Iced Coffees Recipe

Make Cold Brew Concentrate

In a large jar or pitcher, combine 1 cup coarsely ground coffee with 4 cups cold water. Stir to fully saturate the grounds. Cover and steep in the refrigerator or at cool room temperature for 12–18 hours.

After steeping, strain the coffee through a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter into a clean container. Press or squeeze the grounds gently to extract liquid, then discard grounds. You will have a concentrated cold brew; dilute later to taste (typically 1:1 concentrate to water/milk).

If you prefer a quicker iced coffee (not cold brew), brew 1 cup strong hot coffee (use double the usual grounds), cool slightly, then chill in the refrigerator or pour over ice to cool immediately. Proceed to assembly.

Prepare simple syrup if using: combine equal parts sugar and hot water (for example 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water), stir until sugar dissolves, cool. Use 1–3 tablespoons per drink to taste. For flavored syrup, substitute flavored sugar or add vanilla/cocoa as below.

For vanilla iced coffee: stir 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the desired amount of cold brew concentrate (per roughly 1 cup finished drink).

For mocha iced coffee: dissolve 2 teaspoons cocoa powder in a tablespoon of warm water or simple syrup to make a paste, then stir into the cold brew concentrate until smooth.

Decide your ratio. Common proportions: 1 part cold brew concentrate to 1 part milk/ water for a balanced strength. For a stronger coffee-forward drink use 2:1 concentrate to milk; for a lighter drink use 1:2.

Measure about 1 cup total milk or combination (for two servings use 2 cups total as listed). If you want a richer drink, substitute part of the milk with half-and-half or heavy cream (up to the 1 cup listed). Chill the milk before assembly for best results.

Fill two tall glasses with about 1.5 cups ice total each (adjust so the ice amounts match the cups listed). For a single serving: add 1 to 1.5 cups ice per glass.

Measure and pour: for each glass, combine 1/2 cup cold brew concentrate with 1/2 cup milk for a 1:1 drink (adjust per preferred strength). If you prepared sweetener/flavorings, add 1–1.5 tablespoons of simple syrup or the prepared flavored mixture to each glass and stir to combine.

If making iced mocha, add the cocoa mixture along with the concentrate before milk so it blends evenly.

Top with a splash (1–2 tablespoons) of half-and-half or heavy cream for extra creaminess, if desired.

Garnish with whipped cream (about 2 tablespoons per glass) and a dusting of chocolate shavings or cinnamon (about 1/4 teaspoon each) if desired.

Serve immediately with a straw or long spoon. Stir before drinking to mix any settled cream or syrup.