How To Make Iced Coffee

Is there anything better than the sweet, creamy taste of an iced coffee on a hot day? I don’t think so, but buying it at my favorite coffee shop can end up costing a fair bit of money come the end of the month!

That’s why I decided to start making iced coffee at home. And luckily, it couldn’t be easier!

Ingredients in Iced Coffee

There are only four ingredients in iced coffee: chilled black coffee, ice cubes, cream or milk, and simple syrup.

If you prefer, you can just use granulated sugar to sweeten your iced coffee, but it can take a while for the sugar to dissolve since it’s being mixed into a cold liquid.

Having a quick simple syrup on hand means no tedious mixing when you get the craving for an iced coffee.

Making Simple Syrup

Much like iced coffee itself, simple syrup is incredibly easy to make! Simply boil water and sugar together until the sugar is completely dissolved.

If you like, to prevent it from crystallizing, you can also add a teaspoon or so of corn syrup.

Simple syrup will keep for about a month in a covered container in the refrigerator. To make it extra special, you can even stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract or other extracts for flavored iced coffee!

Or, if you prefer to keep things even easier, skip the simple syrup and grab a bottle of your favorite flavor of Torani syrup for quick flavored iced coffee instead!

Making Iced Coffee

Once you have your ingredients ready, making iced coffee is as simple as adding your ice cubes to a glass, and then adding coffee, simple syrup, and cream or milk.

Personally, I prefer to add the cream and simple syrup to the glass first, and then add the coffee.

But you can also mix the coffee, cream, and syrup together first and pour it over the coffee. Or, pour the coffee over the ice before adding the other ingredients so you can gradually mix in cream and syrup to your taste.

Finding your own perfect amounts of simple syrup, cream, and coffee may take some testing, so adjust the sweetness and creaminess to your liking and make a note of the amounts you use for next time.

Just like that, you’ve learned how to make iced coffee at home…and for a fraction of the price of buying it at a coffee shop!

Tips For Making Iced Coffee

• Do you drink a lot of iced coffee? Make a pot of black coffee, mix in cream and simple syrup, and store it in a pitcher in the fridge so you can whip up an iced coffee any time!
• For the richest flavor, never make iced coffee with room temperature coffee. Making sure your coffee is fully chilled will ensure your drink doesn’t taste watered down.
• In the mood for a frappé-style coffee? This recipe can also be made in a blender to create a smooth frozen coffee drink.
• Want to make your iced coffee extra fancy? Top it with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder or cinnamon!