Homemade Iced Coffee
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Homemade Iced Coffee
This iced coffee is smooth, cold, and never watered down. The trick is to brew the coffee strong, then chill it before it ever touches the ice. Hot coffee poured straight over ice melts the cubes fast and leaves you with a weak, lukewarm cup. Brew double strength, cool it in the fridge, then build the glass with plenty of ice and the milk and sweetness you like. This makes two tall glasses and takes about 5 minutes of hands-on time.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 1/2 cup whole milk or half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Directions
- Brew the coffee at double strength, using twice the grounds you normally would for 1 1/2 cups of water. Let it cool, then chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or until cold.
- Fill two tall glasses to the top with ice cubes.
- Stir the simple syrup and vanilla into the cold coffee. Add a pinch of salt to round out any bitterness.
- Pour the sweetened coffee over the ice, dividing it between the two glasses.
- Top each glass with milk or half-and-half. Stir gently and serve right away with a straw.
Tips and variations
- Freeze leftover coffee in an ice cube tray and use those cubes in place of regular ice. They keep the drink strong as they melt.
- For cold brew, steep 1/2 cup coarse grounds in 2 cups cold water overnight, then strain. It tastes smoother and less acidic.
- Make simple syrup by stirring equal parts sugar and hot water until dissolved, then cool. It blends into cold coffee far better than granulated sugar.
- For a sweeter, creamier cup, swap the milk for sweetened condensed milk and skip the simple syrup.
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Common questions
- How do I keep iced coffee from tasting watered down
- Brew it strong and chill it before pouring over ice. Coffee ice cubes also help, since they only add more coffee as they melt.
- Can I use leftover hot coffee
- Yes. Cool it to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold. Pouring hot coffee over ice melts the cubes and weakens the drink.
- What is the best coffee for iced coffee
- A medium or dark roast holds its flavor over ice. Brew it stronger than usual so the taste stays bold once diluted.
- How long does brewed coffee keep in the fridge
- Brewed coffee stays good in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days, so you can make a batch ahead.
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