How to Make Iced Coffee

Iced coffee is the refreshing pick-me-up we crave on warm mornings, sunny afternoons, or any time we want a chilled twist on our usual brew.

There are some tough challenges when making iced coffee at home, but iced coffee makers can help you make this type of drink with ease. If you’re only working with a drip machine, we’ll still help you achieve a tasty iced coffee drink. Explore types of coffee makers for more ways to make coffee.

Iced Coffee Making Basics

Iced coffee is traditionally brewed coffee that’s cooled and served over ice. But here’s the catch: simply pouring hot coffee over ice will give you a weak, watered-down drink! Instead, prepare with the right steps or use a specialty machine. There are two methods for making iced coffee:

• Brew hot and then chill – Make your coffee double strength and cool it before pouring over ice.
• Use a dedicated iced coffee setting – Coffee makers with an iced coffee setting make your iced coffee on-demand and ensure better flavor balance.

Recipes for Iced Coffee

Here at Cuisinart, we love testing our coffee makers and creating beverage recipes. From martinis and mudslides to lattes and americanos, we have many iced coffee recipes to try yourself at home.

Here are a few of our favorite iced coffee recipes, created by using the Coffee Center® 2-in-1 Coffee Maker:

• Lavender Iced Coffee - Refreshing and floral with aromatic sweetness.
• Chocolate Coconut Iced Coffee - Rich and indulgent with velvety tones.
• Coffee Shandy - Bold and fizzy with an energizing flavor.

Recipes for Iced Espresso

When you’re ready to take your iced coffee to new levels, brewing espresso rather than coffee offers bold and concentrated shots that mix wonderfully with iced drinks. Note that not all coffee makers can make espresso shots.

Cuisinart offers the Coffee Center® Barista Bar 4-in-1 Coffee Maker to make espresso shots, drip brew carafe and single-cup brewing all in one machine. Check out our collection of Espresso Machines with “Cold Extraction” for more espresso making options to choose from.

Here are a few of our favorite iced espresso recipes:

• Hazelnut Mocha Latte - Smooth, cozy and indulgent with nutty tones.
• Macchiato - A classic and bold espresso drink with just a touch of milk.
• Iced Brown Sugar & Oat Shaken Espresso - Bold and cozy with a mellow caramel-like flavor.

How to Make Iced Coffee with a Traditional Brewer

If you only have a drip coffee maker at home, you can still enjoy delicious iced coffee by adjusting your process. Brew in advance and store it in the fridge for ready-to-go iced coffee.

1. Brew It Strong

Since ice will dilute your coffee, double the amount of grounds you normally use. For example, instead of 1 scoop per cup of water, use 2 scoops. Play with your measurements as you learn this new brewing method. While experimenting, be careful to not overfill your brew basket and check with your coffee maker manual before diving into big brew batches.

2. Let the Coffee Cool

Let your brew cool to room temperature. Rushing this step by pouring hot coffee directly over ice often leads to a bitter or watery drink.

3. Add Ice and Customize

Once cooled, pour your strong coffee over a glass filled with ice. Add milk, cream, or your favorite syrup to taste.

The Downsides of this Method

Brewing iced coffee from your regular setup can be frustrating without the right adjustments. Here’s what can go wrong:

• Watery flavor from not brewing strong enough.
• Bitterness if coffee oxidizes while cooling too long.
• Inconvenience of preparing it in advance every time.

If you find yourself skipping iced coffee at home because of these issues, a more efficient method could make all the difference.

Why Use a Coffee Maker with an Over Ice Setting?

A specialized iced coffee maker simplifies the entire process by brewing hot coffee directly over ice while controlling the strength and flavor.

• Brew Over Ice Technology – Designed to account for ice dilution, giving you bold, smooth flavor.
• Faster Prep Time – No need to wait for coffee to cool down before serving.
• Customizable Features – Choose brew strength and add-ons for your ideal flavor.

Cuisinart offers coffee makers to make specialty iced coffee. The “Over Ice” function brews your coffee at a higher concentration and gives you consistently delicious drinks.

How to Make Iced Coffee with a Cuisinart Coffee Maker

When using the over ice setting, you can choose to make a single cup or a carafe by selecting the “Pod” or “Carafe” option before brewing.

1. Fill the Water Reservoir

Add fresh, filtered water to your machine.

2. Choose Your Favorite Coffee Grounds or Pod

When making iced coffee in your carafe, use your go-to blend or explore beans made specifically for cold brewing. Medium to dark roasts work best for iced drinks. We recommend grinding beans at home for the best flavor profile.

When choosing to make a single pod, this step is simple! Your beans are pre-blended and ready to go in your pod.

3. Add Ice to the Cup

Place ice directly into your carafe, glass or tumbler under the dispenser.

4. Select “Over Ice” and Brew

Press the iced coffee button and let the machine do the work.

5. Mix and Enjoy

Stir and customize with sweeteners, syrups, or creamers. Try flavoring with vanilla, hazelnut, or caramel for a café-style drink.

Hand Brewing vs. Specialized Iced Coffee Makers

Hand Brewing (Traditional Coffee Makers)

• Pros: Lower upfront cost and uses what you already have.
• Cons: Takes more time and effort and can produce inconsistent results.

Specialized Iced Coffee Makers

• Pros: Built for iced drinks, saves time, and ensures consistent flavor.
• Cons: Requires purchasing a new appliance, but it pays off in convenience.

Expert Iced Coffee Tips

• Use coffee ice cubes to prevent watering down.
• Always use fresh coffee grounds for the best taste.

Rinse and clean your coffee maker regularly to avoid stale flavors.

• Add a pinch of salt to reduce bitterness in your brew.

Make Iced Coffee Part of Your Home Routine

Once you learn how to make iced coffee at home, you may never want to wait in a coffee shop line again.

Whether you’re brewing strong coffee ahead of time or using a dedicated iced coffee maker, you can enjoy bold, refreshing iced coffee whenever you like without sacrificing flavor. Take a look at our collections of Coffee Makers and Espresso Machines to get started on your barista dreams.