Ingredients
Making iced coffee like Starbucks requires you to have a few ingredients and gadgets such as coffee beans, a grinder, coffee mug, coffee filter, and a coffee maker. You also will need some filtered water and dark-roast coffee beans. Depending on your preference, you may also need to purchase a variety of flavored syrup, coffee creamers, and/or non-dairy creamer.
Brewing The Coffee
To make an iced coffee similar to what you get in the store, you will need to brew a strong pot of coffee, double strength if you prefer. Grind your coffee beans and add them to your coffee filter. Place the filter in the machine and pour in your filtered water. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to brew your coffee. To get the perfect cup of icy java, make sure your coffee maker is producing its optimal temperature. Once the coffee is brewed, allow it to cool or chill it in the fridge.
Iced Coffee Concentrate
For a concentrated iced coffee, you’ll need to brew a pot of coffee double strength. This means using twice the amount of ground coffee as you would for a normal pot. You can use any type of filter, although a paper filter is recommended. The concentrate will give you a much stronger and bolder cup of iced java than what you would get from a bag of instant coffee.
Preparing The Iced Coffee
After you’ve brewed your desired strength of coffee, the next step is to prepare your iced coffee. Pour the brewed coffee over a number of ice cubes. Depending on how much iced coffee you’re making, use 6-8 ice cubes per cup. Stir the drink up to dissolve the sugar if you choose to use it, and if you are serving several cups, pour the remainder of the drink into a pitcher for later.
Flavoring The Iced Coffee
If you’re looking to make a specialty drink like a mocha, latte, or caramel macchiato, now is the time to add any syrups, creamer, and frothed milk. If you’re making a basic iced coffee then you can simply add a tablespoon of your favorite coffee creamer or a splash of milk. Some coffee connoisseurs also like to add a few drops of vanilla extract. Whichever flavor combination you will choose, make sure to stir it up before serving your coffee.
Storing Your Iced Coffee
If you are making iced coffee for yourself, simply place the half-filled cup in the fridge for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you are making a large batch of iced coffee, place the pitcher, cups, and whatever other materials you are using in the fridge for 10-15 minutes for best results. This will chill the iced coffee to the desired temperature.
Serve and Enjoy
Once you’ve given the iced coffee enough time to cool and your flavors have had a chance to intertwine, it’s time to serve the perfect iced coffee. Now is a perfect time to top the iced coffee off with some whipped cream and a dusting of ground cinnamon or nutmeg. For a creamy version of iced coffee, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Making it Dairy Free
If you are trying to make dairy-free iced coffee, you have a few options. For added sweetness and creaminess, you can add an alternate plant based or animal based creamer, such as almond, soy, or coconut creamer. You can also make your own almond or coconut milk to use as the base for your iced coffee. Another option is to use a non-dairy whipped cream for topping and stirring into the drink.
Sugar and Sweeteners
When it comes to sweetening your iced coffee, you have a few options. Most people prefer to sweeten their iced coffee with sugar, but you can also use honey, agave nectar, or any other type of sweetener. You can also use flavored syrups, such as vanilla or caramel. Keep in mind that if you are adding any type of sweetener, it’s best to add it before you chill your coffee. This will ensure that the sweetener is properly dissolved in the drink.
Using Other Coffee Variations
If you want to get creative with your iced coffee, you can also try making variations on classic iced coffee by using espresso instead of brewed coffee, or even make iced latte or iced cappuccino with espresso and steamed milk. Additionally, you can also make variations of flavored iced coffee by adding different syrups or herbs like lavender to the mix.
Mocha Iced Coffee
For those with a sweet tooth, you don’t have to miss out on Starbucks’ famous mocha iced coffee. To try your hand at this tasty treat, you will need 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 3 tablespoons of coffee grounds, 1-2 tablespoons of sweetener of your choice and some milk. First, add the coffee grounds and cocoa powder to the filter and brew your coffee. Pour the prepared mixture into a mug, add the sweetener, and top with milk, stirring until everything is evenly combined. Finally, fill an ice cube tray with milk and freeze. This will give your iced coffee a rich and creamy texture.
Making it Cold Brewed
If you are a fan of cold brewed iced coffee, you can easily make this at home. For this method, you will need about 4 ounces of coarsely ground coffee and 3-4 cups of cold filtered water. Gently combine the ground coffee and the water and let it steep for a minimum of 8 hours or overnight. After this, pour the steeped coffee through a cheesecloth or strainer to separate the grounds from the liquid, and you’re ready to enjoy ice-cold brewed iced coffee.
Making it with Instant Coffee
Finally, you can make an iced coffee with instant coffee or powder. Simply combine 2 teaspoons of powder with 1 cup of cold water and stir until dissolved. To make it more creamy, add some milk or cream, and for more sweetness, add 1 teaspoon of sweetener such as maple syrup, honey, or sugar. Once properly mixed, pour the coffee over ice and serve.
