Make The Best Iced Coffee Using A Keurig (A Step By Step Guide)

Last Updated on February 4, 2022 by John Moretti

Love the thought of a creamy, iced coffee but hate the price tag at your local coffee shop? Then you’ve landed on the right page! This article will give you a step-by-step guide on how to make the best iced coffee with a Keurig machine.

Do not panic, as the process is a lot simpler than it may seem. 

Guide to Make The Best Iced Coffee Using A Keurig

Iced coffee is the perfect go-to beverage when in need of a quick pick-me-up. While it is best enjoyed in the heat of the summer months, iced coffee can be enjoyed any time of the year regardless of the weather. 

Now more than ever, plenty of us have to work from home. So why not invest in a Keurig coffee machine to treat yourself to a delicious iced coffee throughout the day. 

This article will guide you through the steps on how to make the best iced coffee using a Keurig. You’ll be a professional in no time at all!

Ready to find out more? Let’s go!

How to Make Iced Coffee Using A Keurig

iced coffee

Iced coffee is the drink of the moment. It is near impossible to log onto social media without seeing pictures of perfectly preened individuals out and about with an iced coffee in hand. 

Iced coffee is a drink we usually associate with the summer months. However, you’ll be glad to know that it can be enjoyed whatever the weather or time of day!

Making iced coffee using a Keurig is pretty straightforward. Read our step-by-step guide to find out how. 

You will need:

  • A Keurig coffee machine
  • A tall glass (that can withstand high temperatures)
  • K-cup of your choice
  • Ice cube tray
  • Syrups/sweeteners/crema (optional)

Here is how to make the iced coffee:

  • Step #1 – Fill your Keurig machine with water and turn it on before inserting a K-cup of your choice. 
  • Step #2 – Place your cup on the Keurig, making sure it is temperature-resistant if made out of glass. Place your desired amount of ice in a separate cup and keep it to one side. Ice adds volume to a cup, so it is best to keep it separate to avoid the brew overflowing.
  • Step #3 – Choose your brew and press the button to begin the process. 
  • Step #4 – Once the cup is full, pour the brew over your ice. Finish off by stirring in any milk, syrup, or sweeteners. 

Ideally, it is best to let the coffee sit with the ice for a couple of minutes before consuming. This way, ice has a chance to cool the coffee for a more enjoyable beverage. 

And there you have it! Making an iced coffee using a Keurig really is that simple. I recommend using the strongest K-cups and minimal brewing sizes to ensure the coffee is as concentrated as possible. The ice and the milk will help to dilute the blend, so it doesn’t taste bitter. 

Keurig K-Elite for Iced Coffee

The Keurig K-Elite is the only Keurig with an ‘Iced’ function. Using this function couldn’t be easier. 

Another thing to mention is that the Keurig K-Elite includes temperature control and a water tank that can hold 75 ounces. This is one of the largest tanks across the Keurig range of machines. 

Here is what you need to do:

  • Step #1 – Ensure there is enough water in the reservoir before inserting a K-cup of your choice. 
  • Step #2 – Fill a temperature-resistant glass with ice (a Pyrex glass is most suitable) and place it in the Keurig.
  • Step #3 – Press the ‘iced’ button and watch your cup fill with delicious coffee. Once full, feel free to add cream or syrup to sweeten your iced coffee.

The Keurig K-Elite ‘iced’ function does not mean the coffee entering your cup is cold. The science behind this technology ensures that the coffee is so concentrated that the added ice and milk will not dilute the flavor. 

Best K-Cups to Use for Iced Coffee

pods

Generally, you are free to use any K-cup you fancy, and there are no rules. Espresso pods or dark roast pods work best as the coffee is more concentrated, creating a stronger brew. 

Flavored pods often taste better in hot coffees. It is a good idea to test this out yourself to find which flavors and pods you like best. Who are we to judge? Here are a few options to get you started:

  • Starbucks Sumatra
  • Eight O’clock Dark Italian Roast Coffee
  • Cinnabon Classic Cinnamon Roll
  • New England Coffee Blueberry Cobbler
  • Krispy Kreme Classic Coffee
  • Tim Hortons Original Blend Coffee

Tips to Make Your Iced Coffee Taste Even Better

Iced coffee tastes delicious using the above methods. If you are a die-hard iced coffee enthusiast, you may benefit from the following tips. 

1. Use Coffee Cubes

Instead of filling your ice cube trays with water, why not fill them with fresh coffee? This will stop your coffee from becoming too ‘watery’ or diluted because it won’t be ice melting – it will be coffee! 

2. Ditch the Glass

To keep your iced coffee cooler for longer, use a thermos instead of a glass to prolong your sipping experience!

3. Replace Milk with Non-Dairy Alternatives

Try adding non-dairy alternatives such as oat or soya milk to your iced coffee for a creamier taste. 

4. The Key is in the Coffee

Stronger coffee, particularly dark roasts, will give your iced coffee more flavor as ice and milk will dilute the brew to a certain degree. 

5. Enhance with Added Extras

Why not spice things up by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream to your iced coffee? 

You could also add a sprinkle of cinnamon or top with shavings of chocolate. While we don’t recommend doing this every time you make iced coffee, a little treat every now and again doesn’t hurt!

Keurig K-Supreme

The Keurig K-Supreme is similar to the Keurig K-Elite in that they both have an ‘iced’ function. The difference lies in the way the coffee is streamed from the device to the cup. 

Most coffee machines use single-stream technology where one stream of water is produced to make the blend. This can often lead to the coffee tasting rather bland and unsatisfactory. 

The Keurig K-Supreme uses multi-stream technology. This is thought to produce coffee that is rich and flavorful. This machine also has a ‘strong brew’ control which is effective when making iced coffee as it offers a more concentrated blend of coffee. 

Keurig K-Cafe

The Keurig K-Cafe upstages both the Keurig K-Elite and the Keurig K-Supreme as it has a built-in milk frother. If you are a true coffee connoisseur, you will know that any coffee tastes better when the milk has been frothed. 

And it gets better. The milk frother can be used for both hot and cold drinks meaning your iced coffees are about to get a glow up. 

Cold Brew Coffee Using A Keurig

Keurig coffee machines are designed only to produce hot coffee. At the moment, there is no function for Keurig machines to produce cold coffee beverages.

The rising popularity of chilled coffee drinks does mean there is a gap in the market for cold brewing machines. Who knows, maybe one day (hopefully not too far away), Keurig will answer our prayers and release one! 

The beauty of Keurig machines is that they are quick and easy to use. Cold-brewed coffee takes a long time to brew, so it would be interesting to see how such a machine would work. 

Iced Coffee and Cold Brewed Coffee: What’s the Difference?

cold brew

Sure, both beverages are cold. But how are they different?

Iced coffee is made with coffee that has been blended with hot water and then cooled down. The hot water releases flavors and compounds within the coffee before it is poured over ice which then cools down to become an iced coffee. 

Cold-brewed coffee is the product of ground coffee that is drowned in cold water and left for a long period of time. Leaving coffee to brew in cold water can take as long as 12 hours! 

The end product is a sweet-tasting coffee with low acidity. Cold-brewed coffee contains a high amount of caffeine, making it a great drink to start the day with!

Iced Coffee Pros and Cons

While the pros and cons are not the be-all and end-all of the iced coffee, they are worth knowing about and may not affect you in the slightest! Read on to find out more. 

Pros

1. Less Acidity

Iced coffee has less acidity than hot coffee and is gentler on the stomach. This may prevent the urge we get when we need to ‘go’ (if you know what we mean) after drinking our morning coffee. 

2. Drinking is easier

You don’t have to wait long to take your first sip. You can make an iced coffee and be on your way without the worry of burning your tongue or spilling a hot drink. 

3. Fewer Calories

Iced coffee with a splash of milk and no added ingredients is extremely low in calories. This is a bonus when compared to other hot beverages such as creamy cappuccinos and hot chocolates.

Cons 

1. Have to be Careful with Ice

It is sometimes difficult to get the ice to coffee ratio right, resulting in a watery, tasteless beverage.

2. Pods are Expensive

This can be a problem for all coffee machines, considering how often you use them. Pods can be expensive, so this is good to have in mind when thinking of purchasing a Keurig or any other machine. 

FAQs

Take a look at our FAQ section to see if we can answer any of your iced coffee dilemmas. 

Can I Use Coffee Pods Instead of K-Cups?

K-cups are designed to be used in Keurig machines. A generic coffee pod simply won’t fit inside it. So be sure to stock up on your K-cups! 

What K-Cups Do I Need to Purchase to Make Iced Coffee with?

Iced coffee can be made with any K-cup. It may be a good idea to put your iced coffee skills to the test and experiment with different flavors.

How Much Ice Should I Use?

ice

There is no limit when it comes to the amount of ice in an iced coffee. In our opinion, the colder the coffee, the better! 

The only problem with ice cubes is that once they melt, they add water to the blend. This can lead to a bland-tasting drink regardless of added ingredients. As discussed above, filling ice cube trays with freshly brewed coffee and freezing means that once they melt, you are left with coffee. 

How Long Do I Need to Wait Before Taking A Sip?

Giving the coffee a minute or two to settle after pouring in is more than enough time to wait before taking a sip. 

You don’t want to take a sip too early as the coffee will be lukewarm and may taste like a hot coffee just getting cold!

What Kind of Syrup is Best to Add to My Iced Coffee?

The great thing about iced coffee is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on syrups to make it taste good – because it already tastes great! Store-bought syrup such as chocolate, vanilla, or caramel will add sweet overtones to your iced coffee.