Love coffee but can’t stand the heat? If the weather is warm and you still want your caffeine fix, cold coffee recipes are the answer. But don’t settle for the same old iced brew every day. With just a few ingredients and tools you probably already have, you can whip up some refreshing, café-style cold coffee drinks right at home. Here’s how to make five of them—each one different in taste, texture, and style.
Let’s start with the basic one. Iced coffee is the foundation. But getting it right takes a bit more than just throwing hot coffee over ice.
Brew your coffee stronger than usual since ice will dilute it. Let it cool to room temperature. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes, pour the coffee over, and add milk or cream if you like. Stir in sweetener if needed. If you want to skip waiting for it to cool, you can do a “flash brew” by letting it drip directly over ice.
Optional Twist: Make coffee ice cubes in advance so your drink never waters down.
Want something richer and dessert-like? This recipe gives you that café-style thick cold coffee made with a scoop of ice cream. It’s creamy, frothy, and sweet.
Blend everything together until smooth. The ice cream adds both sweetness and thickness, so you don’t need extra cream. Pour into a tall glass, and if you're feeling fancy, top with whipped cream or a little grated chocolate.
When To Serve: Perfect for a mid-day treat or when you want something filling and cool.
Strong, sweet, and bold—Vietnamese iced coffee is made with robust dark coffee and sweetened condensed milk. It’s simple but powerful in flavor.
Place condensed milk at the bottom of a glass. Brew the coffee using a phin filter directly over the milk. If you don't have one, a French press or very strong espresso will also work. Once brewed, stir well and pour over a glass filled with ice.
Why It Stands Out: The combination of strong coffee and condensed milk creates a bold taste with a silky finish.
Cold brew on its own is great—smooth, low on acidity, and easy to prep ahead. But try it with a hint of citrus, and it becomes surprisingly refreshing.
Mix the ground coffee and water in a jar. Add a strip of orange peel or some zest. Cover and let steep in the fridge for 12 to 16 hours. Strain using a fine mesh or cheesecloth. Serve over ice and sweeten if you want.
Flavor Notes: The orange adds a light, fresh aroma that pairs beautifully with the cold brew’s mellow strength.
If you like chocolate and coffee together, this one’s for you. It’s cold, thick, and just the right amount of sweet. Plus, it tastes like something you’d order from a coffee shop.
Blend everything until it reaches a milkshake-like texture. Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream if you have it. You can even drizzle extra chocolate syrup over the top.
Good To Know: You can swap chocolate syrup with cocoa powder if needed, but adjust the sugar to balance the bitterness.
Using milk straight from the fridge helps your drink stay cold longer.
Always brew a bit stronger than normal when using ice.
Vanilla, hazelnut, or caramel syrups can give your drinks variety.
Freeze leftover coffee in ice trays—use these instead of regular ice next time.
Taste your coffee after blending or mixing before adding extra sugar.
Each cold coffee here fits a different mood and taste. If you want something strong and bold, go for the Vietnamese iced coffee. Looking for creamy and comforting? Try the version with ice cream. When you want something mellow and refreshing with a twist, the cold brew with orange is a good pick.
The best part? You can experiment with these. Swap milk types, adjust sweetness, or combine ideas—like turning your iced coffee into a mocha by adding cocoa powder or syrup.
No matter your preference, making cold coffee at home saves money, gives you control over ingredients, and adds a little fun to your kitchen routine.
Cold coffee isn't just for summer. It's a refreshing change of pace year-round, especially when you want something smooth and chilled. These five recipes are a good place to start, but the more you try, the better you'll get at finding your perfect version. From bold to creamy to chocolatey, there's a cold coffee for every craving.
Whether you're prepping for guests, in need of an afternoon lift, or just craving something new, cold coffee has plenty to offer without stepping outside your door.
