Are you crazy for coffee and looking for ways to mix it up? Making iced coffee beverages at home is easy, far cheaper than visiting your local coffee shop, and a great way to get a little variety in your daily coffee grind.
Flavored Iced Coffee
Take basic iced coffee and give it a little zip by using different flavors. You can select sugar-free syrups or splurge and go for a full-on sugar high.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces brewed coffee, chilled
- 1 ounce (shot glass) flavored syrup, such as DaVinci syrup
- Ice cubes
Instructions
In a large cup or glass, combine all the ingredients, mixing well.
Flavors and Combinations to Try
This is a great opportunity to get creative with your java. Try the following flavors or combinations.
- Min chocolate iced coffee - Add 1/2 ounce of chocolate and 1/2 ounce of peppermint syrup.
- Pumpkin pie spiced iced coffee - Use 3/4 ounce of pumpkin pie syrup and 1/4 ounce cinnamon syrup.
- Chocolate coconut iced coffee - Use 1/2 ounce chocolate syrup, 1/4 ounce almond syrup, and 1/4 ounce coconut syrup.
Orange-Cardamom Blended Coffee
This delicious blended coffee is fragrant with a delicious flavor combination -- orange and cardamom. The coffee starts with an orange-cardamom syrup. Make a large batch and refrigerate it for use for several days.
For the Syrup
Make this simple syrup and store it, tightly sealed, in your refrigerator for up to two months. You can also freeze it in ice cubes for up to six months, thawing one as you need it. Use only the orange part of the orange peel, not the white part underneath (the pith), which imparts bitter flavors. You can use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin from the orange.
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups sugar
- 6 cardamom pods, cracked
- Peels from 1 orange
Instructions
- In a medium-sized saucepan, bring all the ingredients to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Cool to room temperature.
- Strain the liquid into a clean container, discarding the solids. Refrigerate.
For the Iced Coffee
You'll need a blender to make this creamy cardamom-infused iced coffee. The recipe makes one drink.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup brewed espresso, chilled
- 1/4 cup half-and-half, heavy cream, or whole milk
- 1 ounce orange-cardamom syrup
- 6 ice cubes
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend on high until smooth.
Thai Iced Coffee
This iced coffee is sweet and rich, thanks in part to the addition of sweetened condensed milk.
Ingredients
- Crushed ice
- 1 cup brewed coffee, chilled
- 1/4 cup sweetened, condensed milk
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass or cup with crushed ice.
- Add the coffee, condensed milk, milk, almond extract, and ginger.
- Stir to combine.
Paleo Blended Iced Coffee
If you are on Paleo diet or don't tolerate dairy well, try this tasty Paleo diet-friendly blended coffee made with canned coconut milk and maple syrup. For best results, don't substitute coconut milk from a carton.
Ingredients
- 1 cup brewed coffee, chilled
- 1/4 cup canned coconut milk or lite coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups ice
- Nutmeg
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the coffee, coconut milk, maple syrup, cocoa powder, and ice.
- Blend on high until smooth.
- Pour into a tall glass or cup and dust with nutmeg.
Icy Coffee Smoothie
Make a meal of your coffee by adding creamy yogurt, vanilla, and a banana. That way, you can have your caffeine and your breakfast in one convenient drink!
Ingredients
- 1 cup brewed coffee, chilled
- 1 frozen banana, peeled
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1 ounce protein powder (optional)
- 4 ice cubes
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend on high until smooth.
Kicked Up Coffee
While you can opt for just basic coffee, why go with the same old routine when, in just a few minutes with a tiny bit of work, you can have a delicious and flavorful iced coffee? It's a tasty and affordable way to start your day. And for inspired and Insta-worthy design, add a clever garnish (whipped cream and a drizzle, anyone?), snap a photo, and post your beautiful creation on social media with a cute coffee caption.
