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Want a caffeine boost without the sticker shock? Making iced coffee at home saves a lot of money, and it couldn’t be simpler. All you need is an ice cube tray, coffee maker, and some quality beans to create a delicious glass of chilled coffee. You can even add extra ingredients like cream, cinnamon, chocolate or condensed milk to take your drink to the next level. Let’s get started. 

Short and Sweet

If you’re wondering how to make iced coffee at home, you might be trying to tighten your purse strings, shorten your morning commute or accommodate dietary restrictions. Or, maybe you want to make your own healthy breakfast, including coffee without all the added sugar. The good news is that almost anyone can make their own iced coffee. Here’s how:

1. Brew a Pot of Coffee

Make a pot of coffee just like you normally would, but make a little extra. You’ll see why in the next step. 

2. Make Frozen Coffee Cubes

Get an empty ice cube tray, then fill it with brewed coffee and stick it in the freezer. It’s best to do this step the night before so your frozen coffee cubes are ready in the morning. Once you start making iced coffee at home on a regular basis, you can keep the freezer stocked with frozen coffee cubes in preparation for making your morning drink. 

3. Chill the Coffee

The main way to make iced coffee at home is to put your pot of brewed coffee in the fridge or freezer. The goal is to rapidly cool it down, but not freeze it. 

4. Grab a Glass

When the coffee cubes are frozen, add them to your glass just like you would with ice cubes. They won’t dilute your drink when they melt. Take your chilled coffee from the freezer — it doesn’t have to be perfectly cold — and pour it over the frozen coffee cubes. 

You can even pour hot coffee over the frozen cubes if you’re in a rush. The drink won’t be as cold, but it will still be considerably cooler.

5. Add Ingredients

There are so many ways to personalize your drink. Here are a few examples inspired by coffee shop recipes:

To make a thick, sweet Vietnamese coffee, add a quarter cup of sweetened condensed milk and a quarter cup of half and half to one cup of brewed coffee. Then, whisk the drink to mix it. This will prevent the condensed milk from settling on the bottom.

For a Mexican mocha, add hot chocolate mix and a generous amount of cinnamon, then splash some whole milk or milk substitute in the glass for a creamier mouthfeel. 

To make a coffee milkshake — which you might know as a Frappuccino if you’re a frequent visitor of Starbucks — fill a glass with coffee cubes, then dump them in the blender. Leave the brewed coffee out of this recipe. Add milk and chocolate syrup, then blend until the drink has a thick, smooth consistency. Garnish it with whipped cream and a dash of cocoa powder. 

Of course, you can also just add half and half with a pinch of stevia or sugar for a rich, mildly sweet coffee. Or, blend caramel syrup, milk and a dash of salt for a salted caramel iced coffee. 

Making Your Own Iced Coffee

At home, you have more creative control when it comes to making your morning brew. Use your imagination to come up with your own drinks, or follow different recipes to see what you like best. It’s a great way to kickstart your day.