15 Iced Coffee Drinks You Can Make at Home That Taste Better Than the Coffee Shop

Coffee shop drinks add up fast. A few iced lattes a week can cost more than a nice dinner out by the end of the month. The good news is that iced coffee is one of the easiest things to make at home, and you do not need a fancy machine. A jar, some ice and a few simple tricks are enough. Below you will find cold brew, creamy lattes, Vietnamese coffee, whipped dalgona and a few treats that are almost dessert. Prefer something warm on chilly nights? Try our cozy hot drinks for cold nights. Grab your favorite glass and let us skip the line..

Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee, the Taste of Fall in a Glass

You do not have to wait in a long line for your favorite fall drink. A quick homemade pumpkin spice syrup made with real pumpkin puree is shaken with strong chilled coffee, then poured over ice and topped with creamy milk. You see those pretty swirls as the milk sinks in. It tastes warm and cozy even though it is ice cold. Would you add whipped cream on top or keep it simple?

You will need: 1 cup strong brewed coffee chilled, 1/2 cup milk or oat milk, ice, 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree, 2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar, 2 tablespoons water, 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, a drop of vanilla.

How to make it: 1. Simmer the pumpkin, maple syrup, water and spice for 2 minutes, then stir in vanilla and cool. 2. Fill a tall glass with ice. 3. Shake the coffee with 2 tablespoons of the syrup and pour over the ice. 4. Slowly pour the milk on top and enjoy the swirl.

Classic Iced Coffee With Cream

Start with the basics. The biggest mistake people make is pouring hot coffee over ice, which melts it and makes the drink weak and watery. Instead, brew your coffee double strength, or chill it first in the fridge. Then pour it over a full glass of ice and add cream and sweetener to taste. Simple, cheap and so refreshing.

You will need: 1 cup double strength coffee chilled, ice, 2 to 3 tablespoons cream or half and half, 1 to 2 teaspoons simple syrup or sugar to taste.

How to make it: 1. Brew coffee with twice the usual grounds and let it cool. 2. Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. 3. Fill a glass to the top with ice and pour in the coffee. 4. Stir in cream and syrup.

Homemade Cold Brew Concentrate

Cold brew is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water for many hours. The result is smooth, rich and naturally less bitter than hot coffee. Make a big jar on Sunday and you have iced coffee ready all week. Just mix the concentrate with water or milk and pour over ice. It is the easiest way to save money on coffee.

You will need: 1 cup coarsely ground coffee, 4 cups cold water, ice, milk or water to serve.

How to make it: 1. Stir the coffee and water together in a large jar. 2. Cover and leave on the counter or in the fridge for 12 to 18 hours. 3. Strain through a fine sieve lined with a coffee filter. 4. Mix 1 part concentrate with 1 part water or milk over ice.

Vietnamese Iced Coffee With Condensed Milk

In Vietnam, coffee drips slowly through a small metal filter called a phin, right into a glass with sweetened condensed milk. Stir it together, pour over ice and you get a strong, sweet, creamy drink that is unlike anything else. If you do not have a phin, strong dark roast coffee or espresso works too. Have you ever tried Vietnamese iced coffee?

You will need: 2 tablespoons dark roast coffee ground medium fine, 1/2 cup hot water, 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk, ice.

How to make it: 1. Put the condensed milk in the bottom of a glass. 2. Brew the coffee through a phin filter, or make a small cup of very strong coffee. 3. Stir the coffee into the condensed milk. 4. Pour over a glass full of ice and stir again.

Whipped Dalgona Iced Coffee

Dalgona coffee became a worldwide hit a few years ago, and it is still fun to make. You whip instant coffee, sugar and hot water until it turns into a thick, fluffy foam, then spoon it over a glass of cold milk and ice. It looks like a cloud and tastes like a sweet, creamy coffee treat. Quick poll: A) whisk by hand, B) electric mixer, or C) I will just watch someone else do it?

You will need: 2 tablespoons instant coffee, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons hot water, 1 cup cold milk, ice.

How to make it: 1. Add the instant coffee, sugar and hot water to a bowl. 2. Whisk hard or use a mixer for 2 to 4 minutes until thick and light brown. 3. Fill a glass with ice and milk. 4. Spoon the whipped coffee on top and stir before drinking.

Affogato, the Two Ingredient Coffee Dessert

Affogato means drowned in Italian, and that is exactly what happens here. A scoop of vanilla ice cream gets drowned in a shot of hot espresso. As the ice cream melts, it turns into the creamiest iced coffee you have ever tasted. It is the perfect after dinner treat when you cannot decide between coffee and dessert.

You will need: 1 or 2 scoops vanilla ice cream or gelato, 1 shot hot espresso or 1/4 cup very strong coffee, chocolate shavings or crushed cookies to top (optional).

How to make it: 1. Put a scoop of ice cream in a small glass or cup. 2. Brew the espresso. 3. Pour the hot espresso over the ice cream right away. 4. Top with chocolate and eat with a spoon.

Greek Frappe Iced Coffee

On Greek beaches and in island cafes, the frappe is the drink of summer. Instant coffee is shaken with a little water and sugar until it becomes a thick foam, then topped with cold water, ice and milk. It is foamy, light and very refreshing. Locals sip it slowly for hours while chatting with friends.

You will need: 2 teaspoons instant coffee, 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar, 2 tablespoons cold water, ice, 1/2 cup cold water, milk to taste.

How to make it: 1. Add instant coffee, sugar and 2 tablespoons water to a jar with a lid. 2. Shake hard for 30 seconds until very foamy. 3. Pour into a tall glass with ice. 4. Top with cold water and milk and serve with a straw.

Iced Coconut Coffee

If you love tropical flavors, this one is for you. Creamy coconut milk and a little coconut sugar turn regular iced coffee into something that tastes like a beach vacation. It is naturally dairy free too. For a fancier version, blend the coconut milk with ice first to make a frosty coconut slush, then pour the coffee over the top.

You will need: 1 cup cold brew or chilled strong coffee, 1/3 cup coconut milk, 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or maple syrup, ice, toasted coconut flakes to top.

How to make it: 1. Stir the coconut sugar into the coconut milk until dissolved. 2. Fill a glass with ice. 3. Pour in the coffee, then the sweet coconut milk. 4. Stir and top with toasted coconut.

Espresso Tonic, the Sparkling Iced Coffee

This drink sounds strange, but coffee lovers around the world swear by it. Bubbly tonic water is poured over ice, then a shot of espresso is floated on top. It is fizzy, bitter, a little sweet and very refreshing, almost like a coffee soda. Add a slice of orange to make it even brighter. Would you dare to try it?

You will need: 1/2 cup chilled tonic water, ice, 1 shot espresso or 1/4 cup very strong coffee, an orange slice (optional).

How to make it: 1. Fill a glass with ice. 2. Pour in the tonic water. 3. Slowly pour the espresso over the back of a spoon so it floats on top. 4. Add an orange slice and sip.

Mocha Coffee Milkshake

When an iced coffee is not enough, make it a milkshake. Coffee, chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream are blended together until thick and creamy, then topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate. It is pure fun and a great treat for a hot afternoon or a movie night at home.

You will need: 1/2 cup chilled strong coffee, 2 cups vanilla or coffee ice cream, 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup, whipped cream and extra chocolate to top.

How to make it: 1. Add the coffee, ice cream and chocolate syrup to a blender. 2. Blend until smooth but still thick. 3. Drizzle chocolate inside a tall glass. 4. Pour in the shake and top with whipped cream.

Coffee Ice Cubes for Iced Coffee That Never Gets Watery

Here is a simple trick that changes everything. Pour leftover coffee into an ice cube tray and freeze it. Next time you make iced coffee, use these coffee cubes instead of plain ice. As they melt, they add more coffee flavor instead of water. Your last sip will taste as strong as your first. Why did nobody tell us sooner?

You will need: Leftover brewed coffee, an ice cube tray, milk or more coffee to serve, sweetener to taste.

How to make it: 1. Let leftover coffee cool completely. 2. Pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze for at least 4 hours. 3. Fill a glass with the coffee cubes. 4. Pour over chilled coffee or milk and stir.

Iced Caramel Macchiato at Home

This coffee shop favorite is easy to copy. Vanilla syrup goes in the glass first, then cold milk and ice, then a shot of espresso poured on top so it makes pretty layers. Finish with a crisscross drizzle of caramel sauce. Do not stir it until you have admired it for a moment. It is sweet, creamy and looks amazing.

You will need: 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup, 3/4 cup cold milk, ice, 2 shots espresso or 1/2 cup very strong coffee, 1 tablespoon caramel sauce.

How to make it: 1. Add the vanilla syrup to a glass. 2. Pour in the milk and fill with ice. 3. Slowly pour the espresso over the top. 4. Drizzle caramel sauce in a crisscross pattern and serve.

Iced Vanilla Latte

A latte is just espresso and milk, and the iced version is wonderfully simple. A splash of homemade vanilla syrup makes it taste like something from your favorite cafe. Make the syrup once and keep it in the fridge for two weeks. Tip: use whole milk or oat milk for the creamiest texture.

You will need: 2 shots espresso or 1/2 cup strong coffee chilled, 3/4 cup cold milk, ice, 1 to 2 tablespoons vanilla syrup (equal parts sugar and water simmered with 1 teaspoon vanilla).

How to make it: 1. Make the vanilla syrup and let it cool. 2. Fill a glass with ice. 3. Add the syrup and milk. 4. Pour the espresso on top, stir and enjoy.

Brown Sugar Oat Milk Iced Coffee

Oat milk and brown sugar are a dream pair. The oat milk is naturally creamy and a bit sweet, and the brown sugar adds a caramel flavor that is perfect for fall. This dairy free drink is one of the most popular orders at coffee shops, and the homemade version costs a fraction of the price. Have you jumped on the oat milk trend yet?

You will need: 1/2 cup chilled espresso or strong coffee, 3/4 cup oat milk, 1 to 2 tablespoons brown sugar syrup, a pinch of cinnamon, ice.

How to make it: 1. Make a syrup by simmering equal parts brown sugar and water for 1 minute. 2. Shake the coffee, syrup and cinnamon with ice in a jar. 3. Pour into a glass. 4. Top with oat milk and stir.

Cold Brew With Sweet Cream Cold Foam

Cold foam is a fluffy milk topping that floats on top of cold brew like a little cloud. You can make it at home with a small handheld frother or by shaking it in a jar. Each sip gives you smooth coffee and sweet cream at the same time. It feels like a fancy treat for just a few cents.

You will need: 1 cup cold brew, ice, 3 tablespoons heavy cream, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup.

How to make it: 1. Fill a glass with ice and pour in the cold brew. 2. Add the cream, milk and vanilla syrup to a tall cup. 3. Froth for 20 to 30 seconds until thick and foamy. 4. Spoon the foam over the coffee and serve.