Ina Garten’s Dreamy Vanilla Cold-brewed Iced Coffee Recipe

Vanilla cold-brewed iced coffee transforms ordinary caffeine into an extraordinary sensory experience that delights coffee enthusiasts.

Smooth and rich, this refreshing drink offers a sophisticated twist on traditional brewing methods.

Cold brewing eliminates harsh acidic notes, creating a mellow and sublime beverage.

Brewing overnight allows complex taste elements to develop naturally and gracefully.

Carefully selected ingredients elevate this simple drink into a gourmet treat that feels simultaneously elegant and accessible.

Cold Brew Variations for Coffee Lovers

• Caramel Cafe Chill: Swap vanilla extract with rich caramel syrup, adding a smooth, buttery sweetness to the cold brew. Drizzle extra caramel sauce on top for an indulgent touch.
• Spiced Moroccan Splash: Incorporate ground cardamom and cinnamon during brewing for a warm, aromatic coffee experience. Garnish with a sprinkle of ground nutmeg before serving.
• Coconut Cream Dream: Replace regular milk with creamy coconut milk, creating a tropical and refreshing cold brew variation. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes for extra texture and flavor.
• Lavender Honey Infusion: Add a few drops of lavender extract and a tablespoon of local honey during the brewing process. Create a sophisticated and soothing coffee drink that balances floral and sweet notes.

Coffee Break Close-Out

Ina Garten’s vanilla cold-brewed iced coffee whispers summer sophistication with minimal effort.

Coffee enthusiasts discover pure refreshment through this simple brewing method.

Chilled liquid gold emerges from overnight steeping, promising silky smoothness in each glass.

Rich vanilla notes elevate classic cold brew into a refined beverage experience.

Sophisticated palates will appreciate complex layers of flavor without harsh acidity.

Grab those ingredients, craft this magnificent brew, share your masterpiece on social media, spark conversations with fellow coffee lovers, and delight in creating something extraordinary together.

Why Cold Brew Vanilla Coffee Hits Different

• Brew with Ease: This recipe offers two simple methods for cold brewing coffee, making it accessible for coffee lovers of all skill levels. Whether using a coffee cone or a CoffeeSock, the process is straightforward and requires minimal equipment.
• Customize Your Cool: The beauty of this vanilla cold-brewed iced coffee lies in its flexibility. Adjust milk and sugar to your personal taste, creating a perfectly personalized summer beverage that suits your sweet tooth or preference for a more robust coffee flavor.
• Smooth Summer Sipper: Cold brewing eliminates the bitterness often found in traditional iced coffee, resulting in an incredibly smooth and refreshing drink. The overnight steeping process extracts rich coffee flavors without harsh acidic notes, delivering a silky-smooth, cool caffeine kick perfect for hot days.
• Vanilla Twist Delight: The addition of vanilla extract transforms this from a basic iced coffee to a gourmet-style beverage. This simple ingredient adds a subtle, sophisticated sweetness that elevates the entire drinking experience, making it feel like a special treat rather than just a typical morning drink.

What Goes Into Vanilla Cold Brew

• Coffee: Rich, medium-roast ground coffee works best for smooth cold brewing with deep flavor notes.
• Cold Tap Water: Pure water essential for extracting clean coffee taste without mineral interference.

• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, sweet undertone that complements the coffee's rich profile.

• Milk, Sugar: Customizable components for personal taste preference and desired sweetness level.
• Ice: Crucial for chilling and maintaining the refreshing cold brew temperature.

How to Make Iced Coffee at Home

Step 1: Gather Brewing Essentials

• Coffee grounds
• Cold tap water
• Large jar or pitcher
• Coffee cone
• Coffee filter
• Vanilla extract
• Milk
• Sugar
• Ice

Combine coffee grounds with cold tap water in a jar, cover, and refrigerate overnight.

Step 2: Filter Coffee Mixture

Place coffee filter in cone and slowly pour the coffee mixture through, allowing complete drainage.

Step 3: Add Flavor Boost

Stir vanilla extract into the filtered coffee.

Step 4: Create Refreshing Drink

Fill glasses halfway with ice.

Pour cold coffee over ice.

Add milk and sugar according to personal preference.

Stir and enjoy immediately.

Method 2: Using CoffeeSock Brewing Technique

Step 1: Prepare CoffeeSock

• Coffee grounds
• CoffeeSock
• Large jar
• Cold tap water
• Vanilla extract
• Milk
• Sugar
• Ice

Position CoffeeSock in jar, folding top over neck.

Spoon coffee grounds into sock.

Wet grounds with small amount of cold water.

Wait 60 seconds.

Step 2: Submerge and Steep

Tie CoffeeSock securely.

Submerge in jar.

Fill jar completely with cold tap water.

Close lid.

Refrigerate for 12 hours.

Step 3: Extract Coffee

Remove CoffeeSock.

Squeeze out all coffee.

Discard used grounds.

Step 4: Serve Chilled Beverage

Stir vanilla extract into coffee.

Fill glasses with ice.

Pour coffee over ice.

Add milk and sugar to taste.

Stir and serve immediately.

Tips for Smooth Cold Brew Every Time

• Grind Coffee Perfectly: Select coarse grounds specifically for cold brew to prevent bitterness and ensure a smooth, rich flavor profile.
• Master Brewing Time: Allow the full 12-hour steeping process to extract deep, complex coffee notes without harsh acidic undertones.
• Strain with Precision: Use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove grounds completely, creating a clean and sediment-free cold brew.
• Customize Your Drink: Experiment with different milk options like whole, almond, or oat milk to find your ideal coffee companion.
• Serve Ice-Cold: Prep chilled glasses beforehand to keep your coffee refreshingly cool and maintain its delicious temperature from first sip to last.

Keep Your Cold Brew Tasting Fresh

• Freezing Method: Transform leftover coffee into flavor-packed ice cubes by pouring the cooled mixture into an ice cube tray. Pop these coffee cubes into future iced coffee drinks or smoothies for an extra caffeine kick without diluting the original flavor.
• Mason Jar Storage: Pour the cooled coffee into clean mason jars with tight-fitting lids for perfect preservation. These glass containers keep the coffee fresh, prevent flavor absorption from other foods, and make grab-and-go mornings a breeze.
• Flavor Preservation Technique: Add a small piece of vanilla bean or cinnamon stick to the storage container to maintain and enhance the original coffee's aromatic profile. This smart trick helps retain the rich vanilla essence even after a few days of refrigeration.

Ina Garten Vanilla Cold-brewed Iced Coffee Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 13 hours 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s vanilla cold-brewed iced coffee delivers smooth, rich caffeine perfection with minimal effort. Chilled, creamy, and subtly sweet, this simple recipe offers you a refreshing summer drink that elevates morning coffee into a delightful gourmet experience.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups coarsely ground Colombian coffee (5 ounces | 142 grams)

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Serving Components:

• Ice
• Whole milk
• Sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. For the coffee cone method, combine ground coffee with 1.9 liters () of cold tap water in a large jar or pitcher. Secure the container with a lid and allow the mixture to steep in the refrigerator overnight, developing a rich and smooth cold brew profile.
2. After the steeping period, position a coffee filter inside a large coffee cone over a clean container. Carefully pour the coffee mixture through the filter, allowing the liquid to drain completely while capturing the grounds.
3. Discard the used coffee grounds from the filter, ensuring a clean extraction. Gently stir vanilla extract into the filtered cold brew to enhance its aromatic complexity.
4. Prepare serving glasses by filling them halfway with ice cubes, creating a chilled foundation for the beverage. Slowly pour the cold brew over the ice, maintaining the drink’s temperature and refreshing quality.
5. Personalize the cold brew by adding milk and sugar to individual taste preferences. Stir thoroughly to incorporate the additional ingredients, creating a smooth and balanced flavor profile.
6. Serve the cold brew immediately, ensuring it remains ice cold for maximum enjoyment and optimal taste experience.
7. Alternatively, for the CoffeeSock method, place the CoffeeSock into a clean jar, folding the top over the jar’s neck to secure it.
8. Add ground coffee to the sock, then introduce 240 milliliters () of cold tap water to moisten the grounds. Allow the coffee to bloom for approximately 60 seconds, releasing initial flavors.
9. Carefully tie the CoffeeSock as instructed, then submerge it completely in the jar. Fill the remaining space with cold tap water, seal the container, and refrigerate for 12 hours.
10. After steeping, remove the CoffeeSock from the jar, gently squeezing to extract maximum flavor while discarding the used grounds.
11. Incorporate vanilla extract into the extracted cold brew, stirring to distribute the flavor evenly.
12. Complete the preparation by following the same serving steps as the coffee cone method: fill glasses with ice, pour cold brew, and customize with milk and sugar to taste.

Notes

• Cold brewing transforms harsh coffee acids, creating a smoother, less bitter drink that’s gentler on your stomach.
• Coarse grounds work best for extracting rich flavors without releasing unwanted bitter compounds during the lengthy steeping process.
• Patience matters significantly – longer brewing times extract deeper, more complex coffee notes that make cold brew uniquely delicious.
• Filtering slowly prevents sediment from clouding your final refreshing beverage, ensuring a clean and crisp drinking experience.
• Customize your cold brew by experimenting with milk, sweeteners, and serving temperatures to match your personal taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 13 hours
• Category: Drinks, Breakfast
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup (16 oz)
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 32g
• Sodium: 55mg
• Fat: 3g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 33g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 10mg