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How to Make Iced Coffee
I’m not much of a coffee drinker. No sirree. No caffeine needed. My body is hard-wired to have an abundance of natural energy from the moment I wake up. I guess I’m lucky that way. I do love the flavor of coffee though… coffee candies and coffee ice cream and even those foo foo frozen coffee drinks that contain your total allotted calorie consumption in just a dozen sips.
That’s why on one rather sweltering afternoon recently, I grabbed my husband’s mug o’ coffee that had been sitting untouched on the counter all day long, and I made myself a rather delicious version of Iced Coffee. Here’s how to make it:
You’ll need a tall glass and a spoon long enough to reach the bottom of that glass.
Fill that glass full to the rim with ice. If you really want to get serious about your iced coffee, you can make ice cubes out of coffee too. Then you won’t get that “watered-down” effect. And if you’re into that flavored sort of coffee then go for it.
Pour room temperature (or chilled) coffee into the glass.
Fill it almost to the top.
Pour in the white stuff. Here’s where you get to make a big decision. Do you want to go all out and make this a decadent treat? If so, then add cream or half & half. If you want to go a little lighter, use whole milk or fat-free half & half. And lighter still, use nonfat milk.
Take a moment to watch the swirls sink to the bottom and mix in with the coffee. It’s a magical moment. 
Add a couple spoonfuls of sugar (if you like sweet)… or whatever sort of sweetener you usually add to your coffee.
Stir it all up!
Anticipate drinking your creation.
Add a purple straw. If you’re a straw person, that is. And drink up!
Here’s the cool part (at least I think this is kind of cool…). You’ve seen these flavored coffee creamers, right? You can always use this stuff in your iced coffee. It’ll cover both your cream and your sweetener. And if you get this particular brand… then you’ll be getting a coffee creamer with a photograph that yours-truly took! Yep, those cupcakes that you see right there– those are my White Wedding Cake Cupcakes that I posted on the site a couple of years ago.
I made those cupcakes with the pearls on top for a teacher’s wedding from my son’s school. This company liked my photo and wanted to use it for the label on their new product, so they bought it from me! Isn’t that fun?! You should be able to find this product and this new flavor- Sweet Cream- in your local market (and they definitely did not pay me to say that!!)
Enjoy your iced coffee, however you decide to make it
Iced Coffee
Yield: 1 coffee drink (easy to multiply)
Prep Time: 5 min
On a hot day, this is your ticket to cooling off...
Ingredients:
1 cup of ice
1 cup coffee, at room temperature (or chilled)
2 Tablespoons cream, milk, or half and half
1 to 2 teaspoons granulated white sugarDirections:
1. Fill a glass with ice. Pour in coffee. Add cream and sugar. Stir and drink!
2. See tips below for variations :)
Tips:
*Lighten things up in this drink by using nonfat milk... or fat-free half & half. Use your desired low/no calorie sweetener in place of sugar.
*Another option is to add a flavored creamer, which will cover both the cream and the sugar.
Source: RecipeGirl.com
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I'm Lori Lange, recipe developer, food writer and Mom. I'm sharing over 2,500 of my favorite recipes and theme menus with you. 
Lauren at Keep It Sweet — July 11, 2011 @ 3:59 AM
I’m addicted to iced coffee in the summer:-) Love your cupcake photo on the creamer!
Lori @ Girl Meets Oven — July 11, 2011 @ 4:09 AM
This looks like my kind of summer drink! It’s just like how I make my hot coffee, minus the ice. Now that it is so hot out, I’ll have to try this cool version. Beautiful pictures too. Thanks for sharing.
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen — July 11, 2011 @ 6:07 AM
Lori this is just about the coolest story ever! (No pun intended.) How awesome that a creamer company bought your cupcake photo!!!! Yay you!
Miss — July 11, 2011 @ 6:20 AM
That is just so cool to see your photo on a product, good for you! The coffee looks like the perfect drink for a hot afternoon!
kelley — July 11, 2011 @ 6:36 AM
The perfect afternoon pick me up for the morning cup of coffee that I never seem to finish. I’m a half and half kind of gal all the way!
Marla — July 11, 2011 @ 7:17 AM
I am a HUGE fan of iced coffee! Your looks amazing & a big congrats for that creamer photo. Those cupcakes are beautiful
Angie @ Bigbearswife — July 11, 2011 @ 7:18 AM
That is so neat that your photo is on the bottle~!!!
Kristina — July 11, 2011 @ 7:24 AM
That is so awesome! Congratulations! It’s a great photo, too. No wonder they wanted it.
Jenny Flake — July 11, 2011 @ 7:32 AM
That is so cool to see your cute cupcake photo on the creamer! It looks awesome! xoxox
Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray — July 11, 2011 @ 7:56 AM
How exciting! That is so cool, the photo looks great! And let me say, I am jealous of your natural energy, wish I didn’t need caffeine!
Kristina Vanni — July 11, 2011 @ 9:18 AM
How cool! I have that creamer in my fridge right now!
Lori Lange replied: — July 11th, 2011 @ 9:20 AM
Really?? That is so funny. They were almost sold out of that flavor when I saw them at my local market, so perhaps the new cupcake flavor is doing well!
Mary — July 11, 2011 @ 9:22 AM
Lori,
Your cupcakes are beautiful!
I love iced coffee and make it with farm fresh raw cream and a touch of stevia for sweetness. I’m not a fan of the coffemate type creams because they are highly processed.
All the best,
Mary
Kim {Recipes To Run On} — July 11, 2011 @ 9:30 AM
The recipe sounds perfect! May have to treat myself today {it’s “one of those days” so a treat is needed}. Congratulations on the photo, it’s beautiful. Can’t wait to find that flavor/your pic in my store…. That’s my favorite kind of creamer {I’m addicted to the Hazlenut}. Have a super start to your week!
Cookbook Queen — July 11, 2011 @ 9:41 AM
I’m not a coffee drinker either, but my husband is ADDICTED. I DO enjoy caramel Frappucino’s though!! I bet I would love this.
And how COOL about your cupcake picture!! You’re famous
Maria — July 11, 2011 @ 9:49 AM
Great way to enjoy coffee during the hot months!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme — July 11, 2011 @ 9:54 AM
I love, love, love iced coffee but I almost never think of making it at home. I don’t know why because it’s so easy. Thanks for reminding me, Lori. I’ll be enjoying iced coffee much more often now!
Ronda — July 11, 2011 @ 10:17 AM
That is so awesome!!!! You are famous!
XOXO
Katrina — July 11, 2011 @ 11:20 AM
Yum! Can’t wait to try this. Beautiful morning idea.
Amanda — July 11, 2011 @ 11:29 AM
About a month ago I started cold brewing iced coffee (I just grind the beans and mix with cold water and leave, covered, in the frige overnight, then strain in the morning). I’ve been making about 10 cups worth, and it’s concentrated, so it lasts me a couple of weeks per batch. I keep it in the giant mason jar drink dispenser (with spigot) that Pottery Barn has right now. It is a life saver on rushed mornings, and is totally delicious! Recommended.
Your cupcakes are beautiful, and it’s the coolest thing ever that you can see them in the grocery store!!!
Angie@Angiesrecipes — July 11, 2011 @ 12:16 PM
o gosh..I love your photography……they are so good that I want to rush to the kitchen and make myself a glass of iced coffee immediately!
Cookin' Canuck — July 11, 2011 @ 1:04 PM
Ice coffee and ice lattes are my favorite way to cool down in the summer. You’ve inspired to get up from the computer and make one right now.
Maris(In Good Taste) — July 11, 2011 @ 3:04 PM
How exciting for you! Great job!
averagebetty — July 11, 2011 @ 3:23 PM
I love iced coffee and purple straws… must say I’m a little jealous you wake up ready to go! Congratulations on your DELIGHTFUL Cupcakes! How cool are you?!?!
Lori Lange replied: — July 11th, 2011 @ 5:02 PM
Yeah, I’m pretty cool aren’t I? lol…
Wholesale Coffee — July 11, 2011 @ 3:30 PM
What is even better is if you cold brew coffee from the start: ground it coarse, add it to a container, add cold water, put in fridge for 8-12 hrs. Take it out and strain out the grounds, then strain the coffee again thru a fine cloth and put back into container and into fridge again. This method is less acidic and will last for about 2 wks and taste great every time! Coffee to water ratio: 1lb coffee to 1 gal water. You can also get a Toddy maker and make it that way. My description is the same process and a lot cheaper. Good luck and enjoy!
Lori Lange replied: — July 11th, 2011 @ 5:01 PM
Sounds good! I’m never that organized, and an iced coffee for me is just a once in a while thing so I’m not sure I’d use that method. But I’d certainly love to try it!
Parsley Sage — July 11, 2011 @ 6:06 PM
Oh, I love your little dribble! I’m a train wreck in the kitchen so its nice to see I’m not the only one who makes messes
Great recipe, love me some iced coffee!
Tracy — July 11, 2011 @ 6:34 PM
Love the tutorial on making iced coffee, and how cool that your photo is on my favorite brand of creamer! I haven’t tried that particular flavor before, so now I’m going to have to just so I can say that I know the blogger who took the photo.
Michelle @ Brown Eyed Baker — July 11, 2011 @ 6:37 PM
I’m not a coffee drinker, but this looks absolutely delicious! Maybe if I added enough sugar and cream…
Alejandra — July 11, 2011 @ 7:41 PM
That is seriously cool!! Way to go! What a fun claim to fame–I bet the teacher who got married would also be excited to know her wedding cupcakes are on the creamer bottle. Did you tell her?
Ilke — July 11, 2011 @ 7:48 PM
I made my first iced coffee this past weekend because I was sanding and painting a wooden bench in 98 degree weather outside. Why I did that, I have no idea! I just wanted to get it done!
I did not like the watered down effect with the ice cubes. Good idea on freezing leftover coffee and use that. Thanks for that tip!
Kulsum at JourneyKitchen — July 12, 2011 @ 3:53 AM
Ice coffees are summer must no? Love this!
jeny nour — July 12, 2011 @ 7:43 AM
Consider crushed ice for the best ‘swirls’ sensation, it really gives the cream a thrilling ride to the bottom of the glass.
Lori Lange replied: — July 12th, 2011 @ 9:15 AM
cool- fun tip! Love watching the swiiiirl…
Samantha @ HecticGourmet — July 12, 2011 @ 8:04 AM
Iced coffee is the only way I can drink coffee. Making ice cubes out of coffee is a good idea, because my problem is that it gets watered down. If I think in advance, though, I can make a pot of coffee and keep it in the fridge overnight so in the morning I can pour and go.
And how fun to have your cupcake picture on a coffee creamer bottle!!
Lala — July 12, 2011 @ 10:00 AM
I love iced coffee, I first tasted it when I was in Bangkok, Thailand but they only used evaporated milk, this is awesome! By the way, your cupcake photo is so pretty. How do you make the frosting, what kind of tip did you use? Thanks!
Lori Lange replied: — July 14th, 2011 @ 10:58 PM
Here is my post on the wedding cupcakes… with all of that information http://www.recipegirl.com/2009/03/17/how-to-make-wedding-cupcakes/
Barbara — July 12, 2011 @ 10:16 AM
I’m not a coffee drinker…I go the iced tea route. But I can tell you my mother adored iced coffee. She loved to watch that cream swirl as it went in. Just reading this made me smile in memory!
JulieD — July 12, 2011 @ 1:16 PM
That is so cool, Lori! I think I remember you tweeting something a question that may have alluded to this. Good for you!
Jane — July 12, 2011 @ 7:12 PM
I love iced coffee! My favorite way to make it is to add a little vanilla soy milk in addition to sweetener. Yum! I also use the cold brew method and have found a French press coffee maker works well and makes the straining part much easier.
RhodeyGirl — July 13, 2011 @ 10:37 AM
Congratulations on the photo!
I love iced coffee and NEVER drink hot coffee. I think adding a lot of normal ice is best because it tastes soooo much better after the ice has melted just a touch. YUM!
Susie — July 13, 2011 @ 6:13 PM
So awesome that they bought your photo! Congrats!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com — July 13, 2011 @ 10:32 PM
Congrats on the gig Lori! Those cupcakes looks so regal
I’ve been downing a huge amount of iced coffee lately. I blame it on sweltering hot weather here in Florida 
Megan — July 14, 2011 @ 8:25 AM
Too cool about the picture. The cupcakes do look awesome! I’ll have to try the creamer when I see it and tell everyone I know the girl who made those cute cupcakes. Too fun! Now, I could really go for that iced coffee.
The Cilantropist — July 14, 2011 @ 10:42 PM
Wow love that your cupcake photo is on the creamer – too cool! And unlike you, I NEED my morning coffee.
Now that it has been warmer, iced coffee sounds perfect!
Courtney — July 15, 2011 @ 8:03 PM
I absolutely loveee iced coffee. Love the picture of your cupcakes, how cool is that!!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga — July 16, 2011 @ 1:33 PM
I adore ice coffee. And the link to how I make mine is live on my current post. And I relink that post all the time..b/c I ALWAYS have iced coffee. And I shot my pics on dark wood. Great minds think alike.
Congrats on I.D. using your cupcake picture!!!! That is soooo cool! I want that creamer! I have a thing for Coffeemate French Vanilla creamer. Like I could guzzle it. Must try that I.D. sweet creme one!
Lynn — July 17, 2011 @ 6:19 AM
That is so cool that they bought your photo! You must get a happy glow inside, every time you see that product. Thanks for the iced coffee directions. My daughter is going to love this!
lynda — July 18, 2011 @ 1:50 PM
Congratulations! I am so happy for you!
Thanks for the iced coffe info- as always you are the best!
Looking forward to my time- soon- on tCape Cod and once again using a few (a lot) for your receipes……..again I am so happy for you!
Lynda
Sandee Baker — July 19, 2011 @ 3:39 PM
Love all your photos. You are an artist!
Crystal — July 25, 2011 @ 4:07 PM
I LOVE iced coffee! But I’ve never made it myself at home. I definitely will now!
Amy — July 27, 2011 @ 3:12 PM
I love this so much. I love photography and these pictures are so cute. I really adore how I came to this page and I didn’t even need to read, I could just go along with the pictures. With such a well thought out description though, I figured I should read it. By the way, I never leaves comments on these types of sites, I just really had to this time!
Lori Lange replied: — July 27th, 2011 @ 6:19 PM
Amy- you’re so cute
. Thx for the sweet comment!
Emily — July 29, 2011 @ 7:58 AM
I love iced coffee! I prefer it to hot coffee, especially in the summer. However, I always add sugar to it when it’s still hot so that it dissolves better. I also like to brew it stronger so that it doesn’t get watered down when the ice melts. The coffee ice cubes are a great idea! I recently discovered your website and I am already in love with it!! Thanks for all your amazing recipes.
Cindy — July 29, 2011 @ 6:35 PM
I make Iced Coffee by taking a tall glass, adding instant coffee & hot water 1/4 the way. Then spring water another 1/4 the way, lots of cubes,sugar & milk. Always tastes great.
Lise — September 13, 2011 @ 1:18 AM
What kind of coffee do you use? Any good tips? Expresso, regular, instant???
Lori Lange replied: — September 13th, 2011 @ 9:17 PM
Hi Lise, I’m really not that much of a coffee drinker, so any coffee works for me. I just brewed it in my Keurig.
Lise — September 14, 2011 @ 2:05 AM
Thanks Lori, I’m all for trying the different possibilities. I usually make my coffee in a Cafetiere!
)
Got hooked on iced caffee some years ago in Vietnam
Sarah — September 16, 2011 @ 11:41 AM
Hi, I was just wondering how long does it take to cool the coffee? Thanks!
Lori Lange replied: — September 16th, 2011 @ 12:51 PM
An hour or so…? Or put it in the fridge to speed things up!
Robin — September 26, 2011 @ 10:15 AM
Delicious
also added a little vanilla extract in there. Perfect!! <3
Farmills — October 16, 2011 @ 2:04 PM
Thank you for this recipe! I tried it today and loved it. I was craving iced coffee, but did not want to spend the money on it. This was perfect!
hendo — October 17, 2011 @ 4:14 PM
nice photography… thanks for the recipe
Melissa — October 31, 2011 @ 9:42 AM
Am not a coffee drinker but pushed brew now instead of delay on husbands morning coffee so i am making the ice cubes now and am going to try recipe let you know how it turns out. Thamks
Shari — November 22, 2011 @ 7:54 PM
OMG i love it.!!!! it was amazing.!! i make it every morning for school.!!!
Mary — December 5, 2011 @ 8:09 AM
Yum! Got all the fixins for coffee for Thanksgiving while none of us living here actually drink coffee. Great way to use up the economy size Peppermint mocha creamer. Thanks!
Shannon — December 31, 2011 @ 9:11 AM
So, I was reading the Top Ten Recipes of 2011 and saw this. Being the total coffee snob that I am, I had to comment.
I’m no chef, and this is strictly a humble opinion, but I think the key to iced coffee is that the coffee must be brewed very smoothly and very, very strong. A bitter or acidic taste will amplify in the cold, and the ice really waters down the coffee flavor of a normal brew.
I love the cold brew method. Keurig also makes a K-cup just for iced coffee. Both are really, really yummy!
Ok, stepping off my snobby soapbox here. This was just on my mind since it’s 80 degrees on New Year’s Eve in So Cal, and I’m going to enjoy a glass today!
Happy 2012 everyone!