Easy Iced Coffee at Home

This recipe is quick, easy, budget-friendly, and tastes just like the gourmet coffee-shops, if not better!

If you’re coming to my house for brunch, you know there will be coffee on the menu. Since the warmer weather has finally hit (hello heat index!), I have officially switched over from hot coffee to iced! Is there anything more refreshing than an iced latte?

Iced coffee isn’t something that I normally prepare at home. I usually take the easy route and hit the Starbucks drive through. But when inviting friends over, that could get pretty pricey.  

And I have to admit, once you start making it, it as easy to prepare as iced tea or lemonade!  

With a variety of options, such as flavoring syrups, cold milk, chocolate and spices, you can create a personalized coffee concoction that is just as delicious as those served at your favorite coffee house.

If you are new to making your own iced coffee, there are few things you need to know. Let me share my secret tips for the perfect refreshing iced coffee drinks!

Start with a coffee concentrate. I have been making huge batches of my own cold-brewed coffee. Though a little time consuming, the cold-brew will last in the refrigerator for a few weeks. You can use this as the base for your iced lattes, frappes, and even desserts!

Pour the flavoring syrup into the cup first. My two favorite lattes are caramel and mocha lattes. I made up my own syrups (to help cut down some sugar). Again, these are simple to make as well. You can store these in the refrigerator so make up as many as you want so you have them on hand.

Caramel Coffee Syrup

Ingredients:
18 packs of Sweet’N Low®
½ cup water
¼ cups caramel sauce

Directions:
Combine the Sweet’N Low®, water and caramel sauce in a small saucepan.  Heat the mixture over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until the Sweet’N Low® has dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and let cool.  Store in the refrigerator.

Mocha Coffee Syrup

Ingredients:
24 packs of Sweet ‘N Low
½ cup cocoa powder
1 cup water
¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon salt

Directions:
Pour all ingredients except vanilla into a saucepan and stir until dissolved over high heat, bringing to a boil. Simmer for several minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

To complete the drink, pour in your cold brewed coffee, then the ice, and top it off with cold milk.

Don’t let your beverage become watered down. Cool your favorite coffee beverage with ice cubes made from fresh-brewed coffee instead of water.

Be creative. Add a personalized touch to your iced coffee beverages with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, nutmeg or cinnamon. You could even throw everything into the blender and turn your iced coffee into a frappe!

Easy Iced Coffee at Home