Name: McDonalds Iced Coffee Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup strong brewed coffee (cooled); 1-1½ cups ice cubes; ¼ cup milk; 2 tablespoons vanilla simple syrup (*recipe in Notes below)

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Make this delicious McDonald’s Iced Coffee recipe at home in under 5 minutes with this easy copycat recipe. With just a few basic ingredients, you can recreate your favorite iced coffee anytime – and it tastes just as good, if not better, than the one at your local coffee shop!

A tall glass of McDonald's iced coffee on a wooden table.

There’s nothing better than that first sip of morning coffee – except maybe a refreshingly cool iced coffee on a hot summer day.

Because we like to make our own delicious iced coffee drinks, we created this recipe that we think is even better than the one you buy from the golden arches but comes without the hefty coffee price! This is a basic recipe that can be altered by using different flavors of syrups.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

Easy Recipe – Ready in under 5 minutes, it’s perfect for busy mornings or as an afternoon pick-me-up.
Economical – Skip the coffee shop prices and make your favorite iced coffee at home instead.
Customizable – Adjust the sweetness and coffee strength to make it exactly how you like it!

Ingredients

Coffee. Use McDonald’s coffee for the exact coffee flavor of McDonald’s brew. McDonald’s uses Medium Dark Roast Arabica beans. A stronger brew will give you a more robust flavor that won’t be diluted from the ice cubes. You can also make Homemade Cold Brew using McDonalds brand coffee grounds.
Sweetener. Simple syrup is used to add sweetness. Use plain simple syrup for a plain iced coffee or vanilla simple syrup for a hint of vanilla flavor. You can also use Torani vanilla syrup. I suggest making homemade simple syrup using equal parts water and sugar. It lasts in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Milk. Use whole milk, heavy cream, or half and half for the ultimate creaminess.
Ice. Use large ice cubes as they melt slower, or coffee ice cubes.
Optional Toppings. Top with Vanilla Cold Foam, Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam, or a little whipped cream for an extra treat.

See the printable recipe card for exact measurements and a complete list of ingredients.

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Brew Coffee. Start by brewing your coffee a bit stronger than usual. Let it cool to room temperature. (If you are in a hurry, pop it in the fridge for about 15 minutes). I recently purchased a coffee maker with an “Iced Coffee” setting that brews coffee over ice. This has been a game-changer for me – I love it!

Step 2: Make Simple Syrup. Combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of boiling water in a saucepan or jar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

Step 3: Assemble Iced Coffee. Fill a tall glass two-thirds with ice cubes. Pour the cold coffee over ice. Add vanilla simple syrup and milk or cream.

Step 4: Stir. Give the mixture a good stir with a spoon or straw. Give it a taste, and if you would like it sweeter, add more vanilla simple syrup. Enjoy!

Cold coffee being poured over ice cubes in a tall glass.

Vanilla simple syrup being poured into the glass with the cold coffee and ice cubes.

Milk being poured into the glass with the coffee, syrup, and ice cubes.

A hand using a gold straw to mix the ingredients for the McDonalds iced coffee together.

Substitutions & Variations

Change the flavor of this McDonald’s vanilla iced coffee by trying one of these fun variations:

Syrup Flavors. Try different flavor syrups – chocolate syrup, hazelnut syrup, or caramel syrup.
Milk. Swap out the milk or cream with almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk for a dairy-free version. You can also use nonfat milk or light cream.
Sweetener. Replace simple syrup with maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup.
Spiced. Add a dash of cinnamon on top.
Iced Coffee Float. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tips

Use McDonalds’ brand coffee for the best flavor. If possible, grind beans just before brewing.
Brew your coffee stronger than usual to counteract the dilution from the ice cubes.
Start with less sweetener and adjust to taste.

Recipe FAQs

Yes, you can use instant coffee instead.

Yes, use plant-based milk instead of dairy milk or cream.

Brew it stronger than usual and then pour it over a cup of ice. The ice will cool the coffee and dilute it to the right strength.

Yes. Use a sugar substitute and a low-carb milk alternative like unsweetened almond milk to make it keto-friendly and suitable for a low-calorie diet.

A tall glass of McDonalds iced coffee copycat recipe with a gold straw.

Our Favorite

Coffee Shop Drinks

If you tried this McDonalds Delicious Iced Coffee recipe or any other recipe on our website, please leave a star recipe rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and let us know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thank you! 🙂