This instant iced coffee recipe is a game changer! I have made this every day for years and I never tire of it. If you love to drink iced coffee, this will change your life! Learn how to make iced coffee in less than a minute!
When I first started my blog, the very first recipe that I shared was this iced coffee recipe.
I had only tried it for the first time a few months ago, and it was safe to say that I was head over heels in love.
This recipe quite literally changed my life.
I have drank this instant coffee multiple times a day for four years now and never get sick of it.
I’ll admit, before I tried this iced coffee recipe, I actually was not a regular coffee drinker.
I didn’t like hot coffee, didn’t want to pay for coffee at Starbucks, and had never found a way to make delicious cold coffee at home.
I’m convinced that 99% of people don’t know about this iced coffee hack that has changed my life.
I honestly prefer making this coffee to buying coffee anywhere out, as I can customize it to be as strong as I want and use healthier creamer options that don’t leave me feeling bad.
My personal favorites are almond and soy milk and almond milk creamers.
You can find them just about anywhere these days: walmart, target, kroger, etc.
They are sweet enough and taste yummy, but aren’t packed full of sugar and artificial flavor.
You’ll be surprised how simple this little trick is, but once I discovered it I’ve been making iced coffee a LOT more frequently because of how easy it is!
Make instant coffee without hot water
You know how you’ve always been told that instant coffee had to be made hot?
Well it also makes iced coffee! Just mix cold water with instant coffee grounds, add some creamer, and stir.
It can take a minute or two for the coffee to dissolve, but it does!
I usually stir mine up, go do something else for a minute or so, then come back and stir a little more and it is ready!
Add ice and you have an iced coffee recipe that’s not only cheap and convenient, but much less sugar and junk too!
Are you making this recipe? I want to see! Don’t forget to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!
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More Coffee Recipes
- Whipped Cream Frozen Coffee
- Cold Brew Coffee Floats
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a star rating below!
Instant iced coffee recipe:
Instant Iced Coffee
Learn how to make iced coffee at home in less than two minutes with this simple trick
Ingredients
- 1-3 teaspoons instant coffee grounds (to your preference)
- Cold water
- Your favorite creamer (I love almond and soy creamers)
- Ice
Instructions
- Add instant coffee grounds and creamer to a glass and stir well (I use around 4-6 tablespoons of creamer, just experiment until you get your desired sweetness)
- Fill glass with cold water (1 - 2 cups, based on how strong you want it)
- Stir constantly and allow coffee to fully dissolve (can take a few minutes)
- Add ice and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 28 Total Fat: 2g Saturated Fat: 1g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 29mg Carbohydrates: 2g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 0g Protein: 0g
Sean says
Delicious! I love it it’s so simple and easy,i used the international delights Coldstone creamery creamer .Taste so good,thank you for making this recipe online
Lana says
I am sitting here enjoying my first homemade iced coffee, thank you!! It’s as good as anything from Sbucks and so easy!! I thought it would take hot water and lots of ice, but nope!! Yay!!!! This is a game changer, thanks so much!!!
Joy Shull says
You’re welcome! I am so happy you enjoyed the recipe!!
Wayne Bass says
As soon as i saw this article i got up opened the NESCAFE put maybr 10 teaspoons into a empty glass gallon milk jug and WAALAA dark roast iced coffee in an instant !!!!!!!
Thank you EVERYONE.
cath says
I like to out instant coffee and sugar in my glass, then add a small amount of boiling water and stir, them top up with mike and add ice.
Tina Taylor says
I tried this with some skinny syrup added. Works a treat. Didn’t realise it was so easy to make iced coffee. No more cravings. Whenever I want one now I can just head to the kitchen. I used cold milk though as that’s my preference. Thank you!
Kelly says
What instant coffee to you recommend for an avid coffee drinker?
Joy Shull says
I buy kroger’s simple truth organic. Cafe Altura is also really good. I use folgers in a pinch, it’s really whatever your favorite preferred flavor is!
Selina Grissom says
I loved this so much. I made a half gallon! I used 1 cup instant coffee dissolved in warm water, 2 cups caramel macchiato creamer, 1/4 cup chocolate syrup, shook well to mix, filled with cold water! YUM!
Joy Shull says
That’s awesome! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Kathy P says
Oh my gaaaaaash! Thank you for this life changer! I have tried to make good iced coffee for years and it has always been hit or miss. Cold brew, hot brew over ice, etc. Stumbled across your recipe…had doubts…tried it anyway. Absolutely delicious! No more prepping in advance. Instant perfection. So far I replace most of the water with milk and add flavored cream for a touch of sweetness. I’ll be experimenting going forward. Thank you for sharing!
Joy Shull says
I’m so glad you loved the recipe Kathy!
Rich says
I use this every morning. Add a little heavy whipping cream and a dozen Lilly’s sugar free chocolate chips with ice in the blender and you have your EZ java chip frapp.
Joy Shull says
Yum!
Helmer Arnold says
Delicious! I recently saw your recipe. Just made iced coffee with Folgers Instant and Silk Vanilla Almond creamer. Thanks a lot for sharing this article.
J. Buchanan says
Delicious! I recently saw your recipe. Just made iced coffee with Folgers Instant and Silk Vanilla Almond creamer. Thank you so much. Fast, inexpensive, and delicious!!
Joy Shull says
Awesome! So glad you loved it!
Karen Poirier says
I’ve been doing this for while too. Just found your site. I like Maxwell House Instant coffee, but I also use any brewed coffee left over. I have just started using Nespresso coffee…yummm. I also use a range of whiteners. Silk Cashew Milk is also great for those of us trying to cut down on Carbs. For extracts, I have found Coffee and Chocolate as well as Vanilla. The combinations to try are endless! Here’s to a yummy summer!
Joy Shull says
Yum! Great idea to add extracts 🙂
Laura Sisco says
I Love this coffee!!!!!!!!!! I make cold brew coffee all the time and love it as well but it takes 12 to 24 hours to make, This takes so little time to have iced coffee. I added some vanilla extract and French Vanilla creamer, AWESOME!!!!
Now I have to go out and buy more instant coffee. I am so glad I found your recipe. Thank you so much.
Joy Shull says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! It’s life changing, isn’t it? 🙂
Sasha says
I always thought you needed hot water for iced coffee! Sipping on my tasty iced coffee right now and thanks to your awesome hack my hot August is gonna be so much cooler
LG says
I have been making iced coffee similar to this for years but I use just a small amount of heated water (not too hot but enough to disolve the instant coffee quickly) I will also make it in batches on occasion and use some of the coffee to make ice cubes. I can then refrigerate the rest. I have also used the same method using all milk instead of water for an extra creamy winter treat.
Nicky says
Looks good! I think I’m breaking the rule here… I add a few ml of warm water just to soak the coffee grounds hehehe anyway nice recipe!
jordi says
I’ve been searching for an iced coffee recipe for ages. I’m so tired of going to Starbucks and Second Cup and paying a fortune or settling for the dreadful inconsistency of the cheaper McDonald’s and Tim Horton’s variety.
Minda says
I dissolved a tablespoon of Taster Choice organic crystals in 1/4 c of coconut water, added the Vita Coco coconut milk and used an immersion blender to whip it up into a frappe. No sweeteners needed because coconut milk has its own sweetness. Added ice cubes to serve. It was good but may lessen the amount of coffee to 2 teaspoons next time. Thanks for the recipe!
SJW says
Has anyone made a low cal coconut sweet iced coffee? When I use almond milk, its never light enough.
Ron says
Use a shaker bottle for iced coffee on the go!
Joy Shull says
Great idea Ron!
Caroline Davis says
Oh wow I am so excited to tr this. I am a huge coffee lover and I have been on a health change for a little less than two months. This is great! I am so excited. Yesss!!!
Thanks so much Joy! Kroger’s Friday free item last Friday was the Silk Almond creamer, isn’t that funny?!
Again super excited!
Joy Shull says
Let me know how you like it Caroline! And that’s so exciting about the creamer, hope you enjoy it!
Jenil says
Which coffee ground do you recommend? Thanks
Joy Shull says
I buy organic instant coffee at my local Kroger. Any instant coffee will do!
Daryn says
How much does a small package of instant coffee grounds like the ones that you were able to find cost on average?
Joy says
Hi Daryn,
I believe the instant coffee pictured costs around $7. It lasts me a long time!
Sarah says
Can you make this in a pitcher and have it in the fridge for a few days?
Thanks for sharing!
Joy says
Hi Sarah,
I don’t see why that wouldn’t work! Just give it a stir when you get it out of the fridge to make sure it’s all mixed together well!
Donna P. Howard says
You can buy Almond Milk @ Walmart
Mimi says
Great idea and for sure tasty (will try to do that too, thanks!) but..what about it is healthy??
Joy says
It’s healthy because the only sweetener is a bit of non dairy creamer – it’s way less calories than a normal iced coffee, less sugar, and dairy free! 🙂
Jane says
I do this also,except I put a tiny bit of very hot tap water in the bottom of my glass first and stir my instant coffee into it. It dissolves quicker and smoother, then add the other ingredients.
Julie R says
I have been drinking iced coffee for a couple years, and making my own here at home. I have been making a pot of coffee then pouring it into a pitcherand keeping it in the refrigerator. When I’m ready for a big glassful,I add ice,pour in coffee, add a little stevia, then I have always Silk Dark Chocolate Almond Milk. I have even changed coffee flavors and used Vanilla Almond Milk. ALL yummy! !!
Joy says
Hi Julie,
I do that sometimes too, it’s always fun to change things up!
Kim says
I’ve always made frappé this way since seeing it being made in Greece; whisk up the instant coffee with a tiny bit of cold wáter to get froth, then add milk (I like almond), cold wáter & ice; takes no time & is so refreshing!!!
Michele C. says
N ow I need to look for Silk Almond Creamer! I haven’t seen it – or even thought about – looking for it…I will now!
Joy says
You can probably request for your grocery store to carry it if they don’t already, it is delicious!!
Jenn says
I add Instant Coffee to my premade Protein shakes. I use the shake instead of water and milk it’s the best breakfast for me!
Joy says
Great idea jenn! I’ve added coffee grounds to my shakes before too..so good!
Brie says
I always thought you needed hot water for iced coffee! Sipping on my tasty iced coffee right now and thanks to your awesome hack my hot August is gonna be so much cooler 🙂
Joy says
Yay! Glad you liked it! 🙂
Holly says
Sounds awesome! I’m putting instant coffee on my grocery list and giving this a try!!!
Joy says
Yay!
Jules says
I’ve used this method for a few years, after I did a “mishap” — it’s so great! Except that I use lactose reduced milk instead. Also, sometimes I splash some extra water in it, so that it get’s even healthier. Will try it with almond milk soon! (Did try it with wheat-milk, was not a success, to say the least).
Joy says
I love using a splash of almond milk too sometimes to make it more creamy – so good!