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 what I could get at a coffee shop.
Here is how to make the best homemade iced coffee from any type of ground coffee with no special machines or equipment.
This is just simple, basic iced coffee that anyone can make and enjoy. If you want to up your game then I’d recommend learning how to make cold brew coffee at home. Another option is to freeze the coffee concrete (see below) into ice cubes and use those in place of ice.
Related: How to make Whipped Coffee and How to Brew Coffee in a Chemex (Pour Over), Iced Mocha, and Mocha Frappe.
Iced Coffee Ingredients
- Ground Coffee
- Water
- Spices (Nutmeg, Ginger, Cinnamon)
- Milk or Cream
- Sweetened Condensed Milk (Optional)
- Ice
How to Make Iced Coffee
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!
More Iced Coffee Recipes:
- Coffee Soda
- 5 Cold Brew Coffee Recipes
- Pumpkin Spice Syrup Recipe – to add to your iced coffee
- German Chocolate Cake Iced Coffee
- Coconut Coffee Cream – no dairy or refined sugar
- Lavender Ice Coffee
Get our FREE recipe guide with our most popular recipes of all time!
Free Popular Recipe Guide
Our top 25 recipes of all time!
Get the Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ½ quarts water
- 5 ounces coffee (ground)
- 2 tablespoons spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, or ginger)
- milk (or sweetened condensed milk)
Equipment
- pitcher or large mason jar
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.Now you have your iced coffee base. This size will usually last me a few days to up to a week.
- 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.
- Fill a glass with ice and pour in your chilled iced coffee. I love it plain with a few generous tablespoons of cream or condensed milk.
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
So good!
It looks so yummy
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.
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!
Have to try! Yummy! 😀
backtofive.blogspot.combacktofive.blogspot.combacktofive’s twitter
xoxo backtofive
This is such a great idea!! I can’t wait to try it..looks delicious!! Thank you so much!
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!
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
Yummy ! i want to taste it !
Kisses
Hannah
Elegantesque Blog
hi Emma thx for sharing. These pics are amazing. I want to try this:)
xx chris
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
I love iced coffee on a hot dsy…i will definetly try this.
www.LesliMarie.com
great ideea,thank’s! xxxx
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/
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
i love this idea so much. and the pictures that illustrate are just so lovely. thanks for a great post!!
xx rae
loveforschoolgirl.net
sounds delishhhhh I must try!
Great idea! I have also felt that at-home iced coffee is never as good. Any coffee recommendations?
OMG YUM!!!
Looks like a great recipe for the summer… I’m going to give it a try!