Iced Coffee
Iced coffee is a cold and refreshing coffee drink made with coffee, ice cubes, vanilla, and milk for an easy homemade summer drink.
I love making this iced coffee recipe at home during warm days because it tastes smooth, refreshing, and almost like a coffee shop vanilla iced latte.
This homemade iced coffee is made with brewed coffee, ice cubes, milk, and vanilla for a creamy cold coffee drink ready in just a few minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy homemade iced coffee
- Refreshing and creamy texture
- Better than coffee shop drinks
Ingredients You Need
- Coffee: Brewed coffee, espresso, instant coffee, or cold brew coffee.
- Milk: Whole milk, 2% milk, almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
- Vanilla: Vanilla extract or vanilla syrup for extra flavor.
- Sweetener: Maple syrup, honey, sugar, or simple syrup.
- Ice cubes: Essential to keep the drink cold and refreshing.
Tips before you start
- Use strong coffee so the flavor stays rich with the ice cubes.
- Cool the coffee before pouring it over ice.
- Use coffee ice cubes to avoid diluted coffee.
- Add more milk for a creamier iced latte texture.
- Adjust the vanilla and sweetness to your taste.
How to Make Iced Coffee
Brew your coffee and stir in the vanilla extract and sweetener while still warm and let the coffee cool completely or chill it in the fridge.
Fill a tall glass with plenty of ice cubes and pour the cold coffee over the ice cubes.
Add milk or plant-based milk and stir gently.
Serve immediately with extra vanilla syrup if desired.
Recipe Variations
- Vanilla iced latte: Add extra milk for a creamier drink.
- Mocha iced coffee: Add chocolate syrup or cocoa powder.
- Caramel iced coffee: Add caramel sauce or caramel syrup.
- Protein iced coffee: Mix with a vanilla protein shake.
- Dairy-free iced coffee: Use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
If you love creamy coffee drinks, try my latte macchiato recipe, made with steamed milk and espresso for a smooth coffee shop style drink.
Recipe Questions
What coffee is best for iced coffee?
Strong brewed coffee, espresso, or cold brew all work well.
Can I make iced coffee ahead of time?
Yes, keep the coffee in the fridge and add ice before serving.
Can I use instant coffee?
Yes, instant coffee works perfectly for quick homemade iced coffee.
Is iced coffee the same as an iced latte?
Not exactly. Iced coffee is usually brewed coffee over ice, while iced latte contains more milk and espresso.
More Iced Drink Recipes
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Iced Coffee
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: 1 glass
Description
This iced coffee is cold, smooth, and refreshing with espresso coffee, vanilla, milk, and ice cubes. A quick homemade iced coffee recipe perfect for warm days and ready in just a few minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 espresso coffee – 60 ml freshly brewed espresso or strong coffee.
- Ice cubes
- 1 tsp sugar – or maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract.
- 1/3 cup milk – Whole milk, 2% milk, almond milk, or oat milk.
Instructions
- Brew the espresso coffee and stir in the sugar and vanilla extract while still warm.
- Let the coffee cool slightly for a few minutes.
- Fill a tall glass with plenty of ice cubes.
- Pour the coffee over the ice cubes.
- Add the milk and stir gently until combined.
- Serve immediately while cold and refreshing.
Notes
Storage: Store the coffee mixture without ice in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Tips
- Use strong coffee for a richer flavor.
- Add extra milk for a creamier iced latte texture.
- Use coffee ice cubes to avoid diluted coffee.
- Adjust the sweetness depending on your taste.
- Add whipped cream for a coffee shop style drink.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
