How I make iced coffee at home (without the faff!)

Iced coffee! The glorious, refreshing, perfectly chilled cup of heaven that makes even the dreariest days feel a little brighter. I drink hot coffee during the colder months but during the summer iced coffee is how I get my to caffeine fix. When I think of iced coffee I don’t want to think about complicated recipes, special equipment or having to plan hours in advance. I want it fast, easy and delicious. I want all the perks of that coffee shop iced coffee without the faff, the expense, or the waiting.

Let me walk you through my simple, no nonsense way to make iced coffee at home. It takes about five minutes, uses ingredients I always have in the kitchen and tastes surprisingly good if I do say so myself!

Step 1: Make some strong coffee!

First things first, you need coffee. I usually use instant coffee because it’s quick and I always have it in. I just make it extra strong, think two heaped teaspoons of instant coffee in about half a mug of boiling water. You want it strong because the ice and milk will dilute it a bit so starting with a weak brew is a no go. You could use a cafeteria or a pod machine if you want to be fancy but instant works just fine.

Once brewed, let it cool down a bit. I’m usually impatient so I pop mine in the fridge for 5 to 10 minutes to speed things up. If you’re really organised you can make a batch of coffee ahead and freeze some in ice cube trays for the next time. That way, your coffee won’t get watered down by regular ice cubes.

Step 2: Fill your glass with loads of ice!

While the coffee’s chilling for a bit fill a tall glass with ice. Loads of it! That clinky sound of ice in a glass feels just like summer, even if it’s grey outside and you’re still in your dressing gown. If you don’t have ice cubes, just chill your coffee longer or pop it in the freezer for a few minutes.

Step 3: Add milk or not and sweeten to taste!

Iced coffee is like a blank canvas and you can keep it simple or jazz it up. This part is totally personal. I like mine milky and sweet, so I splash in some semi skimmed milk and a little drizzle of syrup. My favourite is the Monin Caramel Syrup.

You can use oat milk, almond milk or go full creamy with condensed milk. If you don’t have syrup just stir in a bit of sugar right after brewing while the coffee’s still hot so it dissolves properly. If you want to get creative, add a dash of vanilla extract or even a sprinkle of cinnamon for a flavour twist.

Step 4: Pour the coffee and stir it up!

Once your coffee has cooled a bit and your glass is loaded with ice and milk, pour the coffee over it all and give it a good stir. At this point you can give it a taste and adjust: more milk, more sweetness or maybe another handful of ice if you want it super cold.

Step 5: Optional extras!

If you want to treat yourself, add a dollop of whipped cream on top or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce. You could sprinkle cocoa powder or nutmeg. The simple version is what I drink most days and it hits the spot every time!

This quick and easy iced coffee is my little summer pick me up. Making iced coffee at home without the faff means I can have a refreshing and delicious drink without any stress. It takes less time than going to a coffee shop and saves me money too.

Do you like iced coffee? Do you make your own?