Caramel Iced Coffee Recipe

This is a straightforward homemade version of McDonald’s Caramel Iced Coffee — cold brew, sweet caramel syrup, and creamy half & half in one tall glass of icy joy. Takes two minutes, zero lines, and honestly tastes just like the real thing (if not better).

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Quick Summary

• Prep time: 2 mins
• Cook time: 0 mins
• Flavor: sweet, creamy, coffee-forward
• Great for: mornings, afternoons, caffeine cravings

Why I Like This Recipe

I was late. Needed caffeine. No time to wait in a drive-thru behind 5 SUVs ordering smoothies. I threw this together and… wow. Cold, sweet, and better than McD’s. Plus I didn’t even change outta pajamas. 10/10 would sip again.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp caramel syrup (homemade or bottled)
• 8 oz cold brew or cold coffee
• 1 cup ice
• 2 tbsp half & half (or any creamer you like)

How To Make Caramel Iced Coffee

1. Syrup first: Drizzle caramel down the inside of your glass if you’re feelin’ artsy. Or just dump it in.
2. Add the coffee: Cold brew works best. Regular chilled coffee is fine too.
3. Toss in the ice: Fill that glass up. Go for it.
4. Add creamer: Half & half or whatever you’ve got in the fridge.
5. Stir + taste: Adjust caramel if you need more sweet. Sip it slow or fast. Up to you.

Tips for Success

• Don’t skip the drizzle down the glass. It’s the little things.
• Use strong coffee. Ice waters it down.
• Taste before adding more syrup — it sweetens fast.
• Want it extra creamy? Add a splash more half & half.

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge: Not really a thing. Make it fresh.
• Cold brew: You can batch that ahead and store up to a week.
• Syrup: Store-bought or homemade, keeps in fridge for weeks.

FAQs

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

• Using hot coffee → ice melts fast, waters it down. Chill first.
• Too much caramel → it gets really sweet. Add slowly.
• Weak coffee → use strong brew or espresso to hold up to syrup + milk.
• Not enough ice → sad lukewarm coffee. Go heavy on the cubes.
• Skipping the taste test → always taste before you sip and regret.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 196 kcal
• Total Fat: 0.4g
• Saturated Fat: 0.3g
• Cholesterol: 2mg
• Sodium: 176mg
• Potassium: 112mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 49g
• Sugars: 47g
• Protein: 1g
• Calcium: 55mg