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Account iconAn icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile. Login Show While your local coffeehouse may brew a tasty iced coffee, there's a far
more budget-friendly, convenient alternative that can save both time and money: making your own iced coffee with a Keurig machine. In fact, Perfect Brew partnership manager and barista Melissa Collins says there are lots of
perks to making iced coffee in a Keurig. For one, the Keurig
machine is perfect when you're brewing for one, as it allows you to brew a single cup of coffee at a time. Many Keurig machines also have a special "iced" setting, and there are countless K-cups to choose from, no matter your personal tastes and preferences. Making iced coffee in a Keurig machine does require some special considerations, though. Below, experts share some helpful guidance on how to brew flavorful iced coffee in a Keurig that rivals your local café's. Step 1: Select the K-cupUse a K-cup that has at least 8 grams of ground dark roast coffee to get the best flavor possible. Getty ImagesThere's no right or wrong when it comes to choosing a K-cup for iced coffee, but Quenchlist founder and coffee expert Fanny Surjana advises opting for one labeled "dark roast." Although light roasts usually have a higher caffeine content, dark roast coffee beans have been roasted for a longer period of time, yielding a stronger flavor. That means dark roasts are less likely to taste watered down than lighter roasts when ice is added. Surjana also recommends seeking out K-cups that contain at least 8 grams of coffee and blend Robusta and Arabica beans. "The Robusta beans give the coffee more caffeine and body, while the Arabica beans give it a smoother flavor," she explains. Step 2: Prep the machine and cupOnce you've chosen a K-cup, insert it into the machine's compartment, and make sure there is plenty of water in the reservoir to brew. Before brewing, place a heatproof mug or glass under the spout. Step 3: Brew the coffeeNow it's time to select the cup size and brew settings. Some Keurig machines feature an iced coffee setting. According to Surjana, this setting is designed to brew a smaller and more concentrated cup of coffee — that way it won't get too diluted when you add ice. If your machine doesn't have this setting, selecting the "strong" button will have the same effect. As for the cup size, Surjana suggests choosing the 6 or 8-ounce setting so you have ample room to add ice, milk, or any flavorings. A larger pour will also have more water, resulting in a weaker taste once you add ice. After you close the lid on the machine and select your desired cup size, hit the brew button. Once the coffee has finished brewing, you may be eager to start sipping — but Collins says the longer you can wait the better. Allowing your coffee to cool down for at least 20 to 30 minutes, ideally in the refrigerator, will prevent the ice from melting and diluting your drink. If you're in a hurry, adding cold milk or cream to your coffee will also help to cool it down faster. When the coffee has cooled somewhat, pour it slowly over a tumbler, Thermos, or glass filled with ice. Step 4: Add some flavorUse ice cubes made from coffee, then add extra flavorings to make the most impact. Nhat-Tien Le/500px/Getty ImagesOnce you've brewed and chilled your coffee, you can amp up the taste with sweeteners, syrups, extracts, and spices. Here are a few of experts' favorite flavor enhancers.
Insider's takeawayMaking a single-serve iced coffee in a Keurig is super easy. Some machines even have a special "iced" setting designed to brew a stronger cup that won't get too diluted once you add ice — but if yours doesn't, selecting the "strong" option is just as effective. For the most flavorful results, opt for dark roast K-cups with at least 8 grams of coffee, and select a smaller-sized brew.
Rebecca Strong is a Boston-based freelance writer covering health and wellness, food and wine, fitness, and travel. In addition to contributing to the Health Reference and Kitchen verticals at Insider, she has also written for Healthline, Health magazine, Bustle, StyleCaster, PopSugar, AskMen, and Elite Daily. You can follow her work on Twitter. Read more Read less We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective. Related articlesMore... Can you use Keurig coffee for iced coffee?Don't worry – your Keurig® coffee maker and a little ice can make it nice! The average iced coffee recipe is exactly what the name implies: Coffee poured over ice. So simple. So perfect.
Do you need special pods for Keurig iced coffee?Answer: If you want to make iced coffee with your Keurig machine you don't need special k cups for iced coffee. You can make iced coffee with any regular k cup pod. I do recommend using dark roasted k cups for best results. Think of a k cup as a base.
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