Do I need an iced coffee maker to make iced coffee?

I got introduced to iced coffee by a friend. He came over to watch a honkbal game and brought an extra large Iced Coffee from Starbucks. Since then I was hooked. But I moved to a new place and I don’t have a coffee shop within 5 walking minutes from my home anymore. So I questioned ‘Can I make myself an Iced Coffee at home and do I need an Iced Coffee maker?’

After tasting more than 100 iced coffee. At least 80 hours of research on the internet about what alternatives you have besides an Iced Coffee maker I hope this can help you in determining if an Iced Coffee Maker is perfect for you.

I looked and tasted 5 different types of iced coffee. Calculate your cost savings and test the convenience of each brewing method (cold brew, drip coffee, espresso, iced coffee maker and coffee which went cold).

Do I need an iced coffee maker to make iced coffee?
Table of Contents

Coffee with a lot of ice

My favorit is Classic Iced coffee. You smell and feel the dark coffee tingling down your throat but at the same time the drink is cold and refreshing on a warm and hot day.

If we look at the basic ingredients it is just plain black coffee with no added milk or sugar. Then the coffee is poured in a glass full of ice and preferably consumed via a straw. Is it worth all the fuss around iced coffee? I would say ‘Yes’.

But the big question is, can I make this delicious drink at home? There are multiple routes to a perfect Iced Coffee; your closest coffee shop, cold brew, drip filter coffee mixed with ice, espresso being cooled down or a special iced coffee maker. 

Making iced coffee at home not only allows you to enjoy your favorite drink whenever you want, but it also gives you more control over the quality and ingredients. You can choose the type of coffee beans, the roast level, and the brewing method to create a personalized iced coffee that suits your taste buds. Moreover, by making iced coffee at home, you can save money and reduce waste by using reusable cups and straws instead of disposable ones. But what route to go, and is a iced coffee maker worth the buck? So let's start testing

After having tested for more than 80 hours and numerous iced coffee variations I'm still in love with the Classic Iced Coffee. 

Classic Iced Coffee a delicous drink for a hot day

Do you need a separated iced coffee maker?

To put this question to a test I did my own research. My friend Jaimy was kind enough to lend his Iced Coffee Maker to me. He said it takes all the guesswork out for him. It tells you exactly where to put your water, exactly how much ice you need to get it perfect.

I bought enough ice cubes for my Iced Coffee testing

I don’t know yet if I want to spend money on a special iced Coffee Maker. So I have four alternatives to try and test against the Iced coffee maker.

  • Pour filter coffee over ice, made with a drip coffee machine
  • Espresso shots cooled down by ice
  • Cold brew with some extra cold water
  • Let coffee go cold and then mix it with ice

I ended up making 5 different types of iced coffee to taste. To make it a fair test I added in some variations. I made 5 different coffees all at once, a test for tasting. But to see if the method is convenient I tested every single one of the five methods for 2 days in a row.

To give you an idea of how much this involved. I would drink iced coffee in the morning, during lunch, at mid-afternoon and after dinner for 10 days in a row. Before the testing could start I brought all the ingredients in the house. So I had enough ice cubes in the house to give a summer party. I grinded the same coffee beans every time so the beans wouldn’t make the taste difference.

Let’s start the testing

All supplies are in the house, for the first round of tasting I want 5 iced coffees all made differently. To make sure I can taste and drink 5 iced coffee around the same time I need to prepare some of the coffee already up front.

Ice coffee from a Iced Coffee Maker

We need an iced coffee maker, water, grinded coffee and ice cubes. As mentioned for a fair test I used the same grinded coffee for every single ice coffee I made. I put the Iced Coffee maker on the counter, took the tumbler out of the machine and poured in the water till the marked waterline.

Put the water in the body of the Iced Coffee Maker. Added coffee grinds in the reusable filter and closed the lid. Tossed the ice cubes in the tumbler, placed it below the sprout and press Start. 

Wow, 4 minutes of waiting and the coffee started to pour out. This was quick and easy to begin with.

Iced Coffee maker from MrCoffee borrowed from a friend

Pour coffee over ice from a drip coffee machine / Iced Filter Coffee

add your grounded coffee in the paper coffee filter

Second type of iced coffee. I brewed one pot of filter coffee for one person and turned off the heating plate below the pot. Poured the coffee over the ice cubes in the glass and ended up with having leftover coffee in the pot. It just didn’t fit in the glass. 

To use ‘filter coffee’ or ‘drip coffee’ for the Iced coffee I need to adjust some of my settings. I did some small variations. Like I used the same amount of water and coffee grinds as with the Iced Coffee Maker. Used the tumbler from the Iced Coffee Maker to pour in the filter coffee (it fitted all the filter coffee, as it is a large tumbler). 

But the best results I got with using half the amount of water but keeping the rest unchanged. So the same amount of coffee grinds for one cup, half the amount of water and the other half of water is in the ice cubes. 

I brewed a pot of filter coffee with less water and poured it over the ice cubes. Second cup of Ice Coffee was ready to taste.

Espresso shot cooled down by the ice

As a coffee lover I do have an espresso machine at home. I didn’t adjust any of the grinding, water or temperature settings. I made the espresso as I would normally drink it. For the first ice coffee I made one shot of espresso. I use a large glass 12oz.(355 ml.) Due to the little amount of espresso, only 1oz (30 ml), the coffee taste was completely diluted. I had more ice than coffee in the glass.

I decided to make 2 shots of espresso to at least have a fair comparison between the different iced coffees. So 2 shots of espresso and a glass filled with ice. When mixed some of the ice immediately melted but this wasn’t enough to fill the glass with Iced Coffee. But for the tasting part of testing enough espresso iced coffee for me.

Make your espresso shot to your likings for a perfect Iced Coffee

Cold Brew

Cold brew coffee filtering for a deep and strong taste

This is a special way of making coffee. Cold brew is coffee soaked in cold water for about 12 / 24 hours. It gives the coffee a more delicate flavor. But you do need to think about it upfront. Luckily cold brew can be saved in the fridge for about 2 weeks. 

You have several devices which can help you with a cold brew or you can do it with a jar, ground coffee and a cheesecloth. The more familiar devices are cold brew filters in which you can soak the coffee or french press. I'm a bit spoiled in this matter because I got a soaking cold brew and a french press. I used the french press so I already prepared my coffee a day before. I just needed to press the coffee ground down and pour out the cold brew.

Cold brew is a lot stronger in comparison to filter coffee. I used less cold brew and added in some extra water when I mixed it. My line of tasting for ice coffee was almost complete.

Let coffee go cold and then mix it with ice

Last option of Iced coffee is to let coffee go cold. I made one serving of filter coffee and put it on the bench for one hour to go cold. Pour the cooled coffee in a glass full of ice cubes and give it a firm stir. Because I use filter coffee you have quite some options to change the settings. You can use less water and more grinded coffee. Or same as for the test of filter coffee, I used only half of the amount of water.

So for the test I went for filter coffee with half the amount of water and the other half came from the ice. I brewed the coffee and let it go cold for 1 hour and then mixed it with the ice cubes. So the last iced coffee was also ready for the Tasting test.


Fact
As the coffee cools down, the oxidation process accelerates and causes the breakdown of certain compounds in the coffee, particularly the bitter-tasting ones such as chlorogenic acid. This results in a more bitter and less flavorful cup of coffee.

Taste difference Iced Coffee maker or alternative

I can’t say that the ratio of water and coffee grounds was exactly the same with all the ice coffee. But that wasn’t the main point. The main test involved ‘Can I create a delicious iced coffee at home? Or do I need an Iced Coffee Maker?’.

Taste test Ice Coffee from the Iced Coffee Maker

It was really a quick and easy solution having a single serve Iced Coffee Maker on my bench. In the morning I would have my morning routine, put the tumbler under the Coffee maker and within minutes I would have a nice smelling ice coffee.

I was impressed by the taste. I got a full tumbler filled with a delicious Ice Coffee and completely ready in time for work. It didn't take me any extra effort besides grabbing the ice cubes. From a tasting point of view it is a yes. It tastes great, the flavors and the smell are 100% coffee. I also tested some recipes with it after the 10 days of Iced Coffee tasting. 

Taste test espresso shot with ice

Delicious, and every time a disappointment when I reach the bottom of my glass. Two shots of espresso isn’t that much and because it is cold you drink it a lot faster. What I forgot was the intake of caffeine. The first night I couldn’t find sleep at night, not strange after making 5 ice coffees with espresso. Which calculates down to 11 espressos, I made one extra during lunch with 3 shots of espresso. 

The caffeine intake was way higher than intended, it became a bit diluted through the ice but not enough. So for the second test day I made sure to stick to the 4 ice coffees. But what a delight it was. If I continue with this version I will definitely test with lower doses of grind. We are used to 18 grams of grinded coffee. But the Italians use only 7 grams of grinded coffee. This means some wiggle room for me to adjust the caffeine intake.  

Cold brew coffee with ice cubes for a tasting test

Taste test filter coffee with ice

Yes, this is a viable option. The smell and flavor are still in the iced coffee. During the 2-days of testing with filter coffee I tweaked quite some parts on the amount of water and grinds used. This way of making my morning iced coffee took most of my time. I needed to adjust my morning routine to still be ready on time for work. But after my 7th filter coffee brewed to an Ice Coffee I definitely can say I like it.  

Taste test cold brew with ice

Ooh, I’m gonna make it difficult for myself. I was able to brew a very good tasting Iced Coffee with the french press. Due to the cold brew the flavors were intense and dark, but very delicate. I did add some extra water due to the strongness of the flavor. But yum it turned out great.

I especially enjoyed this type of darker ice coffee in the evening after dinner. Sitting outside with this cold glass of iced coffee but still enjoying the weather. 

Taste test cold coffee with ice

From a tasting point this option - let coffee first be cooled by air (1 hour) and then mix the cold coffee with ice -  quickly fell out of the race. The coffee which I put on the bench and let turn cold for one hour tastes quite bitter. It really needed a sweetener to make it drinkable. I completely missed the fresh aroma smell of coffee. It tastes like bitter and stale coffee.

When I tested this method for the two days in a row I tried different options for cooling down. The brewed coffee really oxidizes with the fresh air and this is what affected the taste. Putting it in a fridge and/or freezer for 60 minutes already helpt a bit. The taste didn’t go as bitter. Having a lid on the cup also helped. But for me from a tasting point of view I prefer a slightly warmer iced coffee with a better taste than a cold coffee with this bitter taste.

Method Tasting Test Notes Timing
Iced Coffee Maker +++ 1 cup serving 5 minutes
Pour coffee over ice from drip coffee machine + From 1 cup to a full pot 8 minutes (1cup) 25 minutes (full pot)
Espresso shot with ice +++ As many as you want, caffeine intake 7 minutes
Cold brew with ice ++ Easy to make, but have to plan upfront minimum 12 hours
Coffee being cooled don - From 1 cup to full pot 30 minutes

Cost efficiency Iced Coffee Maker vs buying Ice coffee

From a cost perspective an Iced Coffee maker can be worth your money. But this is depending on how often you drink an Iced Coffee. The entry level of Iced Coffee maker starts around $ 20 up to $ 150. On the higher end most of the iced coffee makers are then combined to a hot & cold coffee maker.

How many drinks Cost Coffee shop Iced coffee maker Entry Level $ 20,- Iced coffee maker premium Level $ 150,-
One Iced Coffee per day $ 4 per day x 356 days = $ 1424 per year  Definitely worth it, go for the premium version  Yeah, make your iced coffee at home
Two Iced coffee per week $ 8 per week x 52 weeks = $ 416 per week    
One Iced coffee per week $ 4 per week X 52 weeks = $ per year  you are keeping that extra money in your pocket You even can choose to go for a premium Iced Coffee Maker
One Iced Coffee per month $ 4 per month x 12 months = $ 48 per year  Take into consideration you have to do the work and an extra machine in the house  

Most Time efficient in comparison to Iced Coffee Maker

Mhh, let’s have a look at the table ;). No, just kidding. If we look at the time efficiency then we have undoubtedly a winner with the iced Coffee maker. It takes around 4 minutes to have a freshly made Iced Coffee from the machine. I don’t know about you guys but even putting the coffee in the freezer did not get me an ice coffee in 4 minutes.

As a variation with the drip coffee maker I made a fresh pot of coffee. Due to its size I put it in the freezer for 10 minuten and then poured it over the ice cubes in the glass. But still I was busy for around 25 minutes.

But the main reason is not the time efficiency. It is the taste that makes cold coffee go stale. Iced coffee made with coffee which has gone cold is not nice. The flavors and smell which you get from freshly brewed coffee are gone.

Method Convenience Brew size Timing
Iced Coffee maker +++ 1 cup serving 5 minutes
Pour coffee over ice from Drip Coffee Machine + From 1 cup to a full pot 8 minutes (1 cup) ~ 25 minutes (full pot)
Espresso shot cooled down ++ As many as you want 7 minutes
Cold Brew Coffee - From 1 cup to a full pot 12 to 24 hours upfront ~ 5 minutes
Let Coffee go cold -- From 1 cup to a full pot 1 hour

What to make with your Iced coffee maker?

I tested for 10 days in a row all different kinds of iced Coffee. But besides the taste, money and convenience, what can you do more with an Iced Coffee Maker? I didn’t want it to be just an extra device on my bench.

I researched quite some recipes and after one full day my counter was filled with 10 different options, but to give you already a peak preview good tasting Iced coffee recipes. All the recipes are made with the Iced Coffee maker.

Classic Affogato - Italian iced coffee

Ingredients

  • 1 serving iced coffee
  • 3 scoops of vanilla ice (adjust if needed)

Steps to follow

  1. Fill the tumbler till the waterline with water. Pour the water in the body of the Iced Coffee maker
  2. Add 1 scoop grinded coffee in the reusable filter. Place the tumbler without ice under the spout.
  3. Press start and wait for the coffee to run in your tumbler.
  4. Scoop three scoops of vanilla ice cream into a glass.
  5. Pour the freshly made Iced coffee over the vanilla ice. And enjoy or ‘e goditelo’ as the italians say.

Classic Affogato to go

In step 2, scoop three scoops of vanilla ice cream into the tumbler Press start, wait and screw the lid on the tumbler. You are ready to go!

Aussie Iced latte - Australian Iced Coffee

Ingredients

  • 1 service iced coffee
  • Handful of ice cubes
  • approx. 30 ml of whole milk
  • If you like it sweet - 1 tablespoon crystal sugar of sugar syrup

Steps to follow

  1. Fill the tumbler till the waterline with water. Pour the water in the body of the Iced Coffee maker.
  2. Add 1 scoop grinded coffee in the reusable filter.
  3. Fill the tumbler with a handful of ice cubes and place it under the spout
  4. Press start. The tumbler won’t fill up till the top because you used less ice.
  5. Add the extra milk to fill your tumble to the top
    6. Stir and enjoy you Aussie Iced latte

Aussie Iced Latte a bit sweeter

In step 5, add crystal sugar or sugar syrup before you pour in the milk. Give it a good stir and then add the milk.

Cafe Sua Da - Vietnamese Iced Coffee

Ingredients

  • 1 serving Iced Coffee
  • ¼ cup of sweet condensed milk
  • 6 - 8 ice cubes

Steps to follow

  1. Fill the tumbler till the waterline with water. Pour the water in the body of the Iced Coffee maker.
  2. Add 1 scoop grinded coffee in the reusable filter.
  3. Add the sweet condensed milk and the ice cubes to the tumbler. Place it under the spout.
  4. Press start, wait and give it a good stir.

Now you have a couple of options to make with an Iced Coffee Machine.

vietnamese iced coffee known as Cafe Sua Da in a glass with green straw

Tips for your iced coffee from you iced Coffee maker

Some extra tips when your iced coffee maker brews your delicious coffee drink

  • Don't use honey, it dissolves slowly because the main purpose of the ice cubes is to make your drink cold. The honey might freeze and lay at bottom of your glass
  • Want to make sure your coffee is sweetened, use a liquid sweetener. You can even experiment with different flavors.
  • Test with different types of roasts to use, and adjust the roast to your mood
    • Dark roast will make your coffee stronger and bring more depth in flavor.
    • Medium roast will bring out the more floral and fruity notes.
    • Light roasts are brighter and tend to be a bit more acidic.

Extra tips if no iced coffee maker

If you don’t have a iced coffee maker but still want to iced coffee try one of these tips

  • Make ice cubes of your coffee. The next time you fell like an ice coffee you only have to put the ice cubes in a glass
  • Use bigger ice cubes, so it melt less quickly when you pour over your hot coffee
  • To have a stronger and flavored Iced coffee. Use more coffee grounds and less water. Or the same amount of coffee grounds and half water.
  • What can help is using plastic ice cubes, make sure they don’t melt, so it dilutes less.

Is an Iced Coffee maker worth it?

Do we have a winner? Yes and no. It is definitely a personal choice.

I tried more than 100 different iced coffees. The Iced coffee maker produces perfectly looking and tasting iced coffee. The balance between the coffee and ice is perfect but the main advantage is how quickly the device can produce your iced coffee.

For me I would love to buy the Iced Coffee Maker. I find it handy, convenient and like the taste it produces. But since I got introduced to Iced Coffee I order them twice a week. So for me the cost savings is also a factor. And since I’m moved it costs more time to go to a coffee shop.

On the other hand if I look at my space in the kitchen, I can’t leave it anywhere! I have this great espresso machine which after a lot of tweaking with water temperature and the grinding settings produces the perfect espresso. I really did like the taste of the Iced coffee made with the espresso and the cold brew. I will put an iced coffee maker on my wish list but due to my great alternatives I can live at the moment without it.

So is a Iced Coffee maker worth it? See what fits best in your kitchen, give the four options a try (at least a few time). Don't forget to look at the cost and time savings. And definitely try and taste. This is the best way to decide how to make your iced coffee.

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