Iced coffee is my favorite way to start a warm spring or summer day. Sorry, hot coffee—when the temps are high, only the iced stuff will do.

In the last few years, iced coffee drinks have exploded in popularity. But I find that people often get them at coffee shops instead of making them at home.

This iced coffee recipe is here to change that!

It’s SO simple, you can customize it with your favorite milk or sweetener, and it’s more affordable than ordering iced coffee out. If you’re an iced coffee fan, give it a try. I think you’ll love it!

How to Make Iced Coffee at Home

I love coffee with a rich, strong flavor. The challenge of iced coffee is that as the ice melts, it dilutes the coffee, which can make it taste watery. No thanks!

For great-tasting iced coffee, start with cold or room temp coffee, not hot coffee, which melts the ice quickly.

Coffee Options

Here are two great options:

• Cooled hot coffee – Brew hot coffee using your preferred method, then allow it to cool to room temperature or chill it in the refrigerator.
• Cold brew – Made by steeping ground coffee in cold water for 12 to 24 hours, then straining the coffee grounds. This method yields a richer and smoother flavor! You can find ready-made cold brew in stores or make your own.

To make iced coffee, start by filling a glass with ice cubes. Then, pour the cooled coffee into the glass. Top it off with your milk of choice, whether that be almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or whole milk.

Sweetener Options

If you like, you can sweeten your iced coffee to taste. Here are a few sweeteners that work well:

• Sugar – Stir until it dissolves.
• Simple syrup – Make my basic simple syrup recipe or flavored ones with vanilla or cinnamon.
• Maple syrup or agave nectar – Perfect for natural sweetness!

Iced Coffee Recipe Tips

• Strong coffee is best. Dilution means you want a robust brew.
• Get ahead. Make coffee in advance and store it in the fridge.
• Make coffee ice cubes. Freeze leftover coffee in ice cube trays to maintain flavor.

More Iced Drinks to Try

If you love this recipe, try one of these delicious iced drinks next: