I love an iced coffee, and for the longest time, I had no idea how to make one at home, aside from making a regular coffee and pouring it over ice, which waters it down, or refrigerating it, which takes forever and doesn’t taste great.
Fortunately, the universe has given us a number of easy ways to make iced coffee at home, and they’re genuinely good. No more bitter day-old coffee.
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Cold Brew Bags
My very first foray into iced coffee was using the cold brew method by The Pioneer Woman. It’s effective! But, it’s kind of a pain, and a bit of a mess. Brands like Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, and Dunkin’ Donuts have started creating cold brew bags, that are like giant tea bags that you steep in the refrigerator overnight.
This is my preferred at home method because it doesn’t require any special equipment and it makes for a great iced coffee experience. Also, the mess is minimal – remove the cold brew bag in the morning and toss.
Cold Brew Pitcher
Similar to cold brew bags are cold brew pitchers that have a built in filter that you fill with the coffee grounds of your choice and steep overnight. This allows for a highly customizable experience, because you can use any coffee you choose.
I have owned one of these pitchers and used it regularly, but at some point it went missing. While it’s not exactly hard work, the cleanup is one notch harder with this method than using the cold brew bags.
Iced Coffee Machines
I will be honest that this is my least preferred method, but if you really want a freshly brewed iced coffee every morning (or afternoon) this is the way to go.
Essentially this is a coffee maker that brews concentrated coffee that you pour over ice. Unlike a traditional coffee maker, this one promises not to produce a watered down product.
The reviews are mixed, but many people swear by this machine, and I admit I enjoy the idea of brewing a cup of coffee in the morning in the same manner that you would make a cup of hot coffee.
Sometimes, my morning coffee is all about the ritual.
Iced Coffee Gadgets & Accessories
Tumblers for Iced Coffee
Look, we are both suckers for a good tumbler around here. I have to remind myself OFTEN that I don’t need a new tumbler simply because it’s cute. Perhaps you, however, need a new tumbler? Here are a few of our faves.
Straws
We love the environmentally friendliness of a stainless steel straw, but hate teh feeling of them on our teeth. These straws are the best of both worlds!
The Best Milk Frothers for Iced Coffee
Megan LOVES frothed milk with her coffee. It’s such a nice luxury to enjoy at home. Since you don’t need steamed milk in an iced drink, you can use any frother! We love the simple handheld version linked below, but you can also get one that does double duty and use it for both hot and cold drinks.
More Great Coffee Tips
Love coffee? So do we, and we have a ton of great posts that you should read!
- 10 Must Try Nespresso Recipes
- The Ultimate Guide to Nespresso Machines
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew at Home
- How to Make Iced Coffee at Home
- Gift Guide for Coffee Lovers
We’re Your New Best Friends
Hi, we’re Megan and Wendy your midlife besties! Join us on Patreon every Monday where we’re talking everyday life, pop culture, and more!
You can also find us on “Girls Gone Hallmark” on Tuesdays and Thursdays where we review new and fan-favorite Hallmark movies and ask the question: Did you see that?
