Iced Coffee Recipe
Posted Jun 15, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Learn how to make iced coffee at home, either with brewed coffee or instant coffee, with this delicious iced coffee recipe! It’s easy to make in less than 5 minutes with 4 ingredients!
This iced coffee recipe is even more delicious than your favorite coffee shop, and costs a fraction of the price!
It only takes 4 ingredients and less than five minutes to make homemade iced coffee that is smooth, creamy, bold and flavorful.
Mixed with a homemade simple syrup and cream, once you master how to make the perfect cup of iced coffee at home you won’t need daily coffee shop runs!
Iced Coffee Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions
- Strong brewed coffee. You can use instant coffee and water instead of regular brewed coffee. Or use cold brew coffee.
- Simple syrup. You can use flavored syrups or honey in place of homemade simple syrup.
- Heavy cream. whole milk, coffee creamer, etc. are good substitutes for heavy cream. Or you can use a dairy-free milk like coconut milk, oat milk, etc.
- Ice. I suggest using coffee ice cubes so the ice doesn’t dilute the flavor.
You can also use homemade coffee creamer, or pumpkin coffee creamer, instead of simple syrup and cream.
How to Make Iced Coffee with Instant Coffee
Let’s discuss how to make iced coffee two ways. First, we’ll use instant coffee.
Begin by combining 1 ½ cups of cold water with 1 ½ teaspoons (or to taste) high-quality instant coffee. You want to brew it a little stronger than the package recommends so the ice doesn’t dilute it too much.
Then, stir in the heavy cream and simple syrup – or your choice of cream or sweetener. You can also enjoy it black!
Next, stir the iced coffee until the ingredients are combined.
Then add ice or coffee ice cubes. Alternatively, you can add ice to a cup then pour the iced coffee over the ice.
How to Make Iced Coffee with Brewed Coffee
I often find myself with leftover coffee in the morning, and this iced coffee recipe is a great way to use it!
Combine coffee (brewed or cold brew), simple syrup, heavy cream in a glass.
Then add ice or coffee ice cubes.
Stir and enjoy!
Serve
Serve iced coffee in the morning or as an afternoon pick me up. If you love iced coffee and make it often, these cute glasses with glass straws & lids might be a great investment (and they’re not expensive)!
I love enjoying this recipe with our favorite breakfast recipes, especially after a refreshing smoothie or with overnight oats!
Store
If you have leftover iced coffee, store it in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This recipe makes one cup of iced coffee with the intent of it being fully enjoyed right away.
Iced Coffee Recipe FAQS
Iced coffee is made with brewed coffee or instant coffee and served over ice, while cold brew is coffee steeped in water overnight.
Yes, this iced coffee recipe is easily scaled to make for a large crowd or just yourself.
I think the best way is to use strongly brewed coffee.
Yes absolutely, I just suggest it’s strong coffee!
Yes! Store coffee in a glass jar in the refrigerator overnight to use and make iced coffee in the morning.
My best tip for this is to make and use coffee ice cubes so that you can chill the iced coffee without diluting it.
If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!
How to Make Iced Coffee Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups strong brewed coffee (cooled, or instant coffe)
- 2 Tablespoons simple syrup (or to taste)
- 2 Tablespoons heavy cream (or to taste)
- 1 cup ice (or coffee iced cubes)
Instructions
Using Brewed Coffee:
- Combine coffee (brewed or cold brew), simple syrup, heavy cream in a glass.
- Then add ice or coffee ice cubes.
Using Instant Coffee
- Combine 1 ½ cups cold water with 1 ½ teaspoons (or to taste) high-quality instant coffee.
- Stir in heavy cream and simple syrup. Then add ice.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Strong brewed coffee. You can use instant coffee and water instead of regular brewed coffee. Or use cold brew coffee.
- Simple syrup. You can use flavored syrups or honey in place of homemade simple syrup.
- Heavy cream. whole milk, coffee creamer, etc. are good substitutes for heavy cream. Or you can use a dairy-free milk like coconut milk, oat milk, etc.
- Ice. I suggest using coffee ice cubes so the ice doesn’t dilute the flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
