Easy Instant Iced Coffee
Updated Jan 16, 2026
This Instant Iced Coffee recipe is a game changer! Learn how to make perfect inexpensive iced coffee every time at home.
Why this is the best iced coffee recipe
- No hot water required: that’s right, you don’t need hot water to make instant coffee dissolve. This easy iced coffee recipe uses cold water only.
- Affordable: much cheaper than a trip to Starbucks or a bottle of cold brew, this recipe uses instant coffee granules.
- Easy to customize: the flavor possibilities are endless!
⭐️Review⭐️
“I never comment on recipes but wanted to stop and say that I have been trying to make a decent iced coffee with instant grounds for a long time. I tried this one on a whim this morning and wow it’s actually really good!”
Iced coffee ingredients
- Instant coffee
- Cold water
- Creamer
- Ice
How to make iced coffee from instant coffee
- Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of instant coffee and 2/3 cup cold water to a glass. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes, until the instant coffee granules dissolve completely.
- Add ice.
- Stir in creamer to taste.
Joy’s Note
I do not include an amount for creamer to use as I have found this is personal preference, but this coffee to water ratio gives you the perfect coffee every time! You can make the coffee stronger or weaker by adjusting the coffee to water ratio.
⭐️Review⭐️
“Outstanding, so inexpensive, so fast and sooooo gooood !!!!!!!”
Ways to customize iced coffee
- Add more instant coffee: like your coffee stronger? Use more instant coffee to taste.
- Use more or less water: Play around with the amount of water you use to find your perfect iced coffee.
- Use coffee syrups with your creamer: vanilla syrup, salted caramel syrup, or hazelnut syrup would all be delicious.
- Make a homemade cold foam: use a handheld electric frother to whip together heavy cream with coffee syrup or creamer until thick.
⭐️Review⭐️
“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. “
More at home coffee recipes
Instant Iced Coffee
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons instant coffee grounds
- 2/3 cup cold water
- coffee creamer, to taste
- Ice
Instructions
- Add the instant coffee grounds and cold water to a glass and stir well.
- Stir constantly and allow the coffee to completely dissolved (this may take 1-2 minutes).
- Add ice and creamer to taste and enjoy!
You can buy Almond Milk @ Walmart
Great idea and for sure tasty (will try to do that too, thanks!) but..what about it is healthy??
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! 🙂
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.
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! !!
Hi Julie,
I do that sometimes too, it’s always fun to change things up!
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!!!
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!
You can probably request for your grocery store to carry it if they don’t already, it is delicious!!
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!
Great idea jenn! I’ve added coffee grounds to my shakes before too..so good!
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 🙂
Yay! Glad you liked it! 🙂
Sounds awesome! I’m putting instant coffee on my grocery list and giving this a try!!!
Yay!
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).
I love using a splash of almond milk too sometimes to make it more creamy – so good!