How to make iced coffee: The best 4 ways
When the sun starts shining and the weather gets warmer, something special happens. An irresistible urge for a cold, refreshing, caffeinated drink comes along. What you need is a beautiful, smooth, delicious and refreshing iced coffee. But how do you do it? Here we have 4 ways, take your pick.
Get exclusive updates from CoffeeCode right in your inbox
Here they are. Let’s get right into it.
1: How to make iced filter coffee: The James Hoffman method
2: How to make iced coffee: The quick and easy way
3: How to make an iced coffee frappe: The blender method
4: How to make an easy iced coffee: The instant coffee “jam jar” method
5: BONUS: Starbucks at Home iced coffee recipes
Just in case you were wondering, none of these are recipes for cold brew coffee which we’ll cover another time. And it’s definitely not Dalgona coffee, which has had it’s time in the limelight over the summer lockdown of 2020. Time for something better.
We’ve listed all these in order of taste, but that’s just our opinion. The first method is the most involved, but please, please do try it. It’s definitely worth the extra effort. The last method is the easiest – bung all the ingredients in a jar and shake it.
Enough talking, time to get brewing.
1: How to make iced filter coffee: The James Hoffman method
James Alexander Hoffmann is one of the most informative and knowledgeable coffee experts out there, and you’ve probably seen his YouTube videos. He’s good. He’s written “The World Atlas of Coffee” and has won several awards and competitions, most notably the World Barista Champion 2007. This is a good one.
Prep time:
Around 5 minutes
Serving size:
1 Litre
Equipment:
A Chemex Brewer, a Hario V60 Drip brewer or a similar brewing device
Filter Paper
Grinder
Kettle
Scales
Check out this article on the best gooseneck kettle for pour over if you’re really looking to perfect your brewing.
Ingredients:
- 65g of Coffee
- 400g of ice
- 600g of hot water
Method:
You can scale this recipe up or down, just keep the ratios the same.
- Put the ice in the brewing vessel or whatever you’re brewing into, rinse the filter paper in cold water to remove any paper taste and then place the filter in the brewer.
- Grind the coffee a little bit finer than you normally would for a filter brew and put in in the filter.
- The first pour: pour in 2-3 times the weight of coffee in hot water and let it bloom for at least 45 seconds. Give it a stir.
- The second pour: Pour the remaining 600g of water in a circular motion. Try and make it last for up to three minutes if you can.
- Give it a single stir in one direction, and a single stir in the other direction and let it draw down.
- Swirl the decanter or brewing vessel to melt any remaining ice, and pour it onto fresh ice cubes in a glass, and enjoy.
Video: How to brew iced filter coffee:
James Hoffmann’s video dives a bit deeper into the science and brew ratios. Well worth a look.
2: How to make iced coffee: The quick and easy way
If you don’t have any manual brewing equipment but you do have a coffee machine, this is a great alternative method but you will need to make the coffee a little while in advance.
Prep time:
Around 2 minutes
Serving size:
1 cup
Equipment:
A coffee machine
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of black coffee, chilled or room temperature. We’re looking for a “long black” or Americano coffee here
- Ice to serve
- Milk or milk alternative
- Flavoured syrup or sugar (optional)
Method:
- Pour the chilled or room temperature coffee over the ice, almost to the top of the glass
- Add a small amount of milk to taste
- Add the syrup or sugar if you’re using it and give it a good stir and enjoy.
Note:
This will go a little watery if you don’t drink it quickly. If you’re really going to get into this then make ice cubes out of black coffee beforehand and use them instead of regular ice.
3: How to make an iced coffee frappe: The blender method
A quick and easy “frappe” style iced coffee. Very quick, and you can make it using instant coffee if that’s all you have. You’ll need a blender, obviously!
Prep time:
Around 5 minutes
Serving size:
1-2 cups
Equipment:
A blender
Coffee brewing equipment
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of strong black coffee, chilled or room temperature.
- A few handfuls of ice
- 50ml of milk or milk alternative
- Flavoured syrup or sugar (optional)
Method:
- Put the cold, brewed coffee in a blender, along with the milk and syrup if you’re using it.
- Add 2 or 3 handfuls of ice and blend it until it’s smooth, foamy and delicious.
- Pour straight into a chilled tall glass and serve.
4: How to make an easy iced coffee: The instant coffee shaken “jam jar” method
This is the “cheats” iced cappuccino, made using instant coffee. For when you need cold caffeine very fast, with no fuss. It has a great foamy head.
Prep time:
Less than 5 minutes
Serving size:
1 cup
Equipment:
A sealable jar
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons of good quality instant coffee
- 1 teaspoon sugar or flavoured syrup
- 3 tablespoons of warm water
- 180ml of cold milk
- Ice to serve
Method:
- Put the coffee, sugar and warm water in a jar and shake it until it’s foamy
- Pour it over ice in your favourite tall glass.
- Top up with milk and enjoy.
BONUS RECIPE #1: How to make The Starbucks Caramel Frozen Blended Coffee at home
Missing your takeaway iced coffee? This drink is an indulgent treat where milk, coffee and ice all come together to make a perfect summer drink.
Prep time:
Less than 5 minutes
Serving size:
1 x 450ml serving
Equipment:
A blender
Ingredients:
- 2 shots of Espresso or 2 teaspoons of instant coffee
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 2 Tbsp Caramel Syrup
- Pinch of salt
- 1 ½ cups ice
- Whipped cream
- Caramel sauce (Optional)
Method:
- Blend the coffee (instant or espresso shots) in a blender along with the milk, syrup, salt and ice. Mix on high until smooth.
- Once it’s blended, pour the mixture into your favourite glass and top your drink off with a swirl of whipped cream and an additional drizzle of caramel sauce for the full café experience.
- Enjoy!
Note:
A pinch of salt helps with the consistency of the drink, and we recommend using whole milk for a better texture.
BONUS RECIPE #2: How to make The Starbucks Iced Coconut Milk Latte at home
Coconut milk and espresso are prepared over a bed of ice in this cold, classic coffee drink that’s sweet, refreshing and delicious. Enjoy this delectable dairy-free latte anytime you’re in the mood for a fresh and tasty pick-me-up.
Prep time:
Less than 5 minutes
Serving size:
1 x 340ml serving
Equipment:
A coffee machine or method of brewing coffee
Ingredients:
- 1 shot of brewed coffee
- ¾ cup coconut milk
- Ice
Method:
- Prepare 1 shot of espresso and let it cool. You can use a moka pot if you don’t have an espresso machine.
- Pour your coconut milk and your espresso shot over ice.
- Stir and enjoy!
BONUS RECIPE #3: Mint Cold Brew Latte
Want the recipe? Head over to the Mint Cold Brew Latte recipe from Gento Coffee Roasters. You’ll thank us later.
And that’s our list done. Which one is your favourite? Are there any of your go-to coffee shop recipes you’d like to see here?
Let us know!
Credits:
We always do our best to attribute photos, videos and quotes and information to their original sources. Please contact us if an attribution or content is missing or incorrect.
