1-Minute Instant Iced Coffee
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Instant iced coffee is one of those drinks I have been making for years. Blend instant coffee with milk, water, brown sugar and ice until smooth and lightly foamy. There is no hot coffee to brew or cool first, and it is ready in about a minute.
I first shared this recipe in 2016, during a very hot summer in Spain. I have never been a big coffee drinker, but after moving there we started having it more often. Hot coffee was never really my thing. Iced coffee, on the other hand, is a different story.
Iced coffee ingredients
There are no fancy ingredients in this one. It is simply instant coffee, brown sugar, milk, water and ice, but together they make a cold drink that tastes just right.
I normally use 2 teaspoons of instant coffee, but when I want it stronger, I use 3. The same goes for the brown sugar. Use 2 or 3 teaspoons, depending on how sweet you like your coffee.
What coffee to use?
Use instant coffee granules or powder. You may also see it labeled soluble coffee. It dissolves in the liquid, which is why it works for this quick method.
As for the brand, I like using Nescafé instant coffee. If you have a favorite brand, feel free to use that one.
Ground coffee will not dissolve, so it cannot be used as a substitute in this recipe.
Tips for making instant iced coffee
I usually make this with whole milk, but 2% or skim milk will also work. I have made it with almond milk and we liked it, although the drink was not as rich, smooth or foamy as the version made with cow’s milk. Other plant milks may give a different result, so let me and other readers know how yours turned out.
Instead of brown sugar, you can use white sugar or another sweetener of your choice.
You can use a countertop blender or an immersion blender with a tall beaker. Blend until the coffee has dissolved and the drink looks smooth, with a light layer of foam on top. For more foam, blend it a little longer.
Serve the coffee right away. The foam will gradually settle and the blended ice will start to melt if it sits for too long.
If you are making drinks for someone who does not drink coffee, my matcha iced tea is another cold option.
Can I make it without a blender?
Yes. Add the milk, water, ice, instant coffee and brown sugar to a large jar with a tight-fitting lid. Leave some empty space in the jar, close it securely and shake well until the coffee and sugar have dissolved and foam forms on top.
I found that shaking it with the ice helps create more foam. The jar method is handy when you do not have a blender, although the finished drink will not be as smooth as the blended version because the ice remains whole.
Pour it into glasses and serve immediately.
Is instant iced coffee the same as cold brew?
No. This recipe uses instant coffee and is ready right away. Cold brew is made by steeping ground coffee in cold water for several hours.
For that method, try my orange cold brew coffee instead.
More iced coffee recipes for you to try
For a flavored version made with instant coffee, try my cinnamon iced instant coffee. Greek frappe is another frothy instant coffee drink, but it is prepared differently.
When you are in the mood for something sweeter, my iced caramel latte is another good option.
1-Minute Instant Iced Coffee
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup ice cubes plus more for serving if desired
- 2-3 teaspoons instant coffee
- 2-3 teaspoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Add the milk, water, ice, instant coffee and brown sugar to a countertop blender. If using an immersion blender, place everything in a tall beaker.
- Blend until the coffee has dissolved and the drink is smooth, with a light layer of foam on top. Blend a little longer for more foam.
- Add extra ice to two glasses if you like. Pour in the coffee and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- I normally use 2 teaspoons of instant coffee. Use 3 teaspoons when you want a stronger drink.
- Whole milk gives the richest and smoothest result. You can also use 2% or skim milk.
- Almond milk works, but the finished drink is not as rich, smooth or foamy as it is with cow’s milk.
- White sugar or another sweetener can be used instead of brown sugar. Adjust the amount to taste.
- Ground coffee cannot be substituted for instant coffee because it will not dissolve.
- No blender? Add all the ingredients, including the ice, to a large jar with a tight-fitting lid. Leave some empty space, close the lid securely and shake well until the coffee and sugar have dissolved and foam forms. Shaking it with the ice helps create more foam, but the texture will be different because the ice remains whole.
- Serve immediately. The foam will settle and the ice will start to melt as the drink sits.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and may vary based on ingredient brands, substitutions, and portion sizes.
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i tried it and it was so good my mom tells me to make it for her everyday :)
:) That’s great to hear, Jasmine!
Just tried this recipe – great and easy! I added some vanilla ice cream for some extra flavor!
Thanks for your feedback, Kim!:) Have you tried making Italian adffogato? You might also like it. Hot coffee is poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream (and topped with a drizzle of chocolate sauce if you like). It’s like a 2-in-1: a dessert + coffee.
Yes, I have! The ice cream in your recipe makes it great for a hot summer day though!
Coffee is the only drink which i love most.
:)
Just tried this and it’s amazing!! I made it with oat milk and i’m so happy I found this recipe it’s so quick and easy to make!!
This was such a good recipe for us iced coffee lovers!!! Though depending on your taste I added a bit of white sugar as well as more milk but that’s just personal preference…. besides that it was very delicious!!
Thank you so much for your feedback, Ciara!
I love it but mine came out white not a carmel color but other wise it’s amazing and I also put 2 tsp of sugar to make it sweater and yum!❤
Hi Lillyana. Thanks for your feedback. The color depends on how much coffee and milk you use. Next time you can add less milk to see if you like it more. Enjoy!
Hi just came across your recipe and it sounds and looks delicious but I don’t have a blender and was wondering if there was a way to make it without one?
Hi Cat, you could try shaking in a jar instead, but not sure how well will that work. You would probably have to omit the 1 cup of ice cubes, increase the quantity of water (I am guessing to a 1 cup) and taste it and see if you like it. Then just use ice cubes for serving. Hope this helps and let us know if you do give it a go.
OhEmGeee! I’m not sure why I waited soooo long to try this recipe! This coffee is AMAZING! My son added more ice instead of the water and made is own frappe! So yummy! Definitely 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
:) Thanks for your feedback and rating, Melissa! We drink this a lot during summer :)
Have been searching for a perfect iced coffee and this is amazing! I used beanies salted caramel instant coffee and it was amazing. Also used sweetener rather than sugar!
Hi Chloe! Thanks so much for your feedback. Mmm, salted caramel instant coffee sounds so good. Must check it out! :)
I have a question about the sugar. The recipe says brown sugar, but the video and the link look more like sugar in the raw. Is that what we should be using? If you do mean brown sugar, is it light or dark?
Hi Gabriella. You can use any sugar you like and adjust the quantity to your liking! It only acts as a sweetener. If you don’t like your coffee sweetened, you could omit it completely. As for the sugar on the video, it is regular brown sugar I get from our local supermarket. It is not raw sugar, but like I said, use whatever you like or have on hand.
I’d never made iced coffee before because I find coffee very bitter – but I made this (admittedly with a bit more sugar) and it tasted amazing! Thanks for the recipe – will definitely make again!! :)))
Yay! That’s great to hear, Olivia! :)
Hi again! I was just wondering if I could store this? Would it be possible for me to keep it in the fridge for another day? What would you suggest? Thanks :)
I have never tried, but I don’t see a reason why not. Just make sure to shake it well before drinking. Hope it helps!
Hey!
Did you try having it in fridge for another day? Did it work? Was it good?
Best Iced Coffee recipe I’ve tasted! I added a teaspoon of honey instead of adding sugar – amazing! The recipe is easy and quick.
Thanks so much for your comment and rating, Marla! Hope you find some more recipes on our blog.
Just made this because it’s been so hot but I still wanna drink coffee & I think I prefer this over the hot stuff. So good. 10/10 do recommend
Thanks so much for your feedback, Katie! Wish it was hot in our corner of the world :)
I’m not a coffee fan at all but I wanted to find an alternative for energy drinks, this was absolutely perfect. Not only am I saving money but it’s super quick! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
So i was very desperate for some coffee and had some instant coffee i haven’t touched for a year in my pantry. I came across this recipe pretty skeptical because i find instant coffee quite gross but this recipe was SO GOOD! I will now use the instant coffee for this recipe EVERYDAY. And maybe add a little twist to it with caramel and vanilla. I added a little more brown sugar because it was too bitter for me, but other than that BRAVO!
Yay! :) I am so happy you gave it a go even though you were not fan of instant coffee…and you loved it! Thanks so much for the feedback, Davona :)
wow delish and quick iced coffee. I love the taste.
That’s great to hear, Amber!
Thank you Julia. Phenomenal, refreshing drink! Easy, tasty, beats Starbucks hands down.
Glad to hear that, Mark! Thanks for finding time to leave a comment and rating :).
I love the taste! But I can’t seem to get foam and mine just ends up like a slushie?! I am using flax milk, do you think that makes a difference?! No matter, it is refreshing and so quick!!!
Hi Stephanie! Thanks so much for your feedback. Hmm…The foam forms when blending coffee, ice, water, etc together (step 1). Do you use immersion blender to blend it together? I haven’t used flax milk so no idea but I used almond milk and it worked well (not sure if that helps). I suggest you try again – blend it well until you see a lot of foam and only then pour into glasses.
This looks SO good…I love iced coffee and this 1 minute version looks so tempting…will be trying this for sure!
Thanks Wajeeha! Hope you’ll like it!
Your 1 Minute Instant Iced Coffee, sounds yummy with the hot and humid summer we have been having. Can you use 2% milk with it? Asking because that is all I ever buy. Thanks in advance.
Hi Judi! Glad you like it! Yes, you can use 2% milk by all means! Let me know what you think once you give it a go! Thanks for stopping by!