CopycatSpices
Dunkin' Iced Coffee
Brew smooth, perfectly sweetened Dunkin' Donuts-style iced coffee at home that tastes just like the drive-through original.
dunkin · fast-food · coffee
🕑Prep5 min
🍳Cook5 min
⏱Total10 min
🍽Serves4
⭐DifficultyEasy
Ingredients
- 1 cup medium-roast ground coffee
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup hot water (for dissolving sugar)
- 1 cup whole milk or cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Ice
Instructions
- 1.Brew the coffee strong. Use a 1:4 ratio of coffee to water — stronger than normal because the ice will dilute it. Brew using your preferred method (drip, pour-over, or French press).
- 2.Make the simple syrup. While the coffee brews, dissolve the sugar in 1/4 cup of hot water, stirring until clear. This simple syrup ensures the sugar dissolves evenly in the cold drink — granulated sugar will not dissolve in cold coffee.
- 3.Cool the coffee. Let the brewed coffee cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold. For a faster method, brew it directly over a large cup of ice.
- 4.Assemble the drinks. Fill tall glasses with ice. Pour the chilled coffee over the ice, filling each glass about three-quarters full.
- 5.Sweeten and cream. Add the simple syrup and vanilla extract to each glass, adjusting the amount to your taste. Pour in the milk or cream and stir well. Serve immediately.
Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee has a devoted following that rivals any coffeehouse chain. It is smooth, sweet, and endlessly drinkable — the kind of coffee you can sip all morning without it getting harsh or bitter. The secret is simpler than you think, and this recipe captures that signature Dunkin’ flavor perfectly.
Why This Recipe Works
Dunkin’ uses a medium-roast coffee, which produces a smoother, less acidic flavor than dark roasts. They also sweeten their drinks with liquid sugar rather than granulated, which is why the sweetness is always perfectly distributed. The simple syrup in this recipe replicates that technique. Brewing the coffee stronger than normal compensates for the dilution from ice.
Pro Tips
- Medium-roast beans are the key to the Dunkin’ flavor profile. Dark roasts will taste too bitter and bold.
- Make a large batch of coffee and simple syrup at the beginning of the week for instant iced coffees all week long.
- For a Dunkin’-style flavor swirl, add 2 tablespoons of caramel, mocha, or hazelnut syrup instead of plain simple syrup.
- Use whole milk for the creamiest result, or switch to oat milk for a popular dairy-free option.
