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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    How To Make Delicious Iced Coffee At Home

    Published: May 29, 2021, Last Modified: May 13, 2022 by Jeri - This site uses cookies - See the privacy policy linked in the footer - This post may contain affiliate links - This blog generates income via ads

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A tall glass with ice cubes with cream being poured into it to make delicious homemade iced coffee.

    Do you love Iced Coffee but hate how much it costs at your favorite coffee shop? Would you like to be able to make one at home for a fraction of the cost and avoid line-ups? Then you are in the right place. I have a simple recipe for delicious iced coffee at home that tastes just as good, if not better, than one at the coffee house. With only a handful of ingredients, you can be sipping on a delicious iced coffee in just a few minutes.

    PIN the recipe to try it later!

    Homemade iced coffee with cream being added to the glass. this …

    I absolutely love coffee. The strange thing is I used to hate it until I was about 20 years old. I used to think it was bitter and disgusting, and I couldn't figure out why everyone loved it.

    Fast forward a few years (or more than a few 😉), and I can't wait to have that first sip of hot coffee in the morning. And do you know what might be better than that first cup of hot coffee? That's right, iced coffee!

    Iced coffee has always been a treat that I look forward to having a few times in the summer when I feel like splurging on myself. Unfortunately, at our favorite coffee shop in town, they can easily run $5 each, which is a little pricey for my taste.

    I have recently discovered that it is so easy to make your own at home, and because it is homemade, it tastes better too!

    Try my Starbucks copycat recipe for Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte, and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins!

    If you are not a fan of coffee, try my Homemade Lemon Ginger Tea. It tastes delicious served cold over a pile of ice cubes, and it is made with healthy ingredients! Or you can try Homemade Orange Julius, also a perfect drink for summer; it is cold and creamy.

    Two glasses of iced coffee with coffee ice cubes served with straws and 2 cookies and cream
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • Top Tips
    • Storage Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
    • What to enjoy with homemade iced coffee
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients

    This delicious iced coffee is made with only a few ingredients you probably already have in your house.

    • Vanilla simple syrup: Made with water, sugar, and vanilla extract. This only takes a few minutes to make.
    • Cold coffee: Brew coffee the way you usually do and let it cool to room temperature. I find it best to use high-quality coffee (I use Starbucks whole bean coffee and grind it myself, but any kind will do in a pinch).
    • Half-and-half (18% fat). You could also substitute any milk of your choice.

    Instructions

    First, make the vanilla simple syrup. All you need to make this are these 3 ingredients:

    • Sugar. I used plain old white sugar.
    • Water
    • Vanilla extract. I used pure vanilla extract.
    Ingredients needed to make simple syrup for homemade iced coffee

    Combine ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan and place over medium heat. Whisk together until heated and sugar is dissolved. This will only take a few minutes. It does not need to boil. As soon as the syrup is clear and the sugar is dissolved, it's done. Next, add in the vanilla extract. Let the syrup cool completely.

    Next, assemble your iced coffee. All you need is:

    Ingredients needed to make homemade iced coffee at home

    Fill a large glass with ice cubes, crushed or cubed (about 1 to 1-½ cups of ice). Next, add ½ cup of vanilla simple syrup, 1 cup of coffee, and ¼ cup of half-and-half. Add your favorite straw and stir to combine ingredients. That is all there is to it! I told you it was simple! Drink up and enjoy it any time you like!

    Stir iced coffee with a straw to combine ingredients

    Since iced coffee is so easy to make at home, I have been enjoying this lovely drink quite a bit lately!

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Vegan: Substitute coconut cream for half-and-half.
    • Add a sprinkle of cinnamon
    • Mix in 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder for a mocha flavor
    • Add in 1 teaspoon of chocolate syrup for a mocha flavor
    • Skip the vanilla simple syrup and sweeten with maple syrup or honey to taste

    Top Tips

    • I made the simple syrup 2 different ways, once with cane sugar and once with white sugar, and it tasted so much better with the white sugar. Interestingly, I thought the cane sugar would be just as sweet, but I was wrong. I feel that this is something of a treat, so having white sugar once in a while is fine.
    • Half-and-half makes this absolutely creamy, but if you want to cut down on fat content, whole milk or milk of your choice would be fine; it just won't be as creamy, but hey, the choice is all yours.
    • Whenever I have leftover coffee in the morning, I like to pour it into ice cube trays and freeze it into coffee ice cubes. When frozen, I put them into a freezer bag, and then I grab them anytime I make an iced coffee; that way, I don't have watered-down iced coffee.
    • I make the coffee earlier in the day or the night before and then place it in the fridge, so it is ready to use when I want to make a perfect iced coffee.

    Storage Tips

    Simple syrup will keep in the fridge for about 1 week in an airtight container.

    Iced coffee in a glass of ice cubes with whole coffee beans on the counter around the glass

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    What is vanilla simple syrup?

    Simple syrup is one of the main sweeteners used in cocktails and other beverages, like iced coffee, because it blends so well with liquid ingredients. It is a mixture of sugar and water heated up until the sugar dissolves, and vanilla extract is added for extra flavoring.

    What is the difference between iced coffee and iced latte?

    The difference is in the ingredients and how they are prepared. For example, a latte is made with steamed milk, espresso coffee, and foam. On the other hand, iced coffee is made with regular brewed coffee, milk or cream, and poured in a glass with ice.

    What is stronger, an iced latte or an iced coffee?

    An iced latte is made with espresso; therefore, it has more caffeine than an iced coffee and has a much stronger taste.

    What to enjoy with homemade iced coffee

    • Easy Crispy Buttermilk Belgian Waffles
    • Quick and Easy Fluffy Oven-Baked Omelet Casserole
    • Perfect Oven-Baked Cod Fillet In Shrimp and Mushroom Sauce

    If you’ve tried this Iced Coffee Recipe or any other recipe, please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you!

    You can also Follow Me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Please tag me in your photos at #windingcreek_ranch. I would love to see your pictures!

    📋 Recipe

    Homemade iced coffee with cream being added to the glass.

    Iced Coffee Recipe - Easy and Delicious

    Do you love Iced Coffee but hate how much it costs at your favorite coffee shop? Would you like to be able to make one at home for a fraction of the cost and avoid line-ups? Then you are in the right place. I have a simple recipe for delicious iced coffee at home that tastes just as good, if not better, than one at the coffee house. With only a handful of ingredients, you can be sipping on a delicious iced coffee in just a few minutes.
    5 from 72 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: iced coffee, easy iced coffee, easy iced coffee recipe
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 serving
    Calories: 208kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup coffee, room temperature, or chilled
    • ¼ cup half-and-half

    For the vanilla simple syrup

    • 1 cup water
    • ½ cup white sugar
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    Prepare the vanilla simple syrup:

    • In a medium-size saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the white sugar and water until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract. Cool completely.

    Assemble your iced coffee:

    • Take a large glass and fill it ⅔ of the way with ice cubes. Add 1 cup of coffee to the glass, ½ cup of simple vanilla syrup, and ¼ cup of half and half cream.
    • Stir well to mix, and enjoy!

    Notes

    Nutritional information is approximate and is meant as a guideline only.
    Storage: Simple syrup will keep in the fridge for about 1 week in an airtight container. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 35.9g | Protein: 2.1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4.3g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 30mg | Potassium: 195mg | Sugar: 33.4g | Calcium: 68mg
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    Comments

    1. Kayla DiMaggio

      July 16, 2021 at 9:18 am

      5 stars
      This was such an easy recipe to follow! Thanks so much for sharing, it was delicious!

      Reply
    2. Jeannie

      July 15, 2021 at 11:56 pm

      5 stars
      I haven't had iced coffee for a while now, thanks for this. Excited to try the recipe 🙂

      Reply
    3. Amy

      July 09, 2021 at 2:46 pm

      5 stars
      Love this!! Such a better option to sitting in line waiting for a drink!

      Reply
    4. Gina

      June 01, 2021 at 5:25 am

      5 stars
      Love this step by step and especially the homemade vanilla syrup. Iced coffee at home has never tasted better!

      Reply
      • Jeri

        June 01, 2021 at 7:45 am

        Thanks, Gina! I'm glad you like it!

        Reply
        • Michelle

          May 11, 2022 at 1:48 pm

          5 stars
          Yum! This was so good! I love coffee drinks, but not the sugar. Made the simple syrup w/ Allulose and used Oatmilk in place of the half and half. Now I can feel good about indulging in my once guilty pleasure! Thanks for sharing!

          Reply
          • Jeri

            May 11, 2022 at 2:38 pm

            You're welcome, Michelle! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe and thanks for trying it. 🙂 I too like to make mine with oat milk!

            Reply
    5. Danielle Wolter

      June 01, 2021 at 4:42 am

      5 stars
      What an awesome idea! As we roll into summer, I'm definitely going to be drinking these at home.

      Reply
      • Jeri

        June 01, 2021 at 7:46 am

        They are delicious Danielle, and so easy!

        Reply
    6. Jac

      June 01, 2021 at 2:41 am

      5 stars
      Prepared the vanilla iced coffee for my daughter who just loves these drinks at the minute. She loved it and said it was tastier than the one we buy at the store. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jeri

        June 01, 2021 at 7:49 am

        I'm so glad your daughter liked it, Jac!

        Reply
    7. Gavin Sutherland

      May 31, 2021 at 11:16 pm

      5 stars
      So good - I had to stop myself from drinking too many of them at the weekend..........

      Reply

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