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Homemade Iced Coffee is easy to make, tastes just as good as the coffee shop, AND saves you money by making at home. The best part of this recipe is the easy homemade vanilla syrup that can be kept for two weeks.
It’s hard to beat your favorite coffee drink to start the day. For an extra special start to the morning, pair it with a breakfast treat like this classic coffee cake or blueberry coffee cake muffins.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Homemade Vanilla Syrup – Super easy to make and adds the right amount of sweetness.
- Easy to Make and Budget Friendly – Making iced coffee at home is so easy and saves you money instead of buying it at a coffee shop.
- Use Any Coffee – You can use brewed and cooled coffee, a Keurig, or even store-bought cold brew.
Ingredients
- Brewed and Cooled Coffee – I like mine extra strong.
- Vanilla Coffee Syrup – Water, Sugar, Vanilla Bean Seeds or Vanilla Extract.
- Half and Half or Milk of choice
- Ice Cubes
How To Make Homemade Iced Coffee
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
You can easily make homemade iced coffee with cooled coffee or even with your Keurig coffee maker.
Step 1: Vanilla Coffee Syrup – Place the water, sugar, vanilla bean pod and its seeds, or vanilla extract if using, in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Cool slightly, then transfer to a glass storage container such as a mason jar.
Step 2: Make Iced Coffee with Brewed, Cooled Coffee – Fill a large drinking glass completely with ice and pour the cooled coffee over.
Step 3: Add Flavor and Milk – Add in a little syrup and half and half (or milk). Enjoy immediately as is or topped with whipped cream.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use your regular coffee to make iced coffee. It’s easiest to brew it in advance so it can cool or you’ll need extra ice to cool it down.
Iced coffee is just coffee over ice! But what makes it really special is by adding a flavoring like a vanilla coffee syrup.
Starbucks usually uses their Terraza blend which is a medium roast. The great thing about making your own iced coffee is you can use any coffee you like!
Storage
Store leftover coffee syrup in a clean glass storage container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Cooled coffee can be frozen in ice cube trays to use in your iced coffee drinks.
Helpful Tips
- Coffee – Freshly brewed hot coffee tastes best when enjoyed within an hour of brewing. You can also use cold brew coffee, store bought or homemade! I like to use Califia brand cold brew.
- Topping Ideas – Try topping your coffee drink with whipped cream or Cool Whip, and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
- Milk – Use any milk you like. Half and half, whole milk, heavy cream, almond or oat milk will all work well.
More Drink Recipes
Iced Vanilla Coffee Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces strong brewed coffee cooled
- 1-3 tablespoons vanilla coffee syrup (recipe below)
- 1-3 tablespoons half and half or milk or choice
Vanilla coffee syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped or 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- For the syrup: Place the water, sugar, vanilla bean pod and it’s seeds, or vanilla extract if using, in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved. Cool slightly, then transfer to a glass storage container.
- Fill a large drinking glass completely with ice and pour the coffee over. Add in 1 teaspoon of the syrup, and 1 teaspoon of half and half. Taste and adjust syrup and creamer as desired. Enjoy immediately as is, or topped with whipped cream.
- To make iced coffee with a Keurig: Place a large 12 ounce coffee mug filled completely with ice under the brewer. Select an 8 ounce brew on strong and start the brewer. Once it’s done, carefully pour the coffee into a tall drinking glass filled with ice and follow the recipe as directed.
Notes
- Store leftover coffee syrup in a clean glass storage container in the refrigerator for up to about 2 weeks.
- For a simple syrup without vanilla, omit the vanilla.
- Cooled coffee can be frozen in ice cube trays for your iced coffee drinks.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
