Until recently I wasn't a big believer in homemade iced coffee. I've tried out a few recipes (some I found, some I made up) and found a few variations I like OK. But nothing that really compared to good barista made iced coffee. Plus, making single serving iced coffee at home is sort of a pain. It is a paint to steep coffee that long for only one mediocre cup. But then I tried out this recipe. And life changed. I've tried a few variations since then and I found what works best for me. Here's my favorite homemade iced coffee variations.
Iced Coffee, makes about 5-6 servings
Needed: 2 1/2 quarts water to 5 ounces ground coffee, 2 tablespoons any combination of spices. Milks and sweeteners as you like (I share my favorites below).
In a large pitcher combine the water (cool or lukewarm), spices, and ground coffee. I currently like to use all cinnamon. But you could try a little cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. Try different combinations for the seasons! Give the mixture a stir and let it sit for about 8 hours. I usually mix this up at before bed. After it's set strain the coffee through cheesecloth or a funnel and coffee filter in to another pitcher. Now you have your iced coffee base. This size will usually last me a few days to up to a week.
Fill a glass with ice and pour in your chilled iced coffee. I love it plain with a few generous tablespoons of cream.
Another great variation is to try adding a few spoonfuls of sweetened condensed milk. Try it! Just add a spoonful or two at first and adjust the sweetness level as you taste.
You can always add more cream, milk or sugar; but taking out sweetness is much more difficult. Taste and find your perfect iced coffee combination!
xo. Emma
Gasp, love the new layout!
http://www.tinacious.me/
Posted by: Tina @ Tinacious Me | June 27, 2012 at 08:20 PM
I love the new blog design so clean and uncluttered! <3
Posted by: Faith | June 27, 2012 at 08:25 PM
Looks delicious! I use a "toddy" that most coffee shops use to make their iced coffee concentrate.
http://mistergandmecrafts.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Ashley | June 27, 2012 at 08:28 PM
Love, love, love this idea!
Posted by: Maria | June 27, 2012 at 08:32 PM
Oooh delicious lookin! Def gotta give this one a try!
Posted by: michelle | June 27, 2012 at 08:34 PM
I also like to brew my coffee in the morning and use my premade coffee cubes to blend with the coffee + half and half and flavors and sugar to make "frappuccinos". I got the idea for coffee cubes from you guys!
Posted by: steffy | June 27, 2012 at 08:37 PM
I've been making her iced coffee since last year but have never thought of adding spices! Definitely trying some cinnamon with my next batch!
Posted by: Kelly @ ScentsLoveRocknRoll | June 27, 2012 at 08:39 PM
I can't wait to try this! I usually brew hot coffee and then just stick it a pitcher in the fridge to use for the week, but this sounds way cooler, and I love the idea of adding spices!
Another good way to flavor iced coffee: original almond milk (it's sweeter than milk but has fewer calories) with flavored agave sweetener- the vanilla flavor reminds me of creme brule! I can't wait to try sweetened condensed milk, though! Sounds like a treat.
Posted by: Gwyneth Genevieve | June 27, 2012 at 08:44 PM
Sounds delicious! I am loving the new blog layout. Very accessible.
Posted by: Sarah Joy | June 27, 2012 at 08:47 PM
cool.. nica..:) http://lovesimplegreen.blogspot.com/
Posted by: irene wibowo | June 27, 2012 at 08:49 PM
Iced coffee may be the perfect afternoon beverage (though I'm probably biased since I was a teen in the Pacific NW US in the 90's when coffee was not only tasty but trendy as well). I am so going to try sweetened condensed milk.
Posted by: Carolyn | June 27, 2012 at 09:02 PM
Can't wait to try this! looks just perfect.
Posted by: Haley | June 27, 2012 at 09:03 PM
Mmm thanks for sharing! I think I want to try this!
Posted by: Kelly Jean | June 27, 2012 at 09:07 PM
I halved the pioneer woman's recipe too! I couldn't imagine having so much on hand!
Posted by: Ashley | June 27, 2012 at 09:11 PM
Love love love iced coffee! I've been looking for a good recipe to make it at home so I'm pretty happy about this post. Thanks for sharing Emma!
xx
http://www.thrifted.ca
Posted by: Allison | June 27, 2012 at 09:11 PM
Yummy yum! Iced coffee is pretty much my favorite treat in the world.
http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com
Posted by: shannon | June 27, 2012 at 09:14 PM
Yummy! I never would have thought to put sweetened condensed milk in my iced coffee. I wonder how it would be blended...?
Posted by: Grace | June 27, 2012 at 09:17 PM
YUM! This sounds totally good!
Brooke
Posted by: Brooke | June 27, 2012 at 09:20 PM
That looks super yummy and refreshing. Can't wait to try it!
Posted by: Ange | June 27, 2012 at 09:22 PM
Wow, this looks delicious!! I too have tried a lot of variations on home made iced coffee, so I'll have to try this! Have you ever tried freezing the left over coffee so when the ice cubes melt your coffee doesn't get watered down? I've tried it and it works like a charm :)
http://www.mythriftychic.com/
Posted by: tori | June 27, 2012 at 09:22 PM