McDonald’s Iced Coffee

McDonald’s Iced Coffee is sweet, creamy, and simple at home. Save money and make this delicious iced coffee drink with brewed coffee, homemade simple syrup, and cream.

copycat McDonald's iced coffee drink.


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What Makes a McDonald’s Iced Coffee So Refreshing? 

Sometimes, it seems like the whole coffee culture thing has gone a bit too far. It is nice that some people have resisted the pull for new, more elaborate coffee options.

McDonald’s Iced Coffee isn’t fancy. The coffee’s not cold-brewed, nor are there any unnecessary garnishes. It’s just their premium roast coffee served sweet and light. This is the one iced coffee to choose when you want something delicious without any frills.

Why You Should Try This Recipe? 

This is a basic recipe that requires no fancy equipment or brewing techniques. It is inexpensive and pretty much foolproof to make. Mix up a big batch and keep it in your fridge, and you’ll always be able to satisfy your iced coffee craving. You can save a ton of money making your iced coffee at home. You aren’t limited to what flavors you want to add to this coffee to customize to your preference.

Is the McCafe Brand Coffee Sold in the Grocery Store the Same as What You Get at McDonald’s?

The overwhelming online opinion is that the Premium McCafe Roast available in grocery stores is similar but not the same as the coffee McDonald’s serves. McDonald’s uses high-quality Arabica beans, so they are full of flavor.

McDonald’s Iced Coffee Ingredients

For rich simple syrup, you’ll need:

  • Sugar
  • Water

For preparing McDonald’s iced coffee recipe, you’ll need:

  • Brewed coffee, cooled
  • Rich simple syrup 
  • Half & half 

Some people claim that McDonald’s uses double-strength coffee for their iced coffee. Try making it both ways and taste and see which one you prefer. 

McDonald's iced coffee ingredients.

How to Make McDonald’s Iced Coffee

To prepare the rich simple syrup:

  1. Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
  2. Stir until the sugar dissolves fully. 
  3. Let the rich simple syrup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container and storing it in the fridge.

Note: This recipe makes multiple servings of rich simple syrup. The extra will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.  

To brew the coffee for McDonald’s Iced Coffee:

  1. Brew a pot of coffee as usual, or make a double-strength brew by using twice the coffee grounds as usual for the same amount of water.
  2. Let the coffee cool on the counter and then chill in the fridge before using. 

To prepare the copycat iced coffee from McDonald’s:

  1. Put ice cubes in a 16-ounce serving glass.
  2. Add a tablespoon of the rich simple homemade syrup.
  3. Fill the glass with cold coffee, leaving enough room for half & half.
ice, coffee, and simple syrup in a glass.
  1. Add as much half & half as you want. 
adding half and half to iced coffee.
  1. Stir and serve with a straw.
copycat McDonald's iced coffee with a straw.

What To Serve It With 

Iced coffee from McDonald’s is a refreshing drink to sip while eating a light snack like a bagel or pastry. Enjoy it as a basic iced coffee, or experiment with some of the variations below. 

Recipe Variations

Making this recipe at home means you really can have it your way. Here are a few suggestions to customize your iced coffee:

  • Make the recipe with different types of coffee, including decaf and flavored roasts. 
  • Use non-dairy milk or heavy whipping cream in your coffee. Try adding sweetened condensed milk to create Thai Iced Coffee.
  • For lighter versions, use light cream, whole milk, 2%, 1%, or nonfat milk.
  • Go with cold-brewed coffee for a beverage with much less acidity.
  • Choose your favorite flavored syrup like vanilla syrup or spike your drink with Bailey’s Irish Cream or Rum Chata.
  • Add some chocolate syrup to make it an iced mocha coffee.
  • Make a pitcher by brewing a strong pot of coffee with your coffee maker and letting it cool. Pour 1 cup of simple syrup, 5 to 6 cups of cooled coffee, and 1 cup half and half into an ice-filled pitcher. Use a large spoon to stir and the coffee mixture.

Frequently Asked Questions About McDonald’s Iced Coffee

How Much Caffeine Is in a McDonald’s Iced Coffee?

According to Caffeine Informer, a small iced coffee has 94 mg of caffeine; a medium coffee has 133 mg of caffeine; a large coffee has 200 mg of caffeine.

Does McDonald’s Serve Iced Coffee All Day?

McDonald’s Iced Coffee is available all day. Just how fresh it is, well, that is another question. 

Does McDonald’s Have Decaf Iced Coffee?

Decaf is not an official menu item at McDonald’s, but some customers claim that you may get lucky if you ask the manager. However, there’s a good chance that the decaf you get will just be stale regular decaf and not double-brewed like the regular iced coffee.

Can You Customize a McDonald’s Iced Coffee?

Yes, you can order McCafe Iced Coffee without cream or sugar, and you can add your choice of Caramel, Hazelnut, French Vanilla, or Sugar-Free French Vanilla syrups. 

See our recommended coffee products to make coffee-house quality drinks at home.

More McDonald’s Copycat Recipes

Favorite Iced Coffee Drinks

Check out more of my easy drink recipes and the best copycat McDonald’s recipes on CopyKat!

copycat McDonald's iced coffee drink.

McDonald’s Iced Coffee

You can make delicious McDonald's iced coffee at home with this easy copycat recipe.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Iced Coffee, McDonald’s Recipes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 223kcal

Ingredients

Simple Syrup

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup water

Drink

  • ice
  • 1 cup brewed coffee cooled
  • 3 tablespoons simple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons half and half

Instructions

Simple Syrup

  • Bring the sugar and water to boil in a pot, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves.

Drink

  • Fill a glass with ice.
  • Add the cooled coffee and 3 tablespoons of simple syrup.
  • Top with half and half and use a bar spoon to stir.

Nutrition

Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 67mg | Potassium: 213mg | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 159IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 2mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. tdchinges

    5 stars
    I’m a sucker for iced coffee and the recipe you shared helped me so much, it took very little time to make,
    But I really put my heart into making this cup of coffee

5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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