How to Make Iced Coffee

Cool off your morning cup of joe with this easy iced coffee.

Are you a coffee lover? I sure am. Every day starts with a freshly brewed cup of coffee and I look forward to both the ritual, the aroma and the flavor. When the outside temperature starts to climb, however, I'm not always so excited about that piping hot cup to start my day. What better to remedy that problem than a tall glass of iced coffee?

You don’t have to spend a ton of money at the coffee shop to get your hands on the perfect iced brew. In fact, whether you prefer your iced coffee black, with cream, sweet, or unsweetened, I’m going to walk you through the steps to assembling an iced coffee that suits your tastes. It won’t be long before you've got it down to a delicious science.

1 ADD ICE

The first component of iced coffee is, evidently, a tall glass of ice (a 12 ounce glass is standard). Opt for cubed rather than crushed, because crushed ice melts faster and waters down your coffee too quickly.

TIP

Pour brewed coffee into ice cube trays and freeze to make coffee-flavored ice! This will help to keep your drink from getting watered-down.

2 ADD CREAM

You can also opt for half and half, milk, almond milk, soy milk, flavored non-dairy creamers, etc. If you are unsure about just how much cream to add, start with 2 ounces. Add a little more in Step 4 if you prefer a creamier finished product.

3 ADD FLAVOR

Flavored coffee syrups are the premium products that make coffee shop concoctions taste professional. The good news is that they’re readily available and actually not all that premium! Flavored syrups are affordable and can typically be found in the coffee aisle at your local grocer. Start with 1-2 teaspoons of your favorite flavor and adjust from there if you want more sweetness.

4 BREW STRONG COFFEE AND ADJUST

The most important part of making a fabulous cup of iced coffee is brewing strong coffee. Add 1 heaping tablespoon of extra coffee grounds to your normal measurement in your drip coffee maker. This is to counter the ice melt.

Once your coffee has brewed, add it to your glass, taking care to leave a bit of room if you need more cream or syrup. Top with whipped cream for an extra-tasty treat.

About Heather T.

Heather, who runs SugarDishMe.com, has been making messes in the kitchen since she was a little kid when her mom handed her a cook book and told her, “If you can read, you can cook.” Today she serves up fresh, healthy eats, easy weeknight meals and decadent sweet treats.