COPYCATSTim Hortons Iced Capp (Copycat)
The quick answer
Blend 1 cup strong-brewed coffee (cooled), 1/2 cup cream or half-and-half, 1.5 cups ice, and 2 tbsp simple syrup for 45 seconds until smooth and slushy. Pour immediately into a cup and drink through a wide straw. Costs about $0.90 vs. $3.99 at Tim Hortons.
Tim Hortons sells over 500 million Iced Capps per year across Canada and the US, making it the chain's most popular cold beverage. Despite its iconic status, the drink is simply blended coffee, cream, and ice. You can make a near-identical version at home for under a dollar.
The Iced Capp is not a Frappuccino-style drink with syrups and toppings. It's much simpler: a slush made from coffee concentrate, cream, and blended ice. Tim Hortons uses a pre-made coffee concentrate, not freshly brewed coffee. At home, brewing double-strength coffee and cooling it fully before blending produces the same smooth, rich result.
The cream is what makes an Iced Capp different from regular blended iced coffee. Tim Hortons uses heavy cream as the default, not milk. This gives the drink its characteristic thickness and rich mouthfeel. An Iced Capp made with whole milk tastes thin and weak by comparison. Use at least half-and-half, and full heavy cream for the most authentic result.
The blend ratio is critical. Too much cream and it becomes dense and heavy. Too little and it's watery. The sweet spot is roughly 1 part cream to 2 parts coffee. Blend time also matters: 45 seconds at high speed creates a smooth slush. Under-blending leaves large ice chunks; over-blending melts the ice and makes it runny.
Cost comparison: a medium Tim Hortons Iced Capp runs $3.49 to $3.99. At home, half-and-half adds about $0.30, coffee adds $0.20, and sugar adds $0.05. Total: roughly $0.55 to $0.90 depending on whether you use half-and-half or full heavy cream. Weekly savings for a daily drinker: about $22.
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 made this recipe side-by-side with a freshly purchased Tim Hortons Iced Capp across five test rounds, adjusting cream type, blend time, and coffee strength. The version using heavy cream blended 45 seconds from double-strength cooled coffee was selected as the match by four of five testers in a blind comparison.
Pro tips
- Cool your coffee completely before blending. Warm coffee melts the ice too quickly and produces a watery result.
- Heavy cream produces the richest, most authentic Iced Capp. Half-and-half works for a lighter version.
- Drink immediately after blending. The slush texture degrades within 5 to 10 minutes as the ice melts further.
- For a French Vanilla Iced Capp version, add 2 tbsp French vanilla syrup and reduce the plain simple syrup.
- Tim Hortons sometimes offers a chocolate Iced Capp. Add 1 tbsp cocoa powder or chocolate syrup to the blender for that variation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to make a Tim Hortons Iced Capp at home vs. buying one?
A medium Tim Hortons Iced Capp costs $3.49 to $3.99. The homemade version costs $0.55 to $0.90 depending on whether you use half-and-half or heavy cream. Daily drinkers save approximately $1,000 per year by making Iced Capps at home instead.
What makes an Iced Capp different from a Frappuccino?
An Iced Capp uses no added flavorings, syrups, or toppings beyond sugar and cream. It's purely blended coffee, cream, and ice in a slush texture. A Frappuccino typically includes flavored syrup, a Frappuccino base (which contains xanthan gum and sweetener), and toppings. The Iced Capp is simpler and less sweet.
Why does my homemade Iced Capp taste watery?
Two common causes: the coffee wasn't strong enough, or the cream percentage was too low. Brew double-strength (3 tbsp grounds per 6 oz water) and use at least half-and-half, not milk. Also, make sure the coffee is fully cold before blending. Warm coffee melts the ice during blending and dilutes the final drink.
Can I use instant coffee to make an Iced Capp?
Yes. Dissolve 2 teaspoons of instant coffee powder (Nescafe or Folgers Crystals) in 1 cup of cold water. Let it rest 2 minutes, then blend with cream and ice as usual. The flavor is slightly less complex than brewed coffee but works perfectly for a quick weekday version.
What is a Tim Hortons Double Double Iced Capp?
A Double Double is Tim Hortons slang for two sugars and two creams. A Double Double Iced Capp contains extra cream and extra sugar compared to the standard version. At home, add an extra tablespoon of simple syrup and an extra 2 tablespoons of heavy cream to the blender for the same effect.
