsp)
tips and tricks for success
- Good quality beans go a long way. Grab a bag of beans from your favorite local coffee shop.
- Use coarse ground coffee beans. Finely ground coffee beans can yield a gritty cup of coffee. Purchase coffee beans that have already been coarsely ground or grind the beans at home using a grinder like this or this.
- Room temp or cold coffee is key. Iced coffee is meant to be cold. Skip the hot coffee, making sure to use cooled down coffee to start. Adding ice to already hot coffee will yield undesirable watered down coffee.
- Start the night before. This is a great recipe to make ahead of time. Brew the coffee the night before, storing in the fridge overnight.
- Store simple syrup in the fridge. Always store simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator to extend shelf life, keeping up to 1 month.
pro tip
Make coffee ice cubes.
Don’t want your iced coffee diluted with water? Use coffee ice cubes! Opt for a stronger brew for coffee ice cubes for more flavor, freezing for at least 4 hours using a silicone ice cube tray for easy removal.
more favorited drink recipes
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- Green Detox Smoothie
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- Strawberry Thyme Prosecco
- Raspberry Sunrise Smoothie
Tools For This Recipe
Saucepan
Perfect Iced Coffee: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just add ice to hot coffee?Adding ice to already hot coffee will dilute the coffee quite a bit. Using room temperature or chilled coffee is ideal for the most perfect iced coffee.
How long will simple syrup keep in the fridge?Homemade simple syrup can last anywhere from 2 weeks to 1 month when properly stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
What can I do with the leftover simple syrup?Simple syrup can be used for cocktails, mocktails, lemonade, or even whipped cream (swapping out the sugar for a smoother consistency).
How long can I keep coffee in the fridge?Black coffee (without milk or creamer) can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Perfect Iced Coffee
Yield: 1 serving Prep: 5 minutes Total: 5 minutes
Tips and tricks to make the best, most perfect iced coffee right at home. It's quick, easy and so budget-friendly! 5 stars (90 ratings) Print Recipe Pin Recipe Leave a Review Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup coffee, at room temperature or chilled overnight
- 2 tablespoons half and half*, or more, to taste
For the simple syrup
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Serve coffee over ice with half and half and simple syrup, adding 1 teaspoon at a time, to taste.
for the simple syrup
- Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
- Let cool completely and stir in vanilla extract; set aside in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
*Milk or creamer can be substituted.Did you make this recipe?
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About the Author:
Chungah Rhee is the founder of Damn Delicious, a website created in 2011 featuring quick and easy meals. Chungah and her recipes are regularly featured in major media such as People, TODAY, and Bon Appetit, among others. Today, Chungah cooks nonstop alongside her two favorite corgi assistants, Butters and Cartman.
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I always use maple syrup instead of the simple sugar. I think it is better for you too 🙂
What is the best way to store the syrup and how long does it last?
Curious what coffee you use?
I bought a bottle of Davinci pumpkin pie syrup…Would I use this instead of sugar in the simple syrup recipe? How would you recommend using it?
this is so good this is my new fav iced coffee Im only 15 but i tried to find the prefect iced coffee recipe and this is by far the best and ive tried a ot
How would I make this an iced mocha? Also, any idea of what the nutritional value is? Thank you.
That coffee looks amazing but I am just as interested in the glasses. They are very beautiful. May I know where you purchased them?
So good. Won’t have to buy iced coffee ever again.
In just made it. It was great. I used my flavored K-Cup pods
This is so simple and delicious! While me I depend on espresso machines in the office or coffee grinders. Thank you for this!
This recipe is what I’ve been looking for! I love that it’s budget friendly. Makes a nice iced coffee.
Nicest iced coffee I’ve ever had
I just tried your recommended method, and it WORKSSSS! So amazing tip here!
Thanks for sharing this easy recipe, Chungah! I have been trying to get better about skipping the drive-through and making coffee at home, so I am looking forward to making this again and again! 🙂
It is awesome! I tried to make it yesterday, and I succeeded. Thank you so much!
This is absolutely amazing! I tried to make a quick ice coffee to go yesterday and it was a disaster. So I wanted to try a proper one, with little doubt because not always online is the best choice for recipes. But this, this is a life changer, thank you so much!
I was always against iced coffee and a cold brew, but recently tried, and OMG! I am hooked! You are correct on good coffee beans.
Love the recipe!!
i love this coffee its so good! it taste like starbucks iced coffee!! o; love this
4.89 starts! THAT’S AMAZING!!!!! I’ll be having this more often. It’s very sweet thoo but I love it! I never wrote a review but it’s worth it!
Wow….great recipe. Nice and refreshing….I do like my coffee.
Perfection! Love that you can add as much or as little syrup for your own tastes. I’m so happy to have found a simple recipe so I can save $$!!