comment icon 18 more comments And you are going to be so very excited that you have more of that homemade vanilla mint simple syrup just hanging out in your fridge now so you can be your own little fancy-drink barista any old day of the week.
In This Post: Everything You Need To Make This Iced Coffee
How to make cold brew The low-down on vanilla bean Variations on the vanilla mint syrup Making vs. buying oat milk Products we love for making iced coffee What to pair with iced coffee Frequently asked questions
First, Let’s Make Some Cold Brew
We like to start this one with a cold brew rather than just a cooled-down strong cup of regular coffee (although that certainly work too in a pinch!). It takes a little more time and has a teeny bit more caffeine (wheeee!) than regular but it is absolutely worth it! Cold brew also tends to be more smooth and a little less acidic because it is steeped in cold water rather than brewed hot. It can sometimes taste a little sweeter, depending on the beans you’re working with. For a full rundown of all things cold brew, check out this post! But real quick, here’s the general how-to: Use what you need for this creamy iced dreamboat and then store the rest of that cold brew in your fridge for up to a week. (But again, you’re a barista now so make sure to slap a “THIS IS FOR MY BUSINESS” label on it in the fridge so no one else drinks it and ruins the rest of your days.)
The Low-Down On Vanilla Bean
Could you use vanilla extract here? For sure. But the true intensity and pureness of flavor that you get from using a whole vanilla bean is honestly unmatched. The absolutely intoxicating scent, the little bean flecks swirling around in your cup, ugh…just so good. If you’re going to use a whole bean, and again, we really hope you do, you’ll simply cut the pod carefully down the side and then scrape out all those perfect little vanilla seeds with the tip of your knife and add them to the sauce pan along with the pod itself. Easy peasy!
Syrup Variations To Live Your Best Barista/Bartender Life
You should absolutely try this warm vanilla and fresh bright mint syrup combo in your iced coffee, but now that you’re flavor syrup pro, you have some options! You could start by:
Leaving out the vanilla for a plain mint syrup that could be used for other summer drinks, like a mojito, mule or minty lemonade. Get some lime and ginger involved with some of those and now you’re in business. Oh oh! You’ll also have it on hand to make this delicious cozy peppermint mocha come fall/winter! Yesssss. Leaving out the mint and going straight and superb vanilla syrup! You could also splash that into other lovelies like maybe this oatmilk honey latte. Or you could start other flavor combos with it like adding in some lavender (affiliate link) for something special?
It keeps well in the fridge, so you can really get your syrup game going and then just keep jazzing up your drinks a couple tablespoons at a time!
Oat Milk: To Make Or Buy?
Oat milks is a definite go-to when it comes to plant-based milks for us. It’s thicker, super creamy, the flavor is really mild and the general oat-iness is just so delicious. ALDI Friendly Farms brand oat milk is pretty top notch in terms of creamy richness, but Oatly, Chobani and Forager are also great! If you are really looking to win some medals, you could also MAKE YOUR OWN oat milk and for that we bow down to you. Actually, it’s much easier and quicker to make than other nut milks. Here’s a great how-to post if you’re looking to make your own!
Your Iced Coffee Starter Pack
We’ve talked about you having your own personal little coffee shop in your kitchen, so here’s a fun list to get you ready to get your iced brew on this summer: Look at you, you at-home barista!
Perfect Pairings For Iced Coffee
Now that your bevvie is in hand, let’s get you a snacker, shall we? ‘Tis summer after all and you deserve it! You’re obviously not going to go wrong with a slice of lush lemon poppyseed bread or the truly tears-worthy pistachio loaf. Do you want some of the most delicious blueberry pancakes or springy blueberry lemon bread with it, or hello, can we get a breakfast crunchwrap in here? Go ultimate breakfast sandwich or go home! Except that you already are home. Making your own creamy, sweet, perfect iced coffees like a dang barista-champion.
Other A+ Coffee Drink Recipes
Oatmilk Honey Latte Unbelievably Good Cashew Coffee Homemade Peppermint Mocha Milk and Honey Iced Coffee
5 from 6 reviews
1 1/2 cups water 1 1/2 cups sugar fresh mint (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup mint leaves, or one .75 ounce package) vanilla bean (optional – see notes)
My Ideal Vanilla Mint Iced Coffee:
1/2 cup strong cold brew 1 cup oatmilk, or milk of choice 2–3 tablespoons mint syrup a couple of ice cubes
This syrup also makes for a delicious hot coffee – I like to brew strong coffee, load up with half and half or heavy cream to make it nice and rich, and then add a couple tablespoons of syrup. It’s a bit more coffee-forward and it’s more of a slow sipper and less of a straw drinker, like the iced coffee, but perfect for colder or rainy mornings.
