The McDonald’s menu is iconic. Sure, it’s mostly known for its BigMac, Egg McMuffins and what very well may be the most addictive French fries in all of recorded history. You wouldn’t expect anyone to tell you their favorite menu item is McDonald’s iced coffee, yet it’s something millions of people drink every single morning. Just because this caffeinated pick-me-up isn’t buzzed about doesn’t mean it’s not a secret star of the McDonald’s menu!
If you can’t get yourself out of the house to get to the Golden Arches, you’ll be happy to know you can make a copycat McDonald’s iced coffee in your kitchen with four simple ingredients: coffee, ice, cream and simple syrup.
What makes McDonald’s iced coffee taste so good?
The secret behind the signature taste of McDonald’s iced coffee isn’t just the chain’s proprietary Arabica beans—it’s the ratio of bitter coffee to sweet simple syrup and luscious light cream. You can ask for your coffee black or without the syrup, of course, but if you order McDonald’s iced coffee straight off the menu, you’ll get something to sip that’s served light and sweet. It’s just as delicious first thing in the morning as it is for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Copycat McDonald’s Iced Coffee Ingredients
- Strongly brewed coffee
- Light cream or full-fat, non-dairy creamer
- Simple syrup, or a flavored simple syrup like caramel, hazelnut or French vanilla
- Ice
Directions
Step 1: Make the coffee base
Pour the cream, simple syrup and about 1/2 cup of coffee into a 16-ounce glass. Stir well until fully combined.
Step 2: Add ice
Add enough ice cubes to fill the cup almost all the way.
Step 3: Add the coffee
Pour in the rest of the coffee until the glass is almost full, then gently stir with a spoon or straw.
McDonald’s Iced Coffee Variations
McDonald’s offers five different flavors of simple syrup to flavor its iced coffee: classic, caramel, hazelnut, French vanilla and sugar-free vanilla. You can make McDonald’s coffee your own by adding your favorite flavor of store bought syrup, or try making your own! We love this recipe for sweet butter pecan syrup, and we like using this gingerbread syrup in our iced coffee during the holidays.
McDonald’s Iced Coffee Tips
TMB Studio
Can you make copycat McDonald’s iced coffee ahead of time?
In a word, yes. To make a large batch that will last for days, simply mix the following in a pitcher. You can scale this recipe up or down as needed, depending on the size of your container.
- 6 cups strongly brewed coffee
- 3/4 cup light cream or full-fat, non-dairy creamer
- 1/4 cup simple or flavored syrup
Once thoroughly mixed, the coffee can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. When ready to serve, fill your glass up halfway with ice, pour the pre-made coffee in, add a straw and enjoy.
How do you store McDonald’s iced coffee?
Keep McDonald’s iced coffee in the refrigerator in a sealed container, like a pitcher or lidded carafe.
Copycat McDonald's Iced Coffee
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Prep Time5 min
Yield1 serving.
Ingredients
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup
- Ice cubes
- 3 tablespoons half-and-half cream
Directions
- In a tall glass, combine coffee and syrup. Add ice to fill the glass three-fourths full. Stir in cream.
Nutrition Facts
1 serving: 120 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 23mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
Author
Allison T.S. Robicelli
Formerly the chef-owner of Robicelli’s Bakery, Allison is a James Beard-nominated food writer. At Taste of Home, she tests kitchen tools with the hands-on insight she gained from her time as a professional chef. Her cookbook “Robicelli’s: A Love Story, With Cupcakes” was published in 2013 and appeared on several Best Cookbooks of the Year l...
The best thing about this copycat recipe? No waiting at the drive-thru before work! Plus, you can make this by the batch and pour yourself a glass as you're heading out the door. —Allison Robicelli, Baltimore, Maryland
