Making iced coffee with instant coffee just became your new favorite hack

If you ask me, instant coffee is one of the most versatile pantry staples everyone should have. From using it in baking and cooking to whipping up a Dalgona coffee to making a quick cup of joe, I’m always finding new ways to use this coffee essential. Though many people associate instant coffee with making a regular hot cup of coffee, instant coffee can also come in handy when craving a delicious iced coffee. If you don’t have time to brew iced coffee or prepare iced coffee while traveling, this method is fast and easy (and requires no equipment). If you’ve never tried this easy iced coffee hack, here’s everything you need to know about how to make instant coffee.

Making iced coffee with instant coffee

“To ensure that you are making the best cup possible with the ingredients you have, it is important to read the instant coffee package to understand if the coffee is hot soluble, cold soluble, or both,” says Lauren Abendroth, Director of R&D at Death Wish Coffee Co.

Abendroth says it’s important to know what type of solubility your instant coffee has to determine the temperature liquid needed to dissolve your coffee properly.

“If the instant coffee is only hot soluble, I would advise dissolving the instant coffee in about half of the volume of hot water recommended on the package. Once fully dissolved, fill a glass with ice and pour the hot liquid over it. Doing it this way will help ensure you do not have a watered-down iced coffee,” she shares.

Following the package directions should suffice for instant coffee that is cold soluble or both hot and cold soluble. Products such as Death Wish Coffee’s Dark Roast instant coffee are made to be both hot and cold-water soluble, making them perfect for a cup of instant iced coffee.

How to make iced coffee with instant coffee

I love making instant coffee with iced coffee because it requires no skill. You could whip this up in your sleep, and it would still taste good. You can customize the steps based on your personal preferences, but the basic method is as follows:

1. Add 8 to 12 ounces of water to a glass. Add 1 to 2 TBSP of instant coffee granules. Add 2 tbsp of hot/warm water and mix well to thoroughly dissolve all of the granules. (I prefer to use 2 TBSP instant coffee granules because I enjoy a stronger-tasting cup.)
2. Add the 6-8 oz of cold water, depending on your cup size. Mix well to combine.
3. Pour over ice and add in milk of choice (optional). Stir and enjoy!
4. Add in sugar or a sweetener if you are using it.

This method requires no preparation and limited ingredients, making it easy to take on the go when traveling. Abendroth says she frequently uses this method of iced coffee preparation when traveling to ensure she can enjoy her iced coffee the way she likes it without having to find a nearby cafe.

Should you use instant coffee for iced coffee?

How you choose to make any coffee is a personal preference. In my experience, there are always multiple excellent ways to achieve the same result: a delicious cup of iced coffee. As with any method, there are benefits and disadvantages worth considering.

As Abendroth explains, making iced coffee with instant coffee is a great time-saving option when you’re looking to whip up an iced coffee in a flash. The advantages of using this method are that it is “fully customizable, does not require brewing equipment, and is more cost-effective than purchasing an iced coffee from a cafe.”

Though convenient, making iced coffee with instant coffee has a few drawbacks, too. Using instant coffee could lead to a “muted flavor,” not quite as bold as making an iced coffee with regular brewed coffee. Depending on the type of instant coffee you use, your iced coffee could end with a bitter taste. Mixing well is also essential to avoid leaving floating granules of instant coffee in your iced coffee.

The other downside of using instant coffee to make iced coffee is the potential health risks associated with using instant coffee, such as exposure to additives or acrylamide. Most studies have linked instant coffee consumption to health benefits, which require further research to make clear conclusions. Selecting a quality, trustworthy brand that is thoroughly tested could reduce or eliminate these risks.

Though not a disadvantage, Abendroth says it’s essential to consider the instant coffee you use to ensure a great-tasting cup of coffee. Similarly to roast and ground coffee, different qualities and processing methods will impact the sensory profile of instant coffee. Abendroth says, “To ensure the cleanest cup profile, look for high-quality instant coffees.” She recommends that certifications, such as Organic and Fair Trade, indicate that the product has high-quality standards.