How to Make Iced Coffee With a Coffee Maker
Nothing beats a cold glass of iced coffee on a warm summer morning. Smooth, bold, and beautifully chilled iced coffee offers a moment of quiet refreshment during busy mornings, peaceful afternoons, or friendly summer gatherings.
In this guide, we’ll explore how you can craft delicious iced coffee at home with common coffee makers. Grab your favorite Mystic Monk Coffee beans, and let’s get brewing!
What Makes a Great Iced Coffee
There are a few key components to delicious iced coffee, and we’re not just talking about beans and water.
- Freshly roasted, quality coffee beans: The better the beans, the better the brew. Mystic Monk Coffee beans are roasted in small batches by Carmelite monks in the Rocky Mountains, ensuring bold flavor in every sip.
- Brew strength: Ice can mellow out your brew. To avoid a watered-down drink, make your coffee double-strength. It should taste a bit too strong when hot, because once the ice melts, it’ll be just right.
- Cooling time: Brewing directly over ice helps lock in vibrant flavors, preventing bitterness that comes from coffee sitting out too long.
- Smoothness & Acidity: The best iced coffees are bold but never bitter, strong yet easy to sip. With the right beans and method, you can strike that perfect balance every time.
For quality coffee and tea accessories, shop Mystic Monk Coffee!
Methods for Making Iced Coffee
You don’t need fancy equipment to make exceptional iced coffee. With a few tweaks, your everyday coffee maker can become your at-home barista.
Drip Coffee Maker (Flash Brew Method)
Using a traditional drip coffee maker is one of the easiest ways to make iced coffee. It is perfect for busy mornings when you want an iced pick-me-up.
What You’ll Need:
- Your favorite Mystic Monk Coffee (we recommend Mystic Monk Blend or Midnight Vigils Blend)
- A drip coffee maker
- Fresh ice
How to Brew:
- Use twice the usual amount of coffee grounds to make a strong batch.
- Fill your carafe with ice equal to the amount of water you’ll brew.
- Brew the coffee directly onto the ice.
- Stir gently to combine the melted ice and coffee.
- Pour into a glass filled with fresh ice, and add milk or sweetener if desired.
This method chills your coffee instantly, preserving the fresh-roasted flavor.
French Press Iced Coffee
If you love a richer, fuller-bodied coffee, the French Press is the method for you. Use our Monk Press for the best results.
What You’ll Need:
- Coarse-ground Mystic Monk Coffee
- A French press
- Hot water
- Ice
How to Brew:
- Use double-strength proportions: about 1½ – 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 oz of hot water.
- Let steep for 4 minutes, then press slowly.
- Pour the hot coffee over a tall glass of ice.
- Stir and enjoy. Optional: Add a splash of cream or a hint of sweet syrup.
The French press draws out natural oils and depth, giving your iced coffee a comforting richness.
Pour-Over Iced Coffee
The pour-over method is great for highlighting delicate notes and bright acidity in your coffee beans.
What You’ll Need:
- Medium-ground coffee
- A pour-over setup (like a Chemex or V60)
- Ice
- Hot water
How to Brew:
- Place ice in your serving carafe.
- Brew your pour-over as usual, but use only half the normal amount of water.
- The hot coffee will drip onto the ice, instantly chilling and diluting to the perfect strength.
- Pour over a glass of fresh ice and enjoy.
This method preserves complex aromas and yields a bright, clean cup.
Aeropress Iced Coffee
Quick, compact, and delightfully bold, the Aeropress is a favorite for iced coffee on the go.
What You’ll Need:
- Finely-ground coffee
- An Aeropress
- Ice
- Hot water
How to Brew:
- Use 2 scoops of finely ground coffee (try our Super Monk Blend) and 4-6 oz of hot water.
- Stir and steep for about 1 minute.
- Press the coffee directly over a glass filled with ice.
- Add more ice or cold water to dilute as needed.
This method produces a concentrated, espresso-like brew with low acidity. The Aeropress is perfect for making iced lattes.
Single-Serve Iced Coffee (e.g., Keurig)
If convenience is your priority, single-serve brewers can still deliver a delicious iced cup, especially when you start with quality Monk Shot pods like ours.
What You’ll Need:
- Single-serve coffee pods
- A single-serve machine (like a Keurig)
- Ice
How to Brew:
- Choose a bold roast (Mystic Monk Blend Pods are a great choice).
- Brew directly over a full glass of ice.
- Add milk or flavor as desired.
Tip: Use the smallest cup setting for a stronger brew.
Moka Pot Iced Coffee
The stovetop Moka pot brews strong, espresso-like coffee perfect for iced drinks.
What You’ll Need:
- Finely-ground coffee
- A Moka pot
- Ice
How to Brew:
- Brew as usual using finely ground coffee.
- Fill a glass with ice and pour the hot coffee directly over it.
- Add milk, sugar, or flavoring as you like.
Because Moka pot coffee is strong and concentrated, it stands up beautifully to ice and mix-ins.
Espresso Over Ice (Iced Americano or Latte Style)
Even espresso lovers can create café-quality iced drinks right at home.
What You’ll Need:
- Medium-ground coffee
- An espresso machine
- Ice
- Cold water or milk
How to Brew:
- Pull a double shot of espresso.
- For an iced Americano, pour espresso over a glass filled with ice and add cold water to taste.
- For an iced latte, pour espresso over ice, then top with chilled milk.
Add a touch of vanilla syrup or caramel for a monastery-approved treat.
Cold Brew
While not technically made with a coffee maker, we couldn’t leave out this popular method.
What You’ll Need:
- Coarse-ground coffee
- A jar or other container
- Cold water
How to Brew:
- Combine coarse coffee grounds and cold water (1:4 ratio) in a jar or other sealable container.
- Steep for 12–24 hours in the fridge.
- Strain and pour over ice, diluting to taste with water or milk.
Choosing the Right Coffee & Grind
The secret to an iced coffee that sings? The right bean.
- Go bold: Medium to dark roasts hold up beautifully over ice. We recommend Mystic Monk Breakfast Blend, Midnight Vigils Blend, or Hermit’s Bold Blend.
- Grind accordingly: Coarse for French press and cold brew; medium for drip and pour-over; and fine for Moka pot and Aeropress.
- Grind fresh if you can: It makes a big difference in aroma and taste. However, if you’re short on time and supplies, our pre-ground coffee uses a “Universal” grind that is perfect for most home brewers.
Iced Coffee Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the base brew, the real fun begins. Iced coffee is wonderfully versatile, so you can keep it as simple or as creative as you’d like.
Whether you prefer the classic or crave something more indulgent, these variations are perfect for discovering your favorite way to sip and savor.
Classic Milk & Sugar
The timeless pairing of brewed coffee, ice, a splash of milk, and a touch of sweetness is comfort in a cup. Add a tablespoon of milk (whole, skim, or your favorite non-dairy version) and sweeten with simple syrup, honey, or even maple syrup to your base iced coffee. Stir gently and enjoy.
Mocha Style (Chocolate Iced Coffee)
For days that need a little extra joy, a mocha-style iced coffee is just the thing. Brew a strong cup and stir in a generous spoonful of chocolate syrup or cocoa powder dissolved in a bit of hot water. Add milk to taste, pour over ice, and top with whipped cream if you're feeling fancy.
It’s dessert and coffee all in one, with just enough richness to make any moment feel special.
Dairy-Free Delights (Almond, Oat, Coconut Milk)
Do you prefer to keep things plant-based? Iced coffee is a beautiful canvas for non-dairy milks. Almond milk adds a nutty crispness, oat milk offers a creamy texture with a hint of sweetness, and coconut milk lends a tropical twist. Try each one to see which best complements your favorite roast.
Paradiso Blend pairs especially well with oat milk for a naturally smooth finish. Add a dash of cinnamon or a swirl of honey for a little extra love.
Flavored Syrups or Beans (Vanilla, Caramel, Hazelnut, and More)
Turn your iced coffee into a café-worthy creation with just a splash of flavored syrup. Vanilla syrup brings out gentle sweetness and soft floral notes, while caramel syrup adds buttery depth. Hazelnut delivers warm, nutty tones that shine when paired with cream.
Use 1–2 tablespoons per glass, stir well, and remember to explore seasonal flavors — like pumpkin spice in autumn or peppermint in winter — to keep things fresh and festive all year long.
Alternatively, you could use any of our flavored coffee beans to get the flavor without needing to add any syrup or cream.
Coffee Ice Cubes
This is the secret to strong iced coffee from the first sip to the last. Brew an extra cup of Mystic Monk Coffee, let it cool, and pour it into an ice tray. Freeze overnight, then use these cubes in place of regular ice.
As they melt, they add more coffee, not water, so your drink stays bold and delicious.
Pro tip: Make flavored cubes with a dash of cinnamon, sweetener, or vanilla extract for a subtle twist that reveals itself slowly as the ice melts.
Conclusion
There’s something almost sacred about the quiet moments a good cup of coffee can bring, especially when that cup is cool, calming, and crafted with care.
At Mystic Monk Coffee, each bag is roasted by monks whose daily work flows from prayer and community. When you brew our coffee, you’re joining in that rhythm, bringing a bit of the monastery’s peace into your day.
No matter how you make it, iced coffee is your invitation to pause, refresh, and savor.
Stock up on your favorite Mystic Monk Coffee beans and start your delicious iced coffee journey today.
