Keurig pretty much reinvented the wheel for the coffee drinker, with its single serve coffee maker system for freshly-brewed coffee. And, from the wide variety of options to the rich flavors, what’s not to love?
A steaming cup of coffee brewed at home just the way you like it allows you to be your own barista. What could be better. But hot summer days call for something a little bit…different.
You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy iced coffee drinks. Not while you have K Cups and a Keurig. You can easily make delicious iced coffee at home and skip your favorite coffee shop.
All the incredible K Cups you love hot are just as good served as cold coffee. And, whether you want to go all out, have a cheat day or keep it healthy, we’ve got the recipe for you.
Before we dive in, let’s answer one pressing question. Just where and how did the concept of iced coffee come about?
There are different accounts on the origin and history of iced coffee.
However, many agree that this spin on coffee most likely originated from Algeria around 1840. As a way to cope with the heat, colonial French troops would mix cold water with coffee syrup. The rest is history as they say.
Making Your Own Iced Coffee Using a Keurig Is a Breeze
It’s quite easy to make an iced coffee drink without fancy equipment but just using a Keurig. Take the K-Elite coffee maker, for instance. It comes with a dedicated ice button. This makes for a quick and easy ice coffee brew just as you’d normally have with a hot brew.
All you have to do is:
- Fill a plastic cup (standard cup size) with plenty of ice
- Pop in one of your favorite K Cups
- Press the dedicated ice button to brew
- And enjoy!
For iced coffee with some extra flair, Keurig has you covered with the K-Cafe.
This coffee maker comes with a froth function. Additionally, it comes with inbuilt cappuccino and latte functions at the touch of a button. Or rather, two dedicated buttons to be precise.
The procedure is slightly different from the Keurig Elite as you’ll see below. Nevertheless, it’s an easy way to brew a perfect cup from the comfort of your home.
If you have another Keurig model, don’t fret. You’ll be glad to know you can make iced coffee from Keurig models of any kind. Simply brew hot coffee as usual using your Keurig coffee maker. Allow it to cool before adding ice.
No Frother? No Problem: DIY Milk Froth
To make a perfect iced coffee latte or cappuccino, you don’t need a built in or handheld milk frother.
There are two different ways to froth your milk with everyday kitchen items.
Method 1
For this all you need is a bowl or equally wide container and a whisk. Simply whisk the milk for 2 or more minutes until frothy.
Method 2
The second method necessitates a jar (preferably glass) and a good grip. Pour the milk into the jar, taking care to seal it tight. Shake thoroughly until the milk achieves a frothy consistency.
Now that you’ve taken care of the preliminaries, it’s time to create some magic. The following recipes are set to elevate your iced coffee from a drink into an experience.
Note: It’s best to use a dark roast. Light and medium roasts can easily give your iced coffee a washed-out taste. You can also go for an extra bold variety.
Dark & Decadent Iced Coffee
If there’s anything you add to coffee that will make it rich, it’s chocolate.
For this easy iced coffee recipe, use dark chocolate ice cubes rather than regular ones to make the perfect drink.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Method
- Pour the ingredients into a pan and whisk until combined.
- Allow the mixture to simmer then remove from heat.
- Let it cool completely before pouring it into ice cube trays.
- Once frozen, remove the cubes and put them in the glass you’ll use for your coffee.
- Brew your Keurig coffee into a mug. Allow it to cool before pouring it into the glass. This will minimize the risk of the glass cracking.
- Add sugar or a sweetener, the frothy milk of your choice, or creamer as desired and enjoy!
Cheat Day Cappuccino
We’re allowed to have moments of indulgence every now and then. This is one of them. In place of frothed milk or creamer, this recipe calls for a hearty portion of whipped cream.
Ingredients
- Dark roast coffee K Cup
- Ice cubes
- Whipped cream
Method
- Start by brewing the dark roast Keurig coffee.
- Instead of filling your mug, glass, or cup, set aside some of the coffee. This should leave at least half or quarter of the cup with space for the final step.
- Allow your coffee to cool then add in some ice cubes.
- Fill the remaining space in your mug with a generous portion of whipped cream.
The Triple Threat
This is the best iced coffee recipe for a refreshing drink. It entails making a syrup that can be modified with basic ingredients in three ways to create three different kinds of iced coffee. By varying the flavors in the syrup, you end up with:
- An iced vanilla latte
- An iced mocha
- A caramel macchiato
Triple threat syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- Vanilla extract
- Vanilla ice cream
- Chocolate syrup
Method
- Bring the water to boil
- Stir in the sugar till it dissolves completely
- Separate the mix into three portions
- Into one add the vanilla extract
- Into the second add caramel sugar syrup
- In the third, add chocolate syrup and cocoa powder if desired
- You can store the mixes you won’t use immediately by chilling them.
- For the mix you wish to use, boil and stir so the ingredients blend well.
Iced Mocha
- For this iced beverage, brew a Keurig K Cup into a mug and allow to cool.
- Add in ice cubes.
- Mix in some milk.
- Pour in the chocolate syrup.
Iced Vanilla Latte
- For this iced beverage, brew a Keurig K Cup into a mug and allow to cool.
- Add in ice cubes.
- Mix in some milk.
- Pour in the chocolate syrup.
Iced Vanilla Latte
- Brew your Keurig K Cup coffee and allow it to cool.
- Once cool, add in ice cubes.
- Add the vanilla syrup
- Add in milk as desired
- Top up with vanilla ice cream
Iced Caramel Macchiato
- Brew a K Cup and set it aside to cool.
- Add in the ice cubes
- Pour in the caramel syrup
- Add milk as desired
Cinnamon Iced Coffee
Ingredients
- Keurig K Cup coffee
- Milk (of your choice)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Brown sugar or honey(optional)
Method
- Brew your K Cup coffee as you like it.
- Add the cinnamon, and sweeten it with honey or brown sugar as desired.
- Set the coffee aside and allow it to cool.
- Pour it into a clean ice cube tray to make coffee ice cubes.
- Place the coffee cubes in a cup and pour cold milk over them.
Caramel Frappe
Ingredients
- Dark roast K Cup coffee
- 1/4 cup caramel creamer
- 1/4 cup Milk
- Ice cubes
- Whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
Method
- Start by brewing a mug of your K Cup coffee and set it aside to cool.
- Once cool, blend the coffee together with milk, ice, and creamer.
- Top with whipped cream and caramel to your taste.
How to Make Your Iced Coffee Healthier
You don’t need to have some guilt to go with your iced coffee. There are a few tweaks you can make to enjoy iced coffee that’s as healthy as it is tasty:
- Instead of dairy milk, use almond milk.
- Ditch regular creamers. Use dairy-free varieties or cocoa butter.
- Use honey, maple syrup, or unsweetened caramel syrup in place of sugar.
Clearly Coffee, the Only Blog as Good as Your Cuppa
We hope you love these recipes. And if you do, why not share them?
Keep reading Clearly Coffee for more awesome content on all things coffee.
Photo by: Pixabay from roDesignment
