Perfect Iced Coffee

Fuel the day with Ree Drummond's perfect iced coffee. This recipe shows you how to make cold brew concentrate, and how to turn it into creamy iced coffee.

By Ree Drummond Published: Jun 13, 2011

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Yields:

24 serving(s)

Prep Time:

8 hr

Total Time:

8 hr

I love hot coffee, cold coffee, and every single one of these scrumptious coffee desserts, but when it comes to coffee recipes , there's just something about a glass of cool, creamy, strong iced coffee that I love best—and the concentrate in this recipe will make the best one you’ve ever tasted!

The cold brew concentrate is easy to make in bulk and you can store it in your fridge so it's there waiting anytime you need it. I’ve also included how I like to make my iced coffee: It's a little sweet, a little naughty, and truly so delicious. (Hint: It calls for sweetened condensed milk and half-and-half.)

I used to make this with 1 pound of coffee per 8 quarts of water, but I’ve graduated to 2 pounds of coffee and I’ll never turn back. This recipe will save you a trip to the coffee shop!

Ingredients

2 lb. freshly ground coffee (good, rich roast) - 3 pounds is even more concentrated!
8 qt. cold water
Half-and-half (healthy splash per serving)
Sweetened condensed milk (2 to 3 Tbsp. per serving)
Skim milk, 2% milk, whole milk, sugar, artificial sweeteners, syrups (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Mix the ground coffee with the water in a large container. Cover and allow to sit at room temperature for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours.
Step 2

Line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth and set it over a pitcher or other container. Pour the coffee/water mixture through the strainer, allowing all the liquid to run through. Discard the grounds.
Step 3

Place the coffee liquid in the fridge and allow to cool. Use as needed.
Step 4

To make iced coffee, pack a glass full of ice cubes. Fill the glass 2/3 full with coffee liquid. Add a healthy splash of half-and-half. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk (you can use plain sugar instead) and stir to combine. Taste and adjust half-and-half and/or sweetened condensed milk as needed.