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Funny to admit – I’m finally starting to feel like an adult, because I’ve figured out how to make a good cup of coffee at home. I’m going to share how to make a Starbucks iced coffee copycat recipe via two methods: cold pressed iced coffee and French press iced coffee.
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There’s nothing I enjoy more than a cold, delicious iced coffee from Starbucks. But sometimes I don’t have the time (or, let’s be real, the money) to pick one of these bad boys up in the mornings, so I was determined to figure out how to make Starbucks iced coffee at home, which is exactly what I did!
The trick to making the iced coffee to taste like it’s from a coffee shop is to cold press it or use a French press, and then serve it with a simple syrup and cream. Having a simple syrup is the smooth sweetness that compliments the coffee so well and because it is already a liquid, you won’t have any pesky sugar granules coming through the straw! Coffee made via these methods are so smooth, you’re going to love it, so lets dive in.
How to make iced coffee via the French Press method:
- You’ll need a French press, and a bag of ground coffee
- Warm water – you want it very hot, but not boiling (200 degrees to be exact). I microwave water for 3 minutes per 2 cups of water. Or, I recently got this kettle, it’s life changing and has a ‘French press’ water heating setting on it!
- Pour water into French press, add coffee grounds (my magic number is 2.5 scoops per cup of water -alevel scoop of coffee should contain two tablespoons of coffee, which are approximately10 gramsor 0.36 ounces.).
- Stir with a plastic or wooden spoon or reusable plastic straw – you don’t want a metal spoon to scratch the bottom of the French press.
- Let sit for 4 minutes, then put the lid on, press gently, and pour coffee over a big glass of ice.
- Stir in simple syrup and creamer or make sweet cream coffee creamer. Enjoy.
- Save leftovers in the fridge and serve over ice.
How to make iced coffee via the cold pressed method:
- You’ll need a large pitcher or measuring cup, a bag of ground coffee, and a coffee filter.
- Start by measuring out 8 cups of water, pour bag of coffee grounds (12 oz) into the water, stir once (with a plastic or paper straw or spoon) and cover. Let sit for 24 hrs.
- After 24 hrs strain through coffee filter into a pitcher. Refrigerate for 8 hours and then your coffee is ready to enjoy!
- This makes a really strong ‘concentrate’ – mix 1/2 cup concentrate with 1/2 cup water and pour over ice (this is for strong coffee, if you like it weaker, add more water.) Add simple syrup and creamer or make sweet coffee creamer.
To me, a cold glass of iced coffee is the‘cat’s meow.’
Out of curiosity, I looked up what the phrase ‘cat’s meow’ meant, and totally got a laugh out of Urban Dictionary’s use of it in a sentence ‘George, yourzoot suitis quite the cat’s meow!’ aaahhhhahaha! I’m still going with it in this context ‘Phi, this iced coffee is the cat’s meow!’
And how perfect- this Starbucks iced coffee copycat drink has less than 5 ingredients making it perfect for this week’s Five Ingredient Friday!
Starbucks Iced Coffee Copycat Recipe
I have finally figured out how to make a good cup of coffee at home. I'm going to share how to make a Starbucks iced coffee copycat recipe via two methods: cold pressed iced coffee and French press iced coffee.
4.43 from 54 votes
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Servings: 8 cups concentrate (makes 16-20 cups of iced coffee)
Ingredients
Cold Pour Over Method
- 9 cups water divided
- 1 lb coffee
- 1 cup sugar
For each cup of iced coffee
- 1/2 cup coffee concentrate
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1/2 cups water
- 1-2 tbs simple syrup (or sweetener/ratio of choice), optional
- 1-2 tbs half and half optional
French Press Method
- 4 cups water steaming, not boiling
- 10 scoops coffee grounds
For each cup of iced coffee
- 2 cups freshly pressed coffee
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1-2 tbs simple syrup (or sweetener/ratio of choice), optional
- 1-2 tbs half and half optional
Instructions
Cold Press Pour Over Method
Start by measuring out 8 cups of water, pour entire pound of coffee grounds on into the water, stir once and cover. Let sit for 24 hrs. After 24 hrs strain through coffee filter into a pitcher. Refrigerate for 8 hours and then your coffee is ready to enjoy! This makes a really strong 'concentrate' if you will.
To make the simple syrup add equal parts water and sugar to a pot over medium heat. Heat until the sugar is dissolved and liquid is clear. Allow to cool. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
To make a cup of iced coffee fill a cup with ice, pour coffee over ice (add 1/2 cup water per 1/2 cup of concentrate as the coffee will be very strong) and add 1-2 tbs of the simple syrup or until desired sweetness level is reached. Next add a dash of half and half (or until desired cream level is reached) stir and enjoy!
French Press Method
You'll need a French press, and a bag of ground coffee
*For the warm water - you want it very hot, but not boiling (200 degrees). I microwave water for 3 minutes per 2 cups of water.
Pour water into French press, add coffee grounds (my magic number is 2.5 scoops per cup of water-alevel scoop of coffee should contain two tablespoons of coffee, which are approximately10 gramsor 0.36 ounces).
Stir with a plastic or wooden spoon or reusable plastic straw - you don't want a metal spoon to scratch the bottom of the French press.
Let sit for 4 minutes, then put the lid on, press gently, and pour coffee over a big glass of ice.Stir in simple syrup and creamer or make sweet cream coffee creamer.
Enjoy.
Save leftovers in the fridge and serve over ice.
Notes
The nutrition information presented on this site should be considered an estimate as the calculations will change based on the exact products you use in your own kitchen.
Nutrition
Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 30mg | Potassium: 64mg | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg
I originally shared this post back in 2014 and have updated it to include both methods!
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Jared Mancuso says
In the French Press Method, pouring it over ice would just melt the ice? Or do you let that ice melt and add more? I’m just a little confused there. I definitely want to try this out!
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Sweetphi says
Great question. I pour it over ice, most of the ice melts but not all, and then I add a little extra ice depending, hope that helps
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Jen says
What exactly constitutes as a “scoop”? A Tbsp? 16g??
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Sweetphi says
What a great question, thanks for asking! I thought a coffee scoop was a very common thing, but in case you don’t have one, alevel scoop of coffee should contain two tablespoons of coffee, which are approximately10 gramsor 0.36 ounces! Hope that helps, I’ve updated the post with this information too 🙂
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Priscilla Cantu-Rivas says
Thank you so much! Did it today and it’s pretty close! Now I can stop buying coffee at Starbucks! Very very thankful
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Sweetphi says
That makes me so happy to hear! Thanks for sharing!!
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Elena says
Wow, this recipe looks fantastic, thanks for sharing. Always in for a good iced coffee, especially in summer.
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Sweetphi says
Thank you so much, so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
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Kirsten Singleton says
I didnt have any half and half nor time to wait 24 hours so cureg vups abd almond milk were great substitutes!
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Sweetphi says
Sounds great!
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Allissa says
I know this is an older post, but just found it. Do you use cold water, hot water, room temp? When you let it sit do you put it in the fridge or leave it on the counter? Thanks!
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Sweetphi says
Thank you for your comment. I use cold or room temperature water, and just let it sit on the counter.
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Kayce says
How long does this store? Like if I made it one a Sunday would it last the work week !?
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Sweetphi says
This stores for a week minimum (although it never lasts that long in my house lol)
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Carl says
uhhh.. 1 lb of coffee will cost more than a venti drink at StartBucks. I want to make this but I’m not going to throw away a pound (1 POUND!@) of coffee for 8 cups.
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Sweetphi says
Hi Carl, thanks for your comment. I think you might have read the recipe wrong. You’re essentially making 8 cups of coffee concentrate, and then adding water, simple syrup and creamer per cup, so it makes a lot more than 8 cups of actual finished iced coffee. I’ll try to edit the yield to make it more clear. Also, I’m not sure what type of coffee you’re buying, I know the stuff can get super pricey, but at my Starbucks a pound of coffee is about $8-12 (I like the Pike place roast) so even if it would just make 8 cups it would be about a dollar per cup, and for me an iced coffee grande is around $2.50, so that’s a saving of over half if I make it at home. Hope that helps 🙂
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Ash*ta says
wow.. delicious Absolutely loved it. the best recipe for iced coffee i came across. Thanks a lot for sharing.
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Sweetphi says
You’re so welcome, so glad you enjoyed it!
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Alyssa Faison says
why would you not just use sweetened condensed milk?
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Sweetphi says
I find that sweetened condensed milk is way too sweet and not creamy enough like heavy cream or half and half. But, if you’d prefer to use that as the sweeter, feel free to do so 🙂
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Melissa Wiggington says
What brand/flavor of coffee do you normally cold brew with?
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Sweetphi says
I usually like to brew with 100% arabica beans. I happen to work at a company that sells amazing coffee so that’s what I use here’s a link to the exact one I use (http://store.truebotanica.com/store/product/SRW0374/FreshRoastedCoffee.aspx)
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Ahhhhh!!!!!! Phi, this iced coffee is definitely a cat’s meow!!!!! 😀 Loved it!!!!! Waking up to this beauty in the summer heat??? YES…YES…YES!!!!
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Sweetphi says
I’m glad you liked it and that you agree that it’s the cat’s meow lol, and you’re spot on…there’s nothing better than waking up to a cold glass of iced coffee in the summer!
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Uhh, nice. I love those caramel sirups with it. Gives the whole things such a great taste… 🙂
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Sweetphi says
I love syrups with my coffee too! Caramel would be delicious with it as well 🙂
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Norma says
Oh I like this. I’ll be making this for sure. Thanks, Phi!
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Sweetphi says
Awe, thanks for commenting, let me know how it comes out!
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We are so alike, along with Ashley! I have an iced coffee recipe on my blog as well and I agree…it saves so much time and money to make our own. Especially with how easy it is!! Love how you make your own simple syrup! Perfect for warmer days!
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Sweetphi says
Thanks girl, I love a good cup of iced coffee, and thank you for the sweet comment 🙂 I’m totally one of those people that likes sweet and creamy iced coffee, so the simple syrup just adds a wonderful sweet note!
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cheri says
This sounds really good Phi, also it probably does not have as much calories and other stuff in it. Happy week-end to you!
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Sweetphi says
You’ve hit the nail on the head cheri-you can make it as low calorie as you want by controlling the about of simple syrup and whatever else goes in!
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Ashley says
I constantly keep a giant vat of cold-brew coffee in my fridge during the warmer weather! I love it – and it’s so much cheaper than buying one every day : ) Plus, I can use my favorite type of coffee – score! haha Have a great weekend!
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Sweetphi says
Yes yes yes! That’s exactly the way I look at it, it’s delicious, a lot cheaper and so refreshing! Thanks for commenting girl!
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