COPYCATSMcDonalds Iced Coffee (Copycat)
The quick answer
Brew 6 oz of medium-roast coffee double-strength (3 tbsp grounds). Cool it down. Pour over a full glass of crushed ice. Add 3 tbsp half-and-half and 1-2 tbsp liquid cane sugar (or simple syrup). Stir and serve. Costs about $0.65 vs. $2.99 at McDonald's.
McDonald's McCafe iced coffee sells for $2.19 to $3.29 depending on size and location, and it's McDonald's second most popular beverage after fountain drinks. The recipe is straightforward: double-strength medium roast, cream, and liquid sugar. Making it at home costs about $0.65.
McDonald's McCafe iced coffee stands out from other fast food iced coffees for two reasons: the amount of cream and the sweetness level. The medium size contains roughly 140 to 160 calories, mostly from cream and sugar. McDonald's uses liquid cane sugar, not simple syrup. At home, regular simple syrup is nearly identical in taste.
The coffee itself is a medium roast. McDonald's uses their proprietary McCafe blend, which is also sold in grocery stores as McCafe Premium Roast Ground Coffee for about $8 to $9 per bag. It makes about 40 servings, adding roughly $0.20 to $0.22 per drink in coffee cost. Any medium roast from the grocery store will work.
The cream ratio is higher than most people expect. McDonald's uses a blend of cream (not just milk) to give the drink its smooth, almost dessert-like sweetness. At home, use half-and-half as a close match, or combine 2 tbsp heavy cream with 1 tbsp whole milk. Using just 2% milk produces a thinner, less satisfying result.
Cost comparison: a medium McDonald's iced coffee runs $2.19 to $2.69. The homemade version costs $0.60 to $0.75. Annual savings for a daily drinker: roughly $540 to $720. McDonald's iced coffee is already one of the cheapest cafe options available, so the proportional savings are lower than Starbucks comparisons, but still significant.
Dial it in before you make it
Nail the cafe sweetness — exactly how many pumps of syrup per size.
| Measurement | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pumps | 3 |
| Tablespoons | 1.5 tbsp |
| Volume | 22.5 mL |
| Approx. calories (regular syrup) | ~60 cal |
Sugar-free syrup ≈ 0 calories. 1 pump ≈ 0.25 fl oz / 7.5 mL / 0.5 tbsp / ~20 cal. Based on standard cafe pump chart.
Make it
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
Steps
We've made this side-by-side with a fresh McDonald's medium iced coffee four times. The biggest lesson: crushed ice is important. McDonald's uses small pellet ice that chills the drink faster and keeps it colder longer. A Lewis bag and mallet crushes standard ice cubes in 20 seconds and makes a noticeable difference.
Pro tips
- McCafe Premium Roast Ground Coffee from the grocery store is essentially the same coffee McDonald's uses and costs about $0.22 per serving.
- For the caramel version, replace simple syrup with 2 tbsp caramel syrup.
- For a hazelnut iced coffee, use 2 tbsp Torani Hazelnut Syrup.
- Crushed ice makes a real difference in texture and temperature. Use a blender on pulse or crush ice in a zip-lock bag.
- Make a big batch of double-strength coffee and refrigerate for up to 5 days for quick weekday servings.
Frequently asked questions
How much does McDonald's iced coffee cost vs. making it at home?
A medium McDonald's iced coffee runs $2.19 to $2.69. Making it at home costs about $0.65 per serving. That's a savings of roughly $1.50 to $2 per drink. For daily drinkers, that adds up to $540 to $720 per year.
What coffee does McDonald's use in their iced coffee?
McDonald's uses their proprietary McCafe Premium Roast blend, a medium roast available in grocery stores under the McCafe brand for about $8 to $9 per bag. Folgers Classic Medium or any standard medium-roast ground coffee from the grocery store works as an equally close substitute.
Why is McDonald's iced coffee so sweet and creamy?
McDonald's uses a higher-than-average cream-to-coffee ratio and sweetens with liquid cane sugar rather than granulated sugar. The liquid sugar dissolves instantly and doesn't leave a grainy texture. At home, use half-and-half (not regular milk) and simple syrup to replicate this combination.
Can I make a flavored version like caramel or vanilla?
Yes. McDonald's offers caramel and vanilla flavored iced coffees. At home, replace plain simple syrup with 2 tbsp of Torani Caramel Syrup or Torani French Vanilla Syrup. Both are available at most grocery stores or on Amazon for $7 to $9 per bottle, which makes about 30 servings.
What is the difference between McDonald's iced coffee and their frappe?
McDonald's iced coffee is chilled brewed coffee with cream and sugar, poured over ice. Their frappe is a blended drink made with a coffee concentrate, cream, ice, and a flavored syrup, similar to a Frappuccino. The iced coffee is lighter and less sweet. The frappe is thicker and dessert-like.
