Vegan Cold Coffee Recipe
Vegan Cold Coffee | This dairy free iced coffee is perfectly sweet, creamy and refreshing. It’s super easy to make and tastes better than any coffee shop coffee. Customize with your favourite vegan creamers and coffee sweeteners.
Vegan iced coffee is one of the most refreshing, delicious and easy to make drinks. Not only is cold coffee simply enjoyable to drink, but it’s also convenient to have in the fridge, ready to go. Cold brew coffee is a popular choice amongst coffee drinkers, but you can make vegan iced coffee with any coffee you have. I talk more about different coffee methods below.
Cold coffee was like the gateway to my coffee drinking habit. I started drinking iced coffee when I worked the opening shift at a restaurant, and I’d be drinking it throughout my shift. I even brought my own plant based oat creamer. If that doesn’t tell you what lengths I’ll go to for my iced coffee, I don’t know what will.
That’s why I promise you that I’ve perfected this vegan cold coffee recipe. The ratio is perfect, a little sweet, with just a hint of bitterness from the coffee and the creaminess of the oat cream is the cherry on top.
Dairy free iced coffee is versatile and customizable. With many dairy free milk and cream alternatives, such as oat, almond and soy based, and a range of different sweeteners, from sugars to flavoured syrups, you can tailor your iced coffee to suit your preferences and experiment with different combinations.
My simple syrup calls for 1 tablespoon of sugar, which is a perfect starting ground. 1 tablespoon makes the coffee sweet and pretty mild in terms of bitterness. You can completely customize the sweetness to your liking.
What kind of coffee should I use for cold coffee?
What kind of coffee you use should be determined by your taste preferences, and how much time you have.
Cold brew coffee
Cold brew is concentrated coffee, so it is much stronger than your average drip coffee. You can customize how strong the finished coffee drink is by diluting it with as much water as you want. Cold brew also takes time to make, ideally between 8 and 24 hours.
Drip coffee
Drip coffee is quick and easy to make. Just make the coffee in your drip machine and let it cool to room temperature, for no more than 4 hours on the counter, then store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. There are several ground coffee types, ranging from ultra light roasts to dark roasts.
Instant coffee
Instant coffee is the fastest way to make coffee. Instant coffee has a particular taste, and is usually quite mild, which can make it a good choice for iced coffee if you don’t love strong coffee flavour. Instant coffee can be dissolved in hot or cold water. The recommended ratio of instant coffee to water is usually one teaspoon of instant coffee to one cup of water.
Other methods
Other methods for ground coffee. Similar to a drip coffee machine, you can make it ‘manually’ with a pour over carafe. Or use a French press for a deep and dark flavour.
How can I customize the sweetness?
You can use white sugar, vanilla coffee syrup, or any natural sweetener like coconut sugar, honey or maple syrup. Start with one teaspoon of sweetener and adjust from there.
What plant based milk is best for vegan iced coffee?
It all comes down to personal preferences. There are a number of plant milks and creamers. If you like something thicker, choose oat creamer. If you like something thinner, choose almond milk. You can also choose flavoured plant creamers or milks. My favourite is Silk Oat Vanilla Creamer.
Ingredients
More about the ingredients in this recipe. The exact measurements are below.
Instructions
In a small bowl combine the sugar and hot water, and whisk until the sugar dissolves.
Add 4-5 ice cubes to a glass and add the simple syrup.
Add the coffee, leaving an inch from the top of the glass.
Then add your choice of plant based cream or milk. Add more or less depending on your personal preference.
Taste the cold coffee and add more simple syrup or cream if needed.
Tips for making vegan iced coffee
What to serve with cold coffee
Many people enjoy coffee with breakfast. Try pairing cold coffee with toast or oatmeal. Choose something not too sweet so it doesn’t influence the taste of the cold coffee.
Choose coffee shop favourites like vegan croissants, my vegan cashew danishes, or your favourite pastry.
For a mid day pick me up, enjoy cold coffee with your lunch.
In the evening, for a boozy coffee flavoured drink, try my dairy free white Russian.
If you love vegan coffee recipes, try my vanilla oat latte or my almond milk pumpkin spice latte.
Substitutions
Storage
Brewed coffee should stay safe in the fridge for up to 3-4 days in a sealed container. If you’ve added milk or cream, I recommend consuming it within a few hours of making it for optimal taste and consistency. If you need to store it, store it in a sealed container in the fridge for 1-2 days, and always check for signs of perishing before consuming.
FAQ’s
Yes, cold brew coffee is made with just water and ground coffee. Adding plant based cream and some sweetener will create a delicious vegan cold coffee.
Some coffee syrups are definitely vegan, while others are not. Always be sure to check the ingredients or research the product before buying.
Vegan Cold Coffee Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups coffee room tempurature or cold
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 tablespoon hot water
- 2 tablespoon vegan cream I use oat based cream for coffee
- ice cubes
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and water until the sugar dissolves.
- Add ice cubes to a glass and then add the syrup.
- Add the coffee and the cream, and stir.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This blog post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
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Erika Piper
Hey there, I’m Erika. I’ve been meat-free for over a decade.
I’m here to provide delicious and affordable plant-based recipes for anyone interested.
Whether you’re a seasoned plant-based eater or just curious about trying it out, I’m here to support you with my easy and accessible recipes.
