How do You Make Iced Coffee?

Iced coffee can be a nice drink for a hot day or just for a fun, caffeinated venture away from your usual beverage choice. You could spend a few bucks buying iced coffee at your local coffee shop, but you don't have to, as it's easy to make iced coffee at home. All you need is a coffee maker, some of your favorite coffee and some ice cubes.

To make iced coffee, choose some of your favorite ground coffee and brew a fresh pot. The amount of coffee you'll need to get started depends on how many servings you want to make. Generally, you should count on using at least 2 to 3 tablespoons (29.6 to 44.4 milliliters) for every 1 cup (236.6 ml) of iced coffee you want to make. You may want to use a little more if you prefer your coffee a bit stronger.

Once you've brewed your coffee, carefully pour it into a pitcher that is capable of withstanding extreme heat. You can use a carafe instead, if you have one handy. Let the coffee sit in the pitcher for at least a couple of hours at room temperature; alternatively, you can put it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to make iced coffee. When you're ready to drink your iced coffee, pour it into a glass that is filled with ice cubes. Next, add your sweetener of choice, stirring well; you can also add milk or cream to suit your preferences.

Most people use darker-roast coffees to make make iced coffee. However, each person's taste buds may enjoy something different, so it's a good idea to try a few different blends. You can also add sugar to the pot when you make iced coffee instead of adding it to each glass, one by one. Sugar dissolves faster in heated beverages, so doing so may actually prove easier.

If you're pressed for time, you can use instant coffee to make iced coffee. You'll want to make it twice as strong as usual, so use twice the amount listed on the package for just one cup (236.6 ml) of coffee. To make it, put instant coffee, 3 tablespoons (44.4 milliliters) of hot water and 6 ounces (170.1) grams of chilled milk together in a sealable container or jar. Add sugar or another sweetener to this mix if you wish, and seal the container. Shake it up until a foam forms in the container; then pour the mixture into a glass filled with ice cubes, and pour in enough milk to fill the glass.