Learn how to make the perfect brew for the best iced coffee! Skip the drive-thru and take 5 minutes to whip up this sweet energy boost that you can customize any way you like it.
Iced coffee is practically a food group in and of itself in our house! Especially since we’ve got the best recipe right at our fingertips.
It’s high time the coffee love was shared with everyone! Bold claim, I know but you really won’t need any other recipe once you try this tried-and-true method for the best iced coffee.
Just be warned, it goes down a little TOO smooth and it’s way too easy to accidentally get in the habit of slamming 1-2 back daily.
No fancy techniques or tricks here today! The secret to a good iced coffee is all in the ratio of coffee to water you use for brewing and I think we finally nailed the perfect combination.
This recipe will yield coffee that’s strong, yet smooth and not at all bitter making it the perfect choice for icing and throwing in any kind of iced coffee concoction you can dream up (keep reading for all the inspiration!).
This Iced Coffee features…
- A strong, full-flavored coffee base
- The perfect base for any kind of iced coffee creation
- Minutes to make and easy to double or triple to have on hand
Making the Iced Coffee
(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)
Ingredients You Will Need
- Ground coffee
- Water
- Milk, half and half, creamer, or coffee syrup
Choosing Your Brewing Method
You have several options for how to brew your coffee. You can use a drip coffee maker, pour-over, French press, or pretty much any other coffee maker method you have in your kitchen.
The amount of coffee and water you use will stay the same regardless of the brewing method you choose. Be aware though, the grind size of the coffee may change depending on the method you use. Follow manufacturer instructions for how finely to grind your coffee.
Tips for Perfect Iced Coffee
- Weigh coffee grounds – I highly recommend weighing your coffee grounds before brewing coffee to get the most accurate measurement.
- Use a ratio of 25 grams coffee to 8 oz water – using this ratio will yield a full-flavored coffee that’s a bit stronger than your average cup of coffee making it perfect for iced coffee since ice tends to water down coffee flavor.
- Cool coffee before assembling – cool coffee completely in refrigerator otherwise the warmth from the coffee will melt the ice.
What to Put in Iced Coffee
Try these suggestions for ways to spice up your iced coffee!
- Milk – cow’s milk, oat milk, or almond milk all work great.
- Flavored creamer or half and half
- Coffee syrups – try vanilla syrup, salted caramel, hazelnut, etc.
- Chocolate syrup – a few tablespoons of chocolate syrup with milk will make an iced mocha.
Storing Coffee
Once your coffee is brewed and cooled it stores well in refrigerator up to 1 week. We love making double or triple batches of coffee so we have it stocked and ready to be made into iced coffee whenever the craving hits.
Once you try your hand at this homemade iced coffee, you will quickly learn that you can make it even better and more flavorful than most coffee shops! And for a fraction of the price, mind you.
Ready for your new favorite coffee? Cheers!
Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram with #wholeandheavenlyoven.
Watch this iced coffee made step-by-step on Google web stories.
More ways to enjoy coffee!
Best Iced Coffee
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 25 grams ground coffee
- 8 oz water
- Ice
- Milk, half and half, creamer, or coffee syrup
Instructions
- Brew coffee using a coffee maker, French press, or pour-over. Pour coffee into a jar or heat-proof container and place in refrigerator to cool completely.
- When ready to assemble iced coffee, fill a tall glass with ice. Pour cooled coffee over ice and top with your choice of milk, half and half, creamer, or coffee syrup. Stir iced coffee well to combine and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
This post was updated with new recipe tips and photos on 6/20/24.
Michele @ Two Raspberries says
yum! I’m so addicted to coffee but yes you are totally right it is so expensive to go buy it! … that salted caramel syrup looks really delicious… I’m need to see if any stores around me carry that, where did you get it from? 😉 YUM!
Sarah says
My mom bought that syrup for me, but I’m pretty sure she bought it at Woodman’s in the health food aisle. The brand is Madhava. It is SO good, Michele, and they have tons of different flavors too!
Allison says
You had me at coffee cubes. Seriously, such a great idea! That’s the #1 problem with iced coffee that I run into -it turns watery and the coffee experience is ruined! I need this beverage for the last lazy days of summer. Perfection 🙂 PS. I’m a sucker for any beverage served in a mason jar. Too cute!
Sarah says
Coffee cubes really is what MAKES an iced coffee perfect. Most coffee shops don’t do that and you definitely notice a lack of flavor! Thanks, Allison! And I’m totally there with you about drinking outta mason jars–it’s the best! 🙂
Sarah@RunningOnBrie says
This looks like the perfect fix for today. I love iced coffee! Thanks for reminding me how easy it is to make nicely at home. Your pictures are really good- I’m loving the mason jar presentation.
Sarah says
Thanks for the sweet compliments, Sarah! You’ve gotta try this homemade version—it’s blows any coffee shop’s iced coffee outta the park! 😉
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I feel your pain of being near the water but not actually being able to go in the water! Such torture! 🙂 This iced coffee looks perfect, Sarah! I love that you froze coffee and used that for the ice cubes. Such a great idea so that it doesn’t get watered down. And I love the sweetener syrup that you used! I haven’t seen that before, do you mind sharing where you found that? Great recipe!
Sarah says
Thanks so much, Gayle! My mom buys the coffee syrup for me at Woodman’s, but I’ll bet you could find it online too. The brand is Madhava. 🙂
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
Ok, don’t be mad. 🙂 I seriously LOL’d at imagining your head in a bucket of iced coffee! I’m real sorry about that – but isn’t that what friends are for??? And, I’m all about iced coffee! I love it more than hot coffee actually ~ so thanks for the great recipe and step-by-step photos!
Sarah says
Hahaha! I don’t blame you for laughing, Kristi—that would look pretty hilarious, my head in a bucket of iced coffee. BUT completely worth it. 😀
Danielle says
Ice coffee sounds so good right about now, especially when it’s almost 100 degrees where I live! That sweetener sounds ammmazing! I need to get my hands on some of that.
Sarah says
It sounds like we’re having similar weather, Danielle! Ain’t it fun? Ha-ha. And YES that coffee syrup is amazing—you so need to try it! 🙂
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
My husband would love this!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Iced Coffee during the summer is my favorite, but I’ve never made it at home. Going to have to try this and I definitely need some of that salted caramel creamer!
Sarah says
You SO need to give homemade iced coffee a go, Christin! You’ll fall in love, I guarantee. 😉
Isadora says
What an awesome idea to make coffee ice cubes!! I used to work as a barista in a coffee shop and I just can’t get enough of the smell of coffee! I’m so sorry you have to deal with all the humidity, after living in the desert for so long I can’t even imagine what that is like anymore. I would be dunking my head in a bucket of this iced coffee all summer!
Sarah says
That’s so cool that you worked as a coffee-shop barista, Izzy! Totally my dream-job, obv because of the awesome smells of coffee! LOL. And I know it’s still super-warm where you are, so I think you should join me in the head-in-the-bucket-of-iced-coffee thing, girl. 😀
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
I love iced coffee! I have such fond memories of watching my dad make a glass every morning in summer – he would always let me have one tiny sip at the end. My favorite part 🙂 Love that you used caramel syrup and coffee ice cubes – I can just imagine how amazing this tastes and super refreshing!
Sarah says
That’s so sweet that your dad used to let you “taste” his coffee! I can remember begging my mom for the same thing! LOL.