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This easy vanilla iced coffee recipe features a homemade vanilla bean syrup that takes your iced coffee to the next level with its rich, aromatic vanilla flavor.

The homemade syrup is combined with cold brew coffee, french vanilla creamer or dairy-free milk, and ice transforming your regular iced coffee into a coffee shop-worthy drink perfect for any season!

a small cup of homemade vanilla iced coffee on a marble serving tray.
vanilla iced coffee

Why You’ll Love this Vanilla Iced Coffee Recipe

This recipe is incredibly delicious, simple and best of all, budget-friendly! For all my coffee lovers out there, this classic recipe is for you.

I’m not usually a fan of syrup or sweeteners in my coffee, but I make an exception for this drink. The vanilla syrup, so seemingly simple, adds tons of flavor that I just can’t get enough of.

Here’s are a few more reasons why we love this drink and you will too!

Emily’s Recipe Notes:

  • Flavor: Aromatic, sweet vanilla flavor from the homemade vanilla bean syrup. Tastes just like a drink from your favorite coffee shop!
  • Fully Customizable: Add more syrup for a sweeter coffee or more cold brew for a bolder drink. That’s the beauty of homemade iced coffee…you can make it taste exactly the way you want!
  • Quick and Easy: Once the syrup is made, this iced coffee takes less than 2 minutes to assemble, because we all need our coffee ASAP in the morning! 😆
  • Dairy-Free: Use plant-based milk and creamer to make this recipe vegan and dairy free.

Why We Love This Vanilla Iced Coffee:
I think my favorite part about this recipe is how budget-friendly it is. Why pay 5 or 6 dollars, when you can make your own coffee at home for a fraction of the price?!

Ingredients

ingredients like sugar, water and vanilla bean pods on a marble serving tray.
ingredients for the homemade vanilla simple syrup

This easy homemade vanilla iced coffee comes together with just a few simple ingredients. I’ve tried to keep it as straightforward as possible while still delivering that *premium* vanilla flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Granulated Sugar: This is for the simple syrup!
  • Real Vanilla Bean, Vanilla Bean Paste, or Pure Vanilla Extract: Infuses aromatic vanilla flavor into the syrup. Substitute store-bought vanilla coffee syrup if you don’t have time to make the homemade version.
  • Cold Brew Coffee or Brewed Drip Coffee: Provides a smooth, robust coffee base. Chilled coffee works best. You can use store-bought or make your own.
  • Oat Milk: I used oat milk for creaminess without dairy. For a nutty flavor, use almond milk instead of oat milk. Any unsweetened plant-based milk like soy will also work.
  • Ice: Can’t have iced coffee without it. Make coffee ice cubes with leftover coffee to add more flavor and to prevent the coffee from becoming watery as they melt.
  • Unsweetened Vanilla Creamer: Adds more vanilla flavor. I used Nutpods French Vanilla Creamer. I absolutely LOVE this creamer and it kind of makes this into a French vanilla iced coffee. It doesn’t have any sugar in it, so I can control how sweet the iced coffee is by adding more homemade vanilla syrup as needed. Swap the creamer for vegan heavy cream or coconut cream.

Ingredient Notes

Cold brew coffee and vanilla syrup are readily available at most grocery stores, in the refrigerated section and coffee aisle respectively. Check for major brands like Starbucks for cold brew and Torani or Monin for syrup. 

Coffee beans to brew your own can also be found in the coffee aisle. If you can’t find what you need locally, both ingredients can easily be ordered online.

My favorite creamer for this recipe:

a container of french vanilla nut pods creamer.
the best unsweetened vanilla coffee creamer…so good!

Helpful Equipment

  • Small pot or saucepan: For making the homemade vanilla syrup.
  • Glass mason jar or airtight container: For storing leftover vanilla syrup.
  • Coffee maker (or Espresso Machine): If brewing your own hot coffee to chill. A French press also works well.
  • Tall serving glass: For assembling and enjoying the iced coffee.
  • Ice cube tray: For making regular ice or coffee ice cubes!

Step-by-Step Instructions

☕️ *Ingredient Quantities are in the Recipe Card Below!*

STEP 1: Make the vanilla simple syrup. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water and vanilla bean. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

STEP 2: Once boiling, remove from heat and let sit for 15 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean and pour the syrup into a jar. Let cool completely.

STEP 3: Make the iced coffee. In a glass filled with ice, add vanilla syrup to taste. Pour in cold brew or cooled coffee.

TIP: Brew bold, strongly flavored black coffee using your preferred method like a French press or traditional coffee maker. Allow it to cool slightly at room temperature, then refrigerate overnight or for at least 8 hours.

The chilled coffee concentrate can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. Or add a double shot of espresso using an espresso maker to make this into an iced vanilla latte.

STEP 4: Add milk or dairy-free milk to taste, starting with 2-4 tablespoons. Then, add in 2-4 tablespoons of the unsweetened vanilla coffee creamer. Stir and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

This vanilla iced coffee is delicious all year round. In the morning, pour it over ice in a tall glass for a cold, creamy start to your day. It’s also a great afternoon pick-me-up or after dinner treat if you use decaf coffee.

I definitely recommend making a batch of your own vanilla syrup on the weekend, so you can quickly assemble this iced coffee anytime. Just store the syrup and combine it with cold brew and coffee creamer when your coffee craving hits.

Store leftover vanilla syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Tips from Emily’s Kitchen


  1. Add more sweetener to taste: 1/2 tbsp of the homemade vanilla syrup is about 1 pump of Starbucks syrup, so adjust the amount based on how much you prefer.
  2. Make it decadent with whipped cream: Top with dairy-free whipped topping for a fun sweet treat perfect for summer.
  3. Sub vanilla creamer for more oat milk: No creamer on hand? You can use more oat milk (or milk of choice) instead.
  4. Add more cold brew to taste: Prefer bold coffee? Add more to taste!
A pitcher pouring oat milk into a homemade vanilla iced coffee.
vanilla iced coffee

More Delicious Simple Syrup Recipes & Coffee Drinks:

an iced hazelnut latte on a marble serving tray.

Homemade Hazelnut Latte

Brown Sugar Simple Syrup for Coffee {Starbucks Inspired}

Hot or Iced Protein Coffee (Proffee Recipe)

Did You Make This Vanilla Iced Coffee Recipe?

I’d love to know! Leave a star rating and comment below!

Homemade Vanilla Iced Coffee

5 from 2 votes
Rate this Recipe
By Emily
This easy Vanilla Iced Coffee is sweet with an intense vanilla aroma thanks to the homemade vanilla simple syrup. Plus, you can easily make it dairy-free!
1 coffee
Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Servings 1 coffee
1 coffee

Ingredients

Homemade Vanilla Simple Syrup

  • 1 cup granulated cane sugar, 100g
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 vanilla bean pod, split in half, 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste or 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract

For the Vanilla Iced Coffee:

  • ½-1 cup cold brew coffee, adjust to taste
  • 1-2 tbsp vanilla simple syrup, see above or use store-bought
  • 2-3 handfuls of ice cubes
  • 1-3 tbsp NutPods Unsweetened French Vanilla Coffee Creamer, to taste – or cream of choice
  • 2-4 tbsp oat milk, or milk of choice

Instructions

Make the Vanilla Simple Syrup

  • Mix together the sugar, water and split vanilla bean pod (if using) in a small pot and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat. Stir continuously until the sugar has dissolved. 
    1 cup granulated cane sugar, 1 cup water, 1 vanilla bean pod
  • Once simmering, cook for 5-10 minutes stirring occasionally. The syrup will still be quite thin when hot.
  • Remove the pot from the heat. If using vanilla bean paste or extract instead of the vanilla pod, add it now and gently stir to combine.
  • Let the syrup cool for 5-10 minutes. Then, pour it into a heat-proof airtight glass container or jar. If using a vanilla bean pod, you can store it in the jar with the syrup. It will continue to infuse the syrup with flavor the longer it is stored.
  • Let the syrup cool completely at room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator. This prevents sugar crystals from forming. If stored properly, it will stay fresh in the fridge for 2 weeks. 

Make the Iced Coffee:

  • In a serving glass, combine the cold brew coffee with vanilla simple syrup to taste.
    ½-1 cup cold brew coffee, 1-2 tbsp vanilla simple syrup
  • Add 1-2 handfuls of ice and pour in your desired amount of unsweetened coffee creamer and oat milk. Give the coffee a stir, taste, and add more syrup as needed.
    2-3 handfuls of ice cubes, 1-3 tbsp NutPods Unsweetened French Vanilla Coffee Creamer, 2-4 tbsp oat milk
  • For the best flavor, I recommend NutPods Unsweetened French Vanilla Creamer in addition to the homemade Vanilla Syrup above!

Recipe notes

  • Add more sweetener to taste: 1/2 tbsp of the homemade vanilla syrup is about 1 pump of Starbucks syrup, so adjust the amount based on how much you prefer.
  • The syrup will thicken as it cools: If the syrup looks thin after removing from it the heat, remember that it will thicken as it cools at room temperature and in the fridge. If you'd like to make it thicker, you can add up to 1/2 cup extra sugar and simmer until it dissolves.
  • Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 85kcalProtein: 1gFat: 2g

    Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

    Course Coffee
    Cuisine American

    © Thank You Berry Much. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this blog post is encouraged and appreciated, copying or pasting full recipes to any social media, website or print is strictly prohibited.

    homemade vanilla iced coffee recipe.

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    a pinterest pin for the recipe.

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    Recipe Rating





    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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