Description
A simple, foolproof iced coffee recipe made with just three main ingredients: strong coffee, heavy cream, and vanilla bean paste. It tastes like a high-end café drink but is easy to make at home in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480ml) Cold Brew Concentrate or Strong Coffee, cooled
- 1/2 cup (120ml) Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half
- 1–2 teaspoons Vanilla Bean Paste or Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1–2 teaspoons Simple Syrup or Sugar (optional)
- Ice Cubes (large cubes preferred)
Instructions
- Brew strong coffee using twice the normal amount of grounds, or prepare cold brew concentrate by steeping coffee grounds for 18 hours. Ensure the coffee is completely cooled.
- Fill a glass or mason jar to the top with ice cubes. For best results, use coffee ice cubes to prevent dilution.
- Pour the heavy cream (or half-and-half) over the ice.
- Add the vanilla bean paste or extract to the glass.
- Slowly pour the cold coffee over the ice and cream mixture.
- Stir thoroughly with a spoon until the mixture is a uniform light brown color.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or strength by adding more syrup, coffee, or cream as desired.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Use cold brew for a smoother, less acidic taste. If using hot coffee, ensure it is completely cooled before pouring over ice to prevent rapid melting. Vanilla bean paste provides better flavor and visual appeal than extract, but high-quality extract works in a pinch. For a dairy-free version, substitute oat milk for heavy cream. Coffee ice cubes can be used to keep the drink cold without watering it down.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 oz drink
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 10
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Protein: 2
Keywords: iced coffee, vanilla bean, cold brew, homemade coffee, easy recipe, dairy-free options, morning routine