Sharing is caring!

If you’re spending $5–7 every morning on an iced coffee, those little purchases can add up fast. Between the cost of the drink, waiting in the drive-thru, and the extra stop before work or school, your morning coffee routine can become surprisingly expensive and time-consuming.

I first discovered this Big Batch Homemade Iced Coffee from Tina Cooks on TikTok (@chambersandcharm) and immediately knew I had to try it for myself. As someone who loves finding simple ways to save both time and money in the kitchen, this make-ahead iced coffee was right up my alley. I made a few adjustments to fit my taste, and now it’s become one of my favorite ways to enjoy coffee at home without the daily trip to the coffee shop.

Big Batch Homemade Iced Coffee

Instead of brewing coffee every morning or making another stop on my way out the door, I spend just a few minutes making one gallon of creamy, sweetened make-ahead iced coffee that stays in my refrigerator all week. Everything is already mixed together—the coffee, sugar, flavored creamer, and milk—so every morning I simply fill a glass with ice, pour my coffee, and I’m done.

Whether you’re trying to save money, simplify your mornings, or recreate your favorite coffee shop drinks at home, this homemade iced coffee recipe is one you’ll want to keep stocked in your refrigerator.

How Much Money Can You Save with Homemade Iced Coffee?

One of the biggest reasons I love making this gallon iced coffee recipe is the savings.

A gallon makes about eight 16-ounce servings.

Buying eight iced coffees from a coffee shop can easily cost between $40 and $56, depending on where you go and what you order.

Making this recipe at home costs approximately $6.50–$7.50 for the entire gallon, which works out to around 80–95 cents per serving.

That means if you normally buy one iced coffee every weekday, you could save approximately $35–50 every week, or well over $1,800 each year.

Even better?

You never have to sit in another drive-thru line just to get your morning caffeine.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• ½ cup instant coffee
• 1½ cups sugar (or sweetener of your choice)
• 2 cups hot water
• ½ cup flavored coffee creamer of your choice
• Approximately ¾ gallon milk of your choice

I used Chobani S’mores Creamer, but you can use almost any flavor you enjoy.

Some delicious options include:

• French Vanilla
• Sweet Cream
• Caramel Macchiato
• Hazelnut
• Cookies & Cream
• S’mores
• Pumpkin Spice
• Peppermint Mocha

Changing the creamer gives you an entirely different homemade coffee experience without changing the recipe itself.

How to Make Big Batch Homemade Iced Coffee

• Start with a clean one-gallon container. An empty milk jug works perfectly.
• Add the instant coffee.

• Pour in the sugar.

• Add the hot water.

• Secure the lid and shake until the coffee and sugar have completely dissolved.

• Pour in the flavored coffee creamer.

• Fill the remainder of the container with your preferred milk until nearly full.

• Secure the lid and shake once more until everything is thoroughly combined.

• Refrigerate until completely chilled.
• Pour over a glass filled with ice and enjoy.

That’s it! Your make-ahead iced coffee is ready whenever you are.

More Coffee Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re like me and love finding ways to enjoy coffee at home while saving money, be sure to check out my other coffee recipes and coffeehouse-inspired drinks.

And don’t miss my upcoming Deluxe S’mores Iced Coffee, made with this Big Batch Homemade Iced Coffee as the base. It’s creamy, indulgent, and tastes like a specialty coffee shop drink without the coffee shop price tag.

Why You’ll Love Keeping Big Batch Homemade Iced Coffee in Your Refrigerator

This recipe has completely changed my morning routine.

Instead of rushing out the door, waiting in line, and spending several dollars on a single cup of coffee, I can have a delicious iced coffee in my hand in less than a minute.

It’s one of those simple recipes that saves both time and money without sacrificing flavor.

Once you experience how convenient it is to have a gallon of homemade iced coffee waiting in your refrigerator, you may never want to stop at the coffee shop on your way to work again.

Sharing is caring!