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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 $$!! Kristen234 more comments
why 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.
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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: 1servingPrep: 5 minutesminutesTotal: 5 minutesminutesTips 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
Ingredients
1cupcoffee, at room temperature or chilled overnight
2tablespoonshalf and half*, or more, to taste
For the simple syrup
½cupsugar
1cupwater
½teaspoonvanilla 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.
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Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Share by Email posted on July 8, 2015 under Breakfast, Drink 234 Comments Leave a Comment »
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234 comments
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1 2 3 4 5 6 … 8 Next »
Mary — July 2, 2025 @ 6:42 AM Reply
I always use maple syrup instead of the simple sugar. I think it is better for you too 🙂
Kim — June 22, 2024 @ 10:02 AM Reply
What is the best way to store the syrup and how long does it last?
McKenzie Bonifield — July 25, 2023 @ 2:40 PM Reply
Curious what coffee you use?
Loretta — April 20, 2023 @ 12:18 PM Reply
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?
katie — October 24, 2022 @ 12:42 PM Reply
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
Bella — September 5, 2022 @ 7:46 AM Reply
That coffee looks amazing but I am just as interested in the glasses. They are very beautiful. May I know where you purchased them?
Pam — August 26, 2022 @ 7:10 AM Reply
So good. Won’t have to buy iced coffee ever again.
Yacov — August 24, 2022 @ 5:17 AM Reply
In just made it. It was great. I used my flavored K-Cup pods
Jessie Smith — August 5, 2022 @ 9:19 AM Reply
This is so simple and delicious! While me I depend on espresso machines in the office or coffee grinders. Thank you for this!
Tara Boissonneault — August 2, 2022 @ 3:29 PM Reply
This recipe is what I’ve been looking for! I love that it’s budget friendly. Makes a nice iced coffee.
Leanne — July 18, 2022 @ 11:50 AM Reply
Nicest iced coffee I’ve ever had
Laura Will — March 26, 2022 @ 2:21 AM Reply
I just tried your recommended method, and it WORKSSSS! So amazing tip here!
Kim — December 7, 2021 @ 11:59 AM Reply
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! 🙂
Kristine Graves — October 4, 2021 @ 8:04 AM Reply
It is awesome! I tried to make it yesterday, and I succeeded. Thank you so much!
Sara — September 9, 2021 @ 9:42 AM Reply
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!
Luna — August 28, 2021 @ 4:50 AM Reply
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!!
faith p — August 27, 2021 @ 10:20 AM Reply
i love this coffee its so good! it taste like starbucks iced coffee!! o; love this
Kita — August 17, 2021 @ 9:41 PM Reply
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!
John MacLeod — July 31, 2021 @ 11:01 AM Reply
Wow….great recipe. Nice and refreshing….I do like my coffee.
Kristen — July 20, 2021 @ 1:11 PM Reply
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 $$!!
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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 
Previous post:« PreviousPotato and Bacon Foil Packets
Next post:Next »Honey Balsamic Chicken Breasts and Veggies 
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
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 $$!!