Perfect Iced Coffee
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our privacy policy for details.
Tips and tricks to make the best, most perfect iced coffee right at home. It’s quick, easy and so budget-friendly!
why i love this recipe
- Easy, fool-proof recipe. With this easy-to-follow recipe, you’ll be making coffee-shop-quality iced coffee in no time.
- Budget-friendly. A single cup of coffee can range anywhere from $3 to $7 (or more). Making coffee at home is much more economical, letting you kick that coffee shop habit.
- Convenient and time-saving. Now you can skip that hectic Starbucks drive-thru line and enjoy a quality cup of iced coffee right at home.
- So customizable. One of the best things about homemade iced coffee is how customizable it is. Add your favorite milk, coffee creamer or sweetener. The best part? An optional easy simple syrup recipe is included below (which also works great for homemade cocktails!).
what is simple syrup
Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener made from dissolved sugar and water, primarily used for cold beverages such as coffee and cocktails. Simple syrup mixes smoothly and evenly, whereas granulated sugar can leave a gritty texture when mixed in.
how to make the most perfect iced coffee right at home
- Brew the coffee using your favorite beans and preferred method (coffee maker, French press, etc.)
- Let the coffee come to room temperature or chill overnight
- Make the simple syrup (if using), storing in the fridge to extend shelf life
- Pour the chilled or room temperature coffee over ice, adding a splash of milk, creamer and/or simple syrup to taste (starting at 1 tsp)
tips and tricks for success
- Good quality beans go a long way. Grab a bag of beans from your favorite local coffee shop.
- Use coarse ground coffee beans. Finely ground coffee beans can yield a gritty cup of coffee. Purchase coffee beans that have already been coarsely ground or grind the beans at home using a grinder like this or this.
- Room temp or cold coffee is key. Iced coffee is meant to be cold. Skip the hot coffee, making sure to use cooled down coffee to start. Adding ice to already hot coffee will yield undesirable watered down coffee.
- Start the night before. This is a great recipe to make ahead of time. Brew the coffee the night before, storing in the fridge overnight.
- Store simple syrup in the fridge. Always store simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator to extend shelf life, keeping up to 1 month.
pro tip
Make coffee ice cubes.
Don’t want your iced coffee diluted with water? Use coffee ice cubes! Opt for a stronger brew for coffee ice cubes for more flavor, freezing for at least 4 hours using a silicone ice cube tray for easy removal.
more favorited drink recipes
Tools For This Recipe
Saucepan
Perfect Iced Coffee: Frequently Asked Questions
Adding ice to already hot coffee will dilute the coffee quite a bit. Using room temperature or chilled coffee is ideal for the most perfect iced coffee.
Homemade simple syrup can last anywhere from 2 weeks to 1 month when properly stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Simple syrup can be used for cocktails, mocktails, lemonade, or even whipped cream (swapping out the sugar for a smoother consistency).
Black coffee (without milk or creamer) can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Perfect Iced Coffee
Ingredients
- 1 cup coffee, at room temperature or chilled overnight
- 2 tablespoons half and half*, or more, to taste
For the simple syrup
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Serve coffee over ice with half and half and simple syrup, adding 1 teaspoon at a time, to taste.
for the simple syrup
- Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
- Let cool completely and stir in vanilla extract; set aside in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @damn_delicious on Instagram and hashtag it #damndelicious!
This was so simple and delicious! I used milk instead of cream and it was yummy! The bit of vanilla gives it an extra kick (ok, I used bourbon vanilla, but still). Quick and tasty!
I’m just curious.. does the sugary syrup start to harden or can I put it in a jar and use it for other coffees during the week?
I stored my syrup in a jar, it remains fluid as the ratio of sugar to water is not that high and you don’t boil it down 🙂
Super simple to make. I have never made coffee this way. I honestly thought the sugar/water syrup was going to water down my coffee taste BUT it didn’t. It was perfectly sweetened by this and tasted great! I will definitely be making this again. Great for religious coffee drinkers in summer. yum!
Delightful! I had never made iced coffee before and it was a very easy recipe to follow. Turned out great!
I want to make this recipe. I don’t have any half & half right now. Could I just use a creamer?
Yes or milk! I know I’m not the creator but I drink this a lot or mix milk with heavy whipping cream hope this helps!
A simple way to make a delicious cup of iced coffee!
I loved it! imma do this everyday instead of oredering coffee. It tastes like ice shaken from starbucks, but even better!
omg! so good and refreshing glad i didnt stop at the coffee shop
Love this! I’m in the middle of making one now! I accidentally poured the vanilla extract in after the sugar dissolved while the liquid is still hot…while that change the taste of the syrup?
I did mine while hot (accidentally) and it was still GREAT!
Noice
I didn’t think the amazing reviews were true… but they are!! Found this wonderful recipe just in time for summer days . i’ve already shared it with family.
This is the best quarrantine coffee, im 13 and its delishious.
Love your easy but perfect recipe for iced coffee! It’s simple but packed with good ol’ coffee goodness. Guess I’m sticking to this recipe forever!
My daughter really loved this. She always orders from Starbucks and enjoyed this so much more
It’s delicious however there was a bit to much sugar for my liking. But otherwise 10/10!!
It does say in instructions to add simply syrup to taste
This was so bomb so here are my hacks:
1.) I do not have a coffee machine so I followed the instructions for making a cup of instant.
2.) I wanted mine right away so I let my syrup and coffee chill in the freezer for a few minutes.
3.) I’m vegan! I replaced regular creamer with almond caramel creamer and sweet almond milk. I used bone/char free sugar for my simple syrup which turned out perfect! 10/10
I love that creamer!
This was amazing I make it everyday. This puts me in a good mood for the start of the day. I would 100% recommend.
Thank you so much for this recipe! I was out of vanilla syrup at home and was looking for an alternative I could make myself. Easy to make and tasty!
I love it! It tastes as if it came from a high-end coffee shop. I recommend this to everyone looking for an easy but delicious recipe!
Absolutely LOVED it!
Thank you so much for it.
This sounds amazing. Can I use powdered non-dairy creamer? If yes about how much. Also what amount of coffee grounds per cup of water.
I’ve needed a good coffee recipe and this one is great!! I ran out of half and half though so any substitutions?
I’m using heavy whipping cream in replace of half and half.
Perfect, and I’m guessing it taste just as good!