How To Make An Iced Coffee

Your favourite coffee, but much cooler. And much more ideal if it’s summer and the idea of a steaming hot cup of coffee doesn’t sound particularly appealing. Our iced coffee recipe is seriously easy and seriously refreshing. Thank us later.

Where Did Ice Coffee Come From?

The history of iced coffee takes us back to 1840 Algeria, where French soldiers are said to have cooled down with cold coffee during the Battle of Mazagran.

Where they would usually cut their coffee with brandy or milk, they cut it with cold water. When the troops returned to France, they took this cold coffee with them. 

Iced Coffee Ingredients

What you’ll need: 

• 2 Grind coffee pods

• 4 ice cubes (would be even cooler if you used the Grind Ice Cube Tray)

• 50ml milk or plant-based milk alternative (optional)

• Highball glass

Iced Coffee Recipe

Follow these four easy steps:

Step 1 

Add four ice cubes to your glass. If you don’t want to dilute your coffee too much and want an extra caffeine boost, pre-fill your ice tray with brewed coffee. 

Step 2

Add around 50ml of milk to the ice (if using). 

Step 3

In a separate glass or mug, make a double shot of coffee using your Grind coffee pods in your favourite blend (our caramel coffee pods taste amazing in iced coffees). If you like your coffee a little sweet, melt a teaspoon of sugar into the hot coffee.

Step 4 

Gently pour the espresso into the glass, on top of your milk and ice, to create a layered effect. Give it a good stir. 

How Many Calories Are in an Iced Coffee?

This mainly depends on which milk you’re using and how much of it you put in your coffee.

A black iced coffee contains only about 10 calories, whilst an iced coffee with semi-skimmed milk will contain around 60, or 80 if you’re using oat milk. 

Is Iced Coffee Good for You?

In the same way as regular coffee, the caffeine in an iced coffee is a natural stimulant that will boost your energy and help you stay alert. In moderation (and we mean moderation), caffeine may improve your mood and your focus. It also contains antioxidants that help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. 

Too much caffeine, though, can disrupt your sleep and, especially if you’re particularly sensitive to caffeine, can increase anxiety. Iced coffee is a diuretic, meaning it can cause dehydration if you don’t drink enough water.

If you’re like us and you would ideally drink iced coffee all day, try our iced coffee recipe using our decaf coffee pods and make sure you’re staying hydrated. 

Can You Make Iced Coffee with a Coffee Machine?

The best way to brew our compostable coffee pods is in our very own Grind Two Coffee Pod Machine, which has been carefully created to squeeze every drop from your pods for a fuller-bodied coffee, every time.

Built from polished stainless steel, this is a durable machine that looks great and makes great coffee, day after day.

What’s The Difference Between Cold Brew Coffee and Iced Coffee?

Although both are served cold, there are a few small differences between iced coffee and cold brew coffee: 

• Cold brew coffee is coffee that has been brewed in cool water, with no heat used at all. This creates a smoother, less bitter taste as it retains more of the coffee’s natural aromas and flavours. It’s more time consuming, but it’s worth it. You can shop our Cold Brew Bottle to try it for yourself.

• Iced coffee usually refers to coffee that has been brewed hot and cooled down using cold milk and ice. It has a slightly thinner taste profile than cold-brewed coffee, but it’s obviously still delicious. 

Ready to Replicate Your Favourite Café’s Iced Coffee?

Yes, you are. We make speciality-grade coffee for that exact reason, because sometimes we all want to enjoy barista-quality coffee in the comfort of our pyjamas and our own kitchen.

You can shop our home-compostable, Nespresso® compatible coffee pods for an espresso that's richer and fuller-bodied.

Short on time? We get it—you’re busy. That’s why we have our range of ready-to-drink iced coffee cans, featuring our signature House Blend, slow-steeped in cool water and crafted into five different flavour varieties, inspired by your café favourites. Shop the iced coffee range for a refreshing drink on the go.

Subscribe to our coffee subscription and get our home-compostable coffee pods for Nespresso® machines, perfect for making your iced coffees at home. Get your first 30 home-compostable coffee pods for just £9.95, delivered free, in letterbox-friendly packaging, plus a free refillable Grind tin.