Until recently I wasn’t a big believer in homemade iced coffee. I’ve tried out a few recipes (some I found, some I made up) and found a few variations I like OK. But nothing that really compared to good barista made iced coffee. Plus, making single serving iced coffee at home is sort of a pain. It is a paint to steep coffee that long for only one mediocre cup. But then I tried out this recipe. And life changed. I’ve tried a few variations since then and I found what works best for me. Here’s my favorite homemade iced coffee variations.
Iced Coffee, makes about 5-6 servings
Needed: 2 1/2 quarts water to 5 ounces ground coffee, 2 tablespoons any combination of spices. Milks and sweeteners as you like (I share my favorites below).
In a large pitcher combine the water (cool or lukewarm), spices, and ground coffee. I currently like to use all cinnamon. But you could try a little cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. Try different combinations for the seasons! Give the mixture a stir and let it sit for about 8 hours. I usually mix this up at before bed. After it’s set strain the coffee through cheesecloth or a funnel and coffee filter in to another pitcher. Now you have your iced coffee base. This size will usually last me a few days to up to a week.
Fill a glass with ice and pour in your chilled iced coffee. I love it plain with a few generous tablespoons of cream.
Another great variation is to try adding a few spoonfuls of sweetened condensed milk. Try it! Just add a spoonful or two at first and adjust the sweetness level as you taste.
You can always add more cream, milk or sugar; but taking out sweetness is much more difficult. Taste and find your perfect iced coffee combination!
xo. Emma
Iced Coffee
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 quarts water
- 5 ounces ground coffee
- 2 tablespoons any combination of spices
- milk and sweeteners optional
Instructions
- In a large pitcher combine the water (cool or lukewarm), spices, and ground coffee. I currently like to use all cinnamon. But you could try a little cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. Try different combinations for the seasons! Give the mixture a stir and let it sit for about 8 hours. I usually mix this up at before bed. After it's set strain the coffee through cheesecloth or a funnel and coffee filter in to another pitcher. Now you have your iced coffee base. This size will usually last me a few days to up to a week.
- Fill a glass with ice and pour in your chilled iced coffee. I love it plain with a few generous tablespoons of cream.
150 Comments
Gasp, love the new layout!
http://www.tinacious.me/
I love the new blog design so clean and uncluttered! <3
Looks delicious! I use a “toddy” that most coffee shops use to make their iced coffee concentrate.
http://mistergandmecrafts.blogspot.com/
Love, love, love this idea!
Oooh delicious lookin! Def gotta give this one a try!
I also like to brew my coffee in the morning and use my premade coffee cubes to blend with the coffee + half and half and flavors and sugar to make “frappuccinos”. I got the idea for coffee cubes from you guys!
I’ve been making her iced coffee since last year but have never thought of adding spices! Definitely trying some cinnamon with my next batch!
I can’t wait to try this! I usually brew hot coffee and then just stick it a pitcher in the fridge to use for the week, but this sounds way cooler, and I love the idea of adding spices!
Another good way to flavor iced coffee: original almond milk (it’s sweeter than milk but has fewer calories) with flavored agave sweetener- the vanilla flavor reminds me of creme brule! I can’t wait to try sweetened condensed milk, though! Sounds like a treat.
Sounds delicious! I am loving the new blog layout. Very accessible.
cool.. nica..:) http://lovesimplegreen.blogspot.com/
Iced coffee may be the perfect afternoon beverage (though I’m probably biased since I was a teen in the Pacific NW US in the 90’s when coffee was not only tasty but trendy as well). I am so going to try sweetened condensed milk.
Can’t wait to try this! looks just perfect.
Mmm thanks for sharing! I think I want to try this!
I halved the pioneer woman’s recipe too! I couldn’t imagine having so much on hand!
Love love love iced coffee! I’ve been looking for a good recipe to make it at home so I’m pretty happy about this post. Thanks for sharing Emma!
xx
http://www.thrifted.ca
Yummy yum! Iced coffee is pretty much my favorite treat in the world.
http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com
Yummy! I never would have thought to put sweetened condensed milk in my iced coffee. I wonder how it would be blended…?
YUM! This sounds totally good!
Brooke
That looks super yummy and refreshing. Can’t wait to try it!
Wow, this looks delicious!! I too have tried a lot of variations on home made iced coffee, so I’ll have to try this! Have you ever tried freezing the left over coffee so when the ice cubes melt your coffee doesn’t get watered down? I’ve tried it and it works like a charm 🙂
http://www.mythriftychic.com/
These iced coffees look so good!
I don’t know why I’ve never thought to add some spice like cinnamon or nutmeg!! Sounds absolutely perfect! Cannot wait to try this with my next batch!
x
http://www.iloveublank.blogspot.com
MMmm yum! I love homemade coffee.
xO, vicky
http://www.somehowlovely.com
Love the new layout and can’t wait to try out some of these tips! Thanks, Emma! 🙂
http://viennawaitsblog.blogspot.com/
mmm I can’t wait to try this. My husband got me a Mr.Coffee cafe frape machine for mother’s day and my goodness I use that daily it’s fantastic. Maybe if I make some iced coffees too, I can give the ol’ machine a break every once and a while!
This looks so delicious! Perfect for my coffee obsession to last during the summer and coffee with sweetened condensed milk is the best!
ah, i had already been pining over PW’s and this sealed the deal — i’ve gotta try it! thanks for sharing your modifications. xo! http://blog.tarapolly.com
Mmm these look delicious! I love making anything with cofee. 🙂
http://vivikstyle.blogspot.com
Love the new layout, and this awesome recipe! I’ve been craving real iced coffee lately, so thanks for this 🙂
http://thejoyfulfox.blogspot.com
Looks yum!
LOVE the new blog layout, it goes so well!
http://kaleidoscopekingdom.blogspot.com/
this looks so good, especially if it’s made on a hot summer day. yummy~
xthesimplethingsx.blogspot.com
Sounds absolutely yummy! I haven’t personally tried to make iced coffee at home, but I may just give it a go sometime in the near future! Awesome! <3
Yum!!!! That looks delicious.
octoberchic.com
Yes! I made The Pioneer Woman’s iced coffee recipe recently and was pleasantly surprised. I too had been skeptical, but was blown away by how delicious it was! I hadn’t tried mixing in spices yet, but I’ll definitely be trying it soon. One thing I did learn is that only certain coffees taste as good. The one she recommends, Cafe Bustelo, was great, but I tried another random brand (can’t remember the name), but now I’m not straying from that brand.
Yum, yum, a hundred times yum! Sounds delicious.
http://bigandbeautifullife.blogspot.com.au
Got my eye on your blog now.thanks so much for sharing!
I make coffee ice cubes as well (in the ikea heart and star shaped silicone molds) that way it doesn’t dilute the drink down too much.
Love your blog!!!
This is my latest daily craving! Well done!
http://gandacummings.blogspot.com
looks yummy!!! will have to try it!!!
This layout is a lot easier on the eyes for me..=)
Oh, it almost sounds like Thai iced coffee. Make a strong brew and use cardamom pods and vanilla essence!
Normally I don’t like coffee but this sounds delicious!
I’ve had this when I ‘ve been on holiday in various European countries but sadly they’ve always been a bit rubbish when I’ve tried them here. When the rain stops, I think I’ll give this a go, I wonder if it works with de-caff?Rx
http://sandersonsmithstory.blogspot.co.uk/
Nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon? Oh gosh I didn’t know it could work with coffee! Cool 🙂
http://fabnfun.com
I didn’t know you can put spice in coffee interesting thanks for sharing
x
cammi
http://www.cammilicious.com/
Looks yummy!
I’m having problems converting the 5 oz of coffee to tablespoons/cups/whaterver…I don’t have a kitchen scale…that was my problem when I tried to scale down the other referenced recipe. I’m trying not to feel too frustrated, it just seems like the age old question. Does anyone have a quick answer? I tried to do an internet search but didn’t come up with an easy answer. Help!? I was making it 2 quarts water to 1 3/4 cups coffee. I found that searching through the comments of the other referenced recipe. I guess I need to invest in a kitchen scale!
Mm gotta love an ice coffee
Not sure if you enjoy coffee regularly (besides the iced version), but I use an Aeropress at home. It is a cheap-o, but oh-so-very-brilliant, contraption that makes the best coffee, or espresso, or latte…. and I have become quite the caffeine snob. And it makes it very easy to make yourself a single coffee. My favorite coffee at the moment is Stumptown “Hair Bender”. After having a baby, I NEED my coffee to get moving — and I now actually prefer my homebrew over visiting my favorite cafe.
You always do such yummy treats! 🙂
I was trying to make ice coffee a few days ago and it came out fine, but this sounds sooo much better! thanks for sharing!
http://www.adryonthedaily.wordpress.com
I love this new blog design! Very neat, polished and still personable! Iced coffee is the best for a summer morning! Yum!
Emma. I made myself a Vietnamese Iced Coffee from a magazine it and was awesome. Ever since that, I’ve never gone out to get Iced Coffee. It’s in my blog 🙂
http://www.bolubyrima.com
Great recipe! I’m going to try it this weekend!
Yum! Love the new layout and structure too 🙂 xx
YES! loved iced coffee.
http://www.eatblogpray.blogspot.com
xo
I don’t think I will be able to make this recipe as I love condensed milk so badly that by the time I open the jar it’s already finished…ouch!
Yummy, and great for summer!
http://Www.creativityandchocolate.blogspot.com
Fun take on Vietnamese Iced Coffee… But in the general science of cooking, there is something to adding hot coffee to sweetened condensed milk.
The simplest way to make killer iced coffee is to fill a french press with your normal amount of coffee (But PLEASE! not Bustelo, NEVER Bustelo, unless you’re making Cuban coffee aka cortado… per my abuelita) and filtered tape H20. Stick the french press in the fridge over night and you will have perfect iced coffee the next morning. No mess. No stress. Little work. BAM!
I loooove iced coffee. Have to try this out!
http://stainsofpaint.blogspot.com/
Can I add; make a batch of coffee to make a batch of coffee ice cubes. Helps to not water down the drink on a hot day!
This is one amazing recipe Emma, I’m such a coffee freak!
Thanks for sharing, I will try to mix some tonight 🙂
xo,
Erika
http://jasminblancboutique.blogspot.co.uk/
Looks delecious!
Hello! I love coffee! I really enjoyed your recipe!
Here in Brazil we love to use condensed milk in sweet recipes. We have the “Brigadeiro”, they are perpetual favorites with children and adults alike. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Brazilian birthday party without them.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/brigadeiro/
Looks scrumptious!
http://aclosetintellectual.blogspot.com/
Definitely trying this today!
I love iced coffee! Now I just have to wait until the summer arrives at Hamburg finally to try it! Thanks for sharing!
http://higgledypiggledywonderland.wordpress.com/
wow. that’s a lovely variation to traditional iced coffee. Going to try it for sure with cinnamon and nutmeg. I’m not so sure about ginger but i’ll try to be brave about that too =) Amazing share as always. thanks xx <3
http://glamagem.blogspot.com
http://facebook.com/glamagem
Iced coffee isn´t for me. I need coffee to be so hot that it nearly burns my toung when I drink it. But still these versions of iced coffee look really good. 🙂
what kind of creamer do you recommend? thanks for the recipe!
Mmm… I’ve got such a craving for iced coffee now. Love the new simple layout, I barely recognized the site xo
and you could take this to go- I just got these: http://cuppow.com/
and can’t wait to try them out!!
I actually freeze cold coffee too! Can’t wait to try the condensed milk trick…
This sounds amazing! Must try.
Diana
My favorite is fairly similar. I brew one pot of strong, hot coffee and add one can sweetened condensed milk along with whatever spices & flavorings I want (usually cocoa powder and a dash of cinnamon). I pour it all into a pitcher, stir, and chill. Instead of serving over regular ice cubes, I serve it over unsweetened coffee iced cubes which cuts down on the sweetness of all that sugared milk without diluting the coffee taste. Sometimes I’ll mix that up in my Ninja for a slushy-like frozen coffee.
Can’t wait to try this with adding the spices! I have a toddy maker to make cold brewed coffee. Same basic concept as yours but a bit easier as it does the straining for you…best $30 I’ve ever spent!
omg..i know! i tried a ton too but hers was the best, i use the extra to make ice cubes..keeps it coffee-licious! must have iced coffee now. haha
My husband and I were just talking about how we should have iced coffee in our fridge at all times. And Ange, yes! Coffee ice cubes make it so much better because it’s always coffee. Yum!
http://www.thepetrichor.com
I am experimenting this weekend! So excited!
yay! Ive been looking for an easy iced coffee recipe. I will be trying this one very soon
yay, it’s true – so delicious! I blogged about the same recipe too, back in April: http://whoreders.blogspot.com/2012/04/adventures-in-iced-coffee.html
People think I’m crazy because even in the dead of winter, with cold rains and frozen fingers, I’ll still be at the Peet’s Coffee and Tea getting my large iced coffee (sweetened with bit of soy milk!). Without fail, in the morning, no matter what — iced coffee.
Definitely going to try this at home — Cinnamon all the way! And I love Pioneer Woman’s iced coffee “dispenser.” 🙂
Kayla ☆ http://www.kaylanaut.com
This is amazing and may have seriously just changed my life…. lol thanks for sharing 🙂
Yum! I love these cute straws too. 🙂
Thanks!
Trish
http://www.jelly-bones.typepad.com
I make my coffee in a French press. As it sits it gets stronger and stronger. Leftover cool French press coffee 24 hours later + half and half + ice = a very delicious iced coffee!
Very cool new blog layout. I love the idea! Success to both of you. You two are fab!
This is awesome! A cool new way to do iced coffee. I am making this tonight because it’s supposed to be in the high 80’s here tomorrow and I don’t want hot coffee in the morning! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
This looks delicious! Homemade iced coffee is definitely a challenge. Can’t wait to try it!
http://subjectivelysimple.blogspot.com/
Hello ! I’ve discovered your blog three weeks ago, and I completly share your point of view about “creating a beautiful life”. And I’m very found of your outfits !
Looks delicious! I Make iced coffee at home all the time! I just make it in my french press, let it cool down completely then keep it in the fridge. The addition of spices sounds awesome though!
try pouring some of your coffee in an ice cube tray and making coffee cubes! This ways as your ice coffee melts it wont get watery 🙂
http://www.geenarose.blogspot.com
My best pal and I are gonna try these tonight! I’m really looking forward to it (:
-Tara Joy
http://beausandbows.wordpress.com
Love what you’re doing with the blog and how you’ve created personal spaces for yourselves! Have a great summer!
Nice new layout!
http://sztukastudiowania.blogspot.com/
I know this isn’t really the best place to comment on this, but since I couldn’t find another….. I just wanted to let you know that I LOVE the change to the blog! You guys make such a great team together, but it’s also so nice to read your personal blogs and get to know you both a little bit better. Now instead of just reading one awesome blog, I get to read 3 all on one site! Great job ladies!
i worked at sbux for 5 yrs, quit to move to another job and vowed not to become a $5-daily-coffee-drink-drinker. then i did become one of those… so i’ve been contemplating trying different things like this to save the mullah and the time but i’ve not actually moved past contemplation until i saw this! oh yes! thank you! i will definitely give these a go!
and your new layout looks wonderful! you ladies have super fantastic flare!
I love iced coffee and I recently bought the Toddy brewing system and it’s very similar to this but makes things a lot easier if you get super addicted to making iced coffee at home is a great investment! It brews very strong coffee for when you need some extra energy for the day!
http://www.toddycafe.com/customerservice/instructions.php
Looks delicious and perfect for summer! Just found your blog not that long ago and I am HOOKED! 🙂
Chrissy
That looks delicious!!
Val
http://valentinaduracinsky.blogspot.com/
I should try to make this drink, it looks yummy! xx
I never knew iced coffee could look more delicious but the mason jar takes it to a whole new level! Could use one of those right now in 100 degree Texas. Congrats on the new look!
Looks so delish! Definitely going to have to try this recipe. Last week I made coffee ice cubes and I think that might be the perfect addition to your tasty drink. 🙂
http://eatmakeplay.blogspot.com/2012/06/simple-iced-coffee-cubes.html
I’ve been making the Pioneer Woman’s iced coffee recipe for a few months now. I’m excited to try your variation and add the spices.
I will definitely try this one. Looks yum esp with hot weather. Thanks guys, another awesome post from you!
http://primandstuffy.blogspot.com/
Typo: “It is a paint to steep coffee that long for only one mediocre cup.” Paint should be pain.
I knew before I clicked it that your recipe was going to be the pioneer woman’s! I found her recipe a while ago, and it really is amazing! I can’t believe I ever tried making iced coffee any other way. I love leaving it in the fridge for a lot longer than 8 hours though, so it gets good and strong 😉 I haven’t had any in a while though, so your post has inspired me to go make some.
Btw, if you live with a bunch of non-coffee drinking people like I do, you can make smaller amounts. I like to just toss the coffee into a water bottle. I do a minimum of 1 heaping tablespoon per cup of water.
The new layout is adorable. Very pretty!
I am a coffee addict and this looks perfect for those hot days! YUMMY! I’m going to make this tomorrow!
Thanks!
http://ohhoneydontworry.blogspot.com/
wow emma…thanks for sharing 🙂 definitely gonna make one for myself!
btw, where did you get that lovely jars?
I tried this with cloves and ginger and it turned out fabulous! Thanks so much you guys!
giving it a go right now! can’t wait to try it tomorrow. 🙂
Instead of using filters and cheese cloth, I put it in my glass french press coffee maker (got it for $18 at Target)and let it sit overnight. When I press it in the morning, I don’t have to filter it, the press does it for me.
hi emma.
love the way you display your delicious looking drinks. am trying to buy these kind of vintage and stripy straws. are yours made of paper or plastic?
lots of love from germany.
martina
Yay! I just did this recipe, – any spices, and it is amaaaaaazing! I used to just brew a cup of coffee and let it sit, and add ice cubes later. This is definitely going to be a must-have for the next few months, thanks soo much for sharing! 😀
PS- Just a thought to anyone out there who needs to strain, if you have a frech press, BAM. Life is much easier 😀
This is such a clever idea my friend!! 😀
Thank you so much for this post! I’m currently enjoying mine – evaporated milk included 🙂 Perfection!
I don’t take cream or milk in my coffee, but my favorite sweeteners for iced coffee are pure maple syrup or cardamom simple syrup. Mmmm! I am a barista lifer too… in Seattle. 🙂
That looks delicious.
I use one of these to make a full pound overnight:
http://www.toddycafe.com/shop/product.php?productId=67
I find it works best with dark roast. I like Community Coffee’s French Roast.
Yum! I have recently started experimenting with this myself. These look delicious!
Wow this looks delicious! I tried to make my own iced coffee the other day and failed miserably! I will definitely be trying this recipe out!
Charlotte
http://www.lolaandi.co.uk
I never used to like sweet iced coffee until I moved to Cambodia. They make the best iced coffee…a really strong base so you only have to put about 1/4 into the glass.Its best when it is thick. I do like the idea of adding spices so will give that a go! Thanks for posting
Bye the way I love the new look of your blog and I really enjoy all the creativity you both share. Thanks!
omg must try!! and doesn’t everything just taste much better in a Mason jar?
Unrelated to iced coffee, I didn’t even realize you were from Springfield. For pity’s sake I’ve been to Red Velvet…
I guess I didn’t imagine anything cool could come out of this state.
What kind of coffee do you use?
WOAHHH! amazing!!
Check out my blog! What do you think? Let me know! I’d love some feedback. Maybe we can follow each other?
http://www.ultimatechicdiary.blogspot.com
Xo,S
I need to do this. It is so much healthier and cheaper to make your own at home!
Thank you soo much! I’ve been looking for a good iced coffee recipe and it seems like i got it! i will try it! 😉
I use this one, found it a while back. things I changed …I use a shot of a coffee creamer called natural bliss, they have a sweet cream that is this flavor dead on! I usea very good dark coffee (starbucks dark roast etc.)because the cold brew method rids it of the bitterness! yeah!I drink Ice coffee all summer and this summer even more so thanks to all these delightful variations! Thanks for one more “keeper”!
After being lazy and thinking it looked like too much work for a long time, I finally tried this recipe for iced coffee last night. And it really is so delicious!
Oh my goodness, the new layout is sooo much better!!! Simple is sometimes so soothing.
loove! i just made some with cinnamon for tomorrow morning. soo good for summer and easy 🙂
That recipe looks amazing. I am definitely going to give this a go. Thank you!
Looks like a great recipe for the summer… I’m going to give it a try!
OMG YUM!!!
Great idea! I have also felt that at-home iced coffee is never as good. Any coffee recommendations?
sounds delishhhhh I must try!
i love this idea so much. and the pictures that illustrate are just so lovely. thanks for a great post!!
xx rae
loveforschoolgirl.net
I love ice-coffee! I make it all the time. I just tried Starbucks instant ice-coffee packs (I do NOT like instant coffee) but their iced ones are soo good! I highly recommend them if you’re on the go.
P.S. Where did you get those straws?
xo
this is amazing, i’m such a massive iced coffee fan, but like you say, can never make it as good at home. I’ll have to try this, it looks fab 😀
Mel x
http://www.mediamarmalade.com/
great ideea,thank’s! xxxx
I love iced coffee on a hot dsy…i will definetly try this.
http://www.LesliMarie.com
That takes iced coffee to a whole different level! great post. love that glasses, that would be great for guests at the beach.
Fashion illustration, trends and techniques
hi Emma thx for sharing. These pics are amazing. I want to try this:)
xx chris
Yummy ! i want to taste it !
Kisses
Hannah
Elegantesque Blog
Hi!
I’m from Brazil and i saw your blog on signature9 and i’ll be really glad and honor if you check my website and give your opinion! I’m on this blog thing for 3 years.
Congrats for your blog btw, it’s awesome!
XOXO
tomaraquecaiaagora.com
@blogTQCA
facebook.com/tomaraquecaiaagora
Making this right now! I agree with the comment about almond milk, I personally use light Silk soy milk in very vanilla. It has just enough sweetness that I dont need to add any additional sweeteners (or calories :P)! You guys are wonderful, love your blog!
This is such a great idea!! I can’t wait to try it..looks delicious!! Thank you so much!
Have to try! Yummy! 😀
backtofive.blogspot.combacktofive.blogspot.combacktofive’s twitter
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The only problem I had with this recipe was straining the grounds and the cinnamon. I tried cheese cloth but that stopped straining pretty quickly…and was pretty messy. I ended up using a very fine tea strainer but it could only handle about a cup at a time. Still, totally worth the time, so delicious…especially with almond milk!
I’m currently living in Cambodia, which has opened my eyes to the glory of iced coffee..for 50c you can get delicious iced coffee with condensed milk from most street vendors. Have tried making my own but with little success so I’m thrilled to have found this recipe and will be trying it out tomorrow:)I’m excited about the cinnamon addition, it’s is one of my favourite flavours at the moment.
It looks so yummy