Creating café-worthy Nescafe iced coffee at home is a breeze with my three simple steps.
Start by dissolving 2 teaspoons of instant coffee in hot water to make a concentrated base, letting it cool to room temperature. After you do this just fill a glass halfway with ice cubes and gradually pour in cold water, maintaining a 2:1 water-to-coffee ratio. You can customize the drink with syrups, cream, or spices.
I go into more detail below so you can make your own.
Quick Summary
- Mix 2 teaspoons of Nescafe instant coffee with 2-3 tablespoons hot water until completely dissolved.
- Let the concentrated coffee mixture cool to room temperature for optimal results.
- Fill glass halfway with ice cubes and gradually add cold water, maintaining 2:1 water-to-coffee ratio.
- Customize with optional additions like vanilla syrup, milk, whipped cream, or cinnamon for enhanced flavor.
- Avoid using small ice cubes and ensure proper concentrate cooling to prevent dilution and crystallization.
Step 1: Preparing Your Coffee Base
The foundation of any great iced coffee starts with a properly prepared coffee base, and Nescafe instant coffee makes this process delightfully simple – no fancy equipment required!
To create the perfect coffee base:
- Use 2 teaspoons of Nescafe instant coffee
- Add 2-3 tablespoons of hot (not boiling) water
- Stir vigorously until completely dissolved
The secret lies in creating a concentrated coffee solution that won’t get watered down when ice is added later. Think of it as creating coffee essence – much like those fancy coffee shops do, minus the pretentious attitude and astronomical prices.
My Pro tip: For an extra smooth result, let the concentrated mixture cool to room temperature before the next steps. This prevents that dreaded coffee crystallization that can make your drink look like a failed science experiment.
Step 2: Adding Ice and Cold Water
Once your coffee concentrate has reached the ideal temperature, it’s time for the most satisfying part – watching those ice cubes dance and swirl as they meet their caffeinated destiny.
Fill your glass about halfway with ice cubes – and yes, the size matters!
Those tiny party ice cubes will melt faster than your Monday morning motivation, while those giant spherical ones might stick around until next week’s grocery run.
Add cold water gradually, letting it cascade over the ice in a way that would make any barista proud. The ideal ratio is:
- 2 parts cold water
- 1 part coffee concentrate
The key is achieving that perfect marriage of coffee and water without ending up with a watery disappointment that looks like it came from the office break room’s forgotten coffee pot.
Step 3: Customizing Your Perfect Blend
Now comes everyone’s favorite part – turning that basic iced coffee into a personalized masterpiece that perfectly matches their caffeine-fueled dreams. The possibilities are endless, and this is where coffee lovers can let their creativity shine.
For those seeking increased mental clarity, adding a teaspoon of MCT oil can enhance the cognitive benefits of your iced coffee creation.
Popular customization options include:
- A splash of vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut syrup
- A dollop of whipped cream topped with cocoa powder
- A dash of cinnamon or nutmeg
- Various milk options (whole, almond, oat, or coconut)
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent affogato-style treat
Some adventurous souls even add unexpected twists like a pinch of sea salt or a squeeze of orange. The key is experimenting until finding that perfect combination that makes taste buds dance.
Remember, there’s no wrong way to customize – unless someone adds ketchup, which actually happened at a café once (please don’t try that at home).
For those following a plant-based diet, vegan coffee creamers offer dairy-free alternatives with rich flavors like pecan caramel and cinnamon swirl.
