How to Make Iced Coffee At Home

By Bean & BeanAugust 04, 2022

You may have noticed that iced coffee is becoming more and more popular just about everywhere that serves coffee. You probably have seen it in restaurants, fast food chains, in the hands of young‘uns or all over social media. Is there anything behind the hype? Or is this just another passing fad monopolized by the young today?

What is iced coffee?

Iced coffee is a general term for coffee served with ice. There are a myriad of ways to make iced coffee, but the most popular method by far is to brew hot coffee and simply cool it down over ice.

Since hot coffee over cold ice leads to weaker coffee, the trick is in having the right ratio of coffee and ice. This way the coffee will be cooled significantly, but the flavor won’t be watered down. Iced coffee is typically enjoyed plain, with milk, sugar, or a combination of both.

Most chains navigate the tricky problem of watered down iced coffee by using flash-chilling, brewing hot coffee directly onto ice. This method preserves the flavor and natural aromas that are released with hot water. Iced coffee made this way is crisper and stronger.

Can any coffee be used for iced coffee?

While you are free to use any coffee, we personally recommend our signature downtown blend. Its soft sweetness, floral aromas, and earthly undertones make the perfect summer drink for a hot afternoon.

Difference between iced coffee and cold brew

At this point you may be wondering if there’s a difference between iced coffee and cold brew. The main difference is how both are made. While iced coffee is brewed normally and flash cooled afterwards, cold brew coffee is brewed without heat and is steeped in cold water for 12-24 hours.

There are other differences in the taste as well. Since iced coffee is still brewed with heat there is a chemical change called oxidation. In comparison, the cold water used in cold brew will not extract the same things from coffee that hot water will. Because of this, the flavor of cold brew coffee versus coffee brewed traditionally is significantly different, with cold brew tasting smoother and sweeter than iced coffee.

How to make iced coffee at home

Now that we’ve covered the finer points of different styles of coffee, let's get to the main reason why you’re reading this. You probably want a big ol’ glass full of iced coffee, and are looking for a recipe. Here’s how to make iced coffee: