DIY Iced Coffee: Barista‑Style Drinks at Home Without the Cost

I’ve recently got into coffee a little bit more. I never used to bother too much, but lately it’s become a real pick‑me‑up after workouts—rightly or wrongly. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a ten‑cups‑a‑day girl. I’ve always preferred cold drinks, so you’ll usually find me swigging a fresh OJ with breakfast rather than clutching a steaming mug.

But I do frikking love an iced coffee. The only problem? Most shop‑bought ones are either packed with sugar or drowned in so much milk they leave me feeling a bit nauseous. So I decided to combine my new appreciation for coffee with my love of a cold drink—and the result? Cue the JBS iced coffee. Barista vibes, zero faff, and no £4 price tag.

Here’s how to nail an iced coffee at home that’s smooth, refreshing, and completely customisable.

☕ 1. Start With Decent Coffee (But Keep It Simple)

You don’t need some fancy machine or to start grinding beans at dawn. If you’ve got a cafetière (French press), you’re golden. Just use your usual ground coffee and brew it a little stronger than you would for a hot drink—it’ll hold its flavour better over ice.

No cafetière? A stovetop moka pot works too. Or even instant if you’re desperate (but try and pick a decent one).

2. Cold Brew or Quick Brew?

Two easy routes:

• Cold brew: Mix ground coffee with cold water in a big jug, leave it to steep overnight in the fridge, then strain in the morning. Smooth and mellow with no bitterness.
• Quick brew: Make strong hot coffee in your cafetière, then pour it straight over a glass packed with ice. Job done.

I lean towards cold brew—it feels a bit more luxe—but quick brew is ideal if you’re impatient.

3. Keep It Simple

I’m not about sugar‑laden, milkshake‑style iced coffees. Instead:

• A splash of semi‑skimmed or whole milk if you want it creamier.
• Black over ice if you like your coffee punchy.
• A drizzle of homemade vanilla syrup (equal parts sugar and water simmered with a drop of vanilla) if you like it sweet but not sickly.

Just good coffee, ice and whatever little extras you like.

4. Make It Look Fancy (Optional, But Fun)

Part of the café vibe is how good it looks. A few easy tricks:

• Use a clear glass to show off the coffee‑milk swirls.
• Shake your iced coffee in a cocktail shaker for 10 seconds to get that silky frothy top.
• Dust with cocoa powder or cinnamon if you’re feeling boujee.

3 Iced Coffee Variations To Try

✨ Salted Caramel Iced Coffee
Stir in a teaspoon of caramel sauce and a tiny pinch of sea salt for that sweet‑salty hit. Drizzle extra caramel around the glass for café‑style vibes.

🍫 Chocolate Swirl Iced Coffee
Mix a spoonful of cocoa powder into your coffee before pouring over ice. Add a splash of milk and swirl chocolate sauce on top if you’re feeling decadent.

💪 Protein Iced Coffee
Post‑gym pick‑me‑up? Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder to your hot brew, shake with ice, and pour over a tall glass for a creamy, energy‑boosting treat.

Why Bother? Here’s the Cost Break‑Down

Your usual café iced latte: £4.00
DIY iced coffee at home: ~£1.00

That’s £3 saved per cup. Over a month? £60 back in your pocket—and all it takes is a few minutes of prep.

Quick Recipe: JBS Iced Coffee

• Ingredients:
  • 80ml strong cafetière coffee (or cold brew)
  • Ice cubes
  • Splash of semi‑skimmed or whole milk (optional)
  • 1 tsp vanilla syrup or sugar (optional)
• Method:
  1. Fill glass with ice.
  2. Pour over your coffee.
  3. Add milk and sweetener if you fancy.
  4. Stir and sip smugly.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been dropping £4 a pop on iced coffees, this is your sign to give DIY a go. You’re in control of the sweetness, the strength and—best of all—you don’t even need to put shoes on.

Next up on my list? A cheeky affogato (coffee over ice cream—trust me).