This Vanilla Iced Coffee is the perfect way to start the day or to get a quick boost of caffeine during the afternoon hours. Who says that coffee has to be served hot? This iced coffee recipe proves different.
What I love about making this simple coffee drink is that it's quick and easy. It's also a super simple way to use up the leftover coffee that I have from making a pot in the morning.
I always thought that there was nothing like a fresh pot of hot coffee in the morning hours, but that wasn't until I had this vanilla flavored iced coffee that I knew that there was more than one way to get my coffee fix.
It's an eye-opener in the coffee world and one that's positive. Save yourself some money and start making your own at home. It's such a simple drink to do.
If you're a fan of coffee, be sure to check out my Caramel Coffee Creamer Recipe as well as my Hot Chocolate Coffee Recipe. You can't go wrong.
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Ingredients
- Strong coffee - You can choose any boldness, flavor, or brand of coffee for this recipe. Instant coffee works fine, too, but we prefer cold brew coffee. If you brew hot coffee in the morning simply store any leftover coffee in the fridge and keep that on hand to make this quick drink.
- Half and half - This helps to add a lighter coloring to the look of the coffee and also cuts down on some of that bitter coffee taste.
- Simple syrup - Adds sweetness.
- Vanilla extract - This is needed to add that hint of vanilla.
- Ice cubes - Adding the ice cubes is what makes this a cold coffee drink instead of a hot one. For a boost of flavor make coffee cubes by freeze coffee in an ice cube tray. That will ensure your beverage doesn't get watered down.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Vanilla Iced Coffee
The steps to make this french vanilla iced coffee recipe couldn't be easier to follow.
Pour all of the ingredients into the glass.
Add the ice cubes. Stir to combine. Add more or less of any of the ingredients as needed until you find the perfect balance.
Top tip
If you want to enjoy an iced coffee during the afternoon hours, you can also use decaf coffee as well. This way, you don't have to stress out about being up all night from drinking caffeine later in the day.
Substitutions
- Decaffeinated coffee -Instead of using caffeinated coffee, use decaf. Same flavor and taste without the caffeine.
- Coffee creamer - You can also use your favorite coffee creamer in place of the half-and-half and syrup.
Variations
- Toppings - You can make this into a fancy drink by adding toppings like whipped cream and chocolate chips.
- Kid-friendly - Make an Iced Hot Chocolate for the kids!
Be sure to check out this Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch recipe for another fun flavor! This one tastes more like a dessert.
Storage
It is easy to double, triple, or even quadruple this recipe to enjoy over a few days.
Common Questions
Yes, you can. If you can't wait long enough for the hot coffee to cool down on its own, just pop your coffee mug in the fridge and help the cooling process along.
Absolutely. Stirring the iced coffee is a must so that all the flavors mesh together perfectly. Just pouring and adding them to the mug isn't going to mix them enough.
More than likely, the coffee was originally made using hot water. But no, you don't have to reheat the water or anything like that to make iced coffee.
If you think that the iced coffee has too strong of a coffee flavor, you can always add a little bit more water to the drink or thin it out more with half and half.
This simple coffee drink is served just like regular coffee but typically in a tall glass. You can actually add the ice cubes during any process of creating the iced coffee, but just make sure that you don't add them too early and not drink it until later because they will start to melt, watering down the drink.
You don't have to add toppings to your vanilla coffee, but you can if you want. Have fun creating the perfect coffee drink any way that you like it.
You can. If you don't want to use half and half, you can use oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, plant-based milk, whole milk, or any kind of milk. Cold milk is a great option for half and half and doesn't overpower the sweet vanilla flavor.Â
You could also use heavy cream with your iced latte coffee as well. Since this recipe uses basic ingredients, there's no shortage of ways to make it.Â
This is a delicious coffee recipe that is so simple to do! What I love most about this easy recipe is that it's versatile and simple to make from the comfort of your own home. It's refreshing during the summer months and an easy way to use leftovers from a morning pot of coffee.Â
Adding it to a large glass or mason jar makes it fun to make and drink. You can even drizzle a bit of caramel sauce onto the glass of the iced coffee (on the rim), for a burst of sweetness with your coffee blend.Â
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📖 Recipe
Vanilla Iced Coffee
Ingredients
- 8 oz strong coffee chilled
- 2 oz half and half
- 1.5 oz simple syrup ***
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in tall glass.
- Add ice. Enjoy.
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