It doesn’t need to be hot outside to enjoy a tall glass of iced coffee. And there’s no need to visit a coffee shop when you can prepare it in your own kitchen.

Dear Lykkers, all it takes is a bit of planning. Read on for step-by-step instructions and answers to common iced coffee questions.

What’s the Difference Between Iced Coffee and Cold Brew?

Iced Coffee

Iced coffee is made by brewing hot coffee, chilling it, and then serving it over ice.

Cold Brew

Cold brew is created by steeping coffee grounds in room-temperature water to make a concentrate. This concentrate is then diluted with water or milk. Since no heat is involved, cold brew lacks the bitterness often found in iced coffee.

How to Make Iced Coffee

To make iced coffee, a little preparation is needed. Brew your coffee at least an hour (and up to 12 hours) in advance to allow it to cool.

Step 1: Brew Coffee

Brew your favorite coffee using your preferred method. For guidance on the ideal coffee-to-water ratio, refer to detailed resources on brewing techniques.

Step 2: Cool the Coffee

Allow the coffee to cool to room temperature or refrigerate it to speed up the process. Alternatively, freeze the coffee in ice cube trays. These iced coffee cubes can be melted for later use.

Step 3: Serve Coffee Over Ice

Fill a glass with ice and pour the cooled coffee over it.

Step 4: Customize Your Coffee

Homemade iced coffee can be tailored to taste. Add milk, sugar, or syrups. For a gourmet twist, consider trying a toasted marshmallow syrup recipe.

HOW TO MAKE ICED COFFEE (QUICK AND EASY RECIPE)

Video by The Dinner Bite

Can Hot Coffee Be Turned into Iced Coffee?

Brew Strong Coffee

To prevent watered-down iced coffee, brew it using half the usual amount of water to create a strong concentrate.

Cool Quickly with Ice

Pour the hot coffee over a glass filled with ice. Once it reaches room temperature, transfer it to a fresh glass with more ice.

How to Make Iced Coffee with Instant Coffee

This quick method is perfect for making a single serving of iced coffee.

Step 1: Brew Instant Coffee

Follow the package instructions. A typical ratio is 2 teaspoons of instant coffee to 1 cup of boiling water.

Step 2: Cool the Coffee

Let the coffee sit until it reaches room temperature or refrigerate it for faster cooling.

Step 3: Serve Over Ice

Pour the cooled coffee over ice and add your preferred mix-ins.

How to Make Keurig Iced Coffee

Making iced coffee with a Keurig is straightforward. While some K-cups are specifically designed for iced coffee, any K-cup can be used.

Step 1: Prepare the Glass

Fill a glass with ice.

Step 2: Brew Coffee

Brew dark coffee directly into the glass.

Step 3: Add Flavor

Enhance your iced coffee with milk, half-and-half, or other flavorings of choice.