How to Make Iced Coffee With a Keurig

On this page (8 sections)

1. How do you make iced coffee with a Keurig?
2. What setting and cup size make the best iced coffee?
3. Which Keurig is right for iced coffee?
4. Can you use grounds instead of a K-Cup?
5. How should you set up and care for a Keurig used for iced coffee?
6. What mistakes make Keurig iced coffee weak or messy?
7. What can you add to Keurig iced coffee?
8. Which Keurig should you choose for iced coffee?

To learn how to make iced coffee with a Keurig, fill a sturdy cup with ice and brew over it using the iced setting if your model has one. If it doesn't, use a smaller or stronger brew so melting ice is less likely to dilute the coffee.

The steps are simple, but the right brewer can make them easier. A dedicated iced setting adjusts the brew for ice, while cup-size options, a strong setting, or a carafe side may matter more if you also want hot coffee or larger batches.

How do you make iced coffee with a Keurig?

Put ice in a sturdy cup, place it under the brewer, and brew a small cup over it. Use the iced button when available; otherwise, choose a smaller size or stronger setting to help the coffee retain its flavor as the ice melts.

1. Fill a cup made for hot liquid most of the way with ice.
2. Insert a K-Cup pod or a compatible reusable filter with grounds.
3. Select the iced setting if your model has one, or choose a smaller brew size.
4. Brew into the cup, then stir when the cycle ends.
5. Taste the coffee before adding milk, cream, or sweetener.

Leave room for the brewed coffee and stirring. Avoid brewing into a cold glass unless it's designed to handle hot liquid.

What setting and cup size make the best iced coffee?

Use the iced setting when your Keurig has one, and start with a smaller cup size if you want a stronger drink. The setting is designed for brewing over ice, while a smaller serving leaves less hot coffee to dilute as the ice melts.

Try a 6 or 8 oz brew if your brewer offers those sizes. If your model has a Strong Brew button, it can make a bolder cup, but it won't replace the iced setting's adjustment for brewing over ice.

The K-Iced offers 8, 10, and 12 oz iced sizes, with ice included in the serving size. The K-Elite and K-Supreme each offer four or five cup sizes, including smaller options, so you can adjust the volume to suit your cup.

How to make iced coffee with a Keurig when it tastes watery

Brew less coffee or use a stronger setting if the first cup tastes watery. You can also use larger ice cubes, which may melt more slowly than smaller ones.

For a concentrated drink, brew a smaller cup and pour it over fresh ice in your serving cup. Stir briefly and drink soon after brewing if you want the coffee flavor to stay pronounced.

Which Keurig is right for iced coffee?

Choose the K-Iced for a focused iced-and-hot routine, the K-Elite or K-Supreme for more cup-size flexibility, and the K-Duo if you also want carafe brewing. Your best fit depends on what else you want the brewer to do.

The K-Iced suits someone who wants a straightforward iced setting and hot coffee from the same brewer. Its 42 oz removable reservoir can brew up to four cups between refills, and the removable drip tray accommodates tumblers and travel mugs up to 7 in tall.

Skip it if you regularly need a carafe or want the flexibility of 6 oz single cups. Its three cup sizes are 8, 10, and 12 oz, and the My K-Cup Universal Coffee Filter for grounds is sold separately.

The K-Elite suits someone who wants more control over cup size, a Strong Brew option, and hot water on demand for items such as oatmeal. Its removable 75 oz reservoir means fewer refills for several cups.

Skip it if a smaller reservoir and simpler iced-and-hot setup are a better fit for your counter and routine. The K-Elite is 16.5 in tall, so measure your available counter space before choosing it.

The K-Supreme is another single-cup option. It offers hot-over-ice brewing, 6, 8, 10, and 12 oz sizes, back-to-back brewing, and a 66 oz reservoir that can sit in either of two positions.

The K-Supreme suits someone who wants a single-cup brewer with a hot-over-ice option and a flexible reservoir position. Skip it if you need carafe brewing or want an iced-only machine with fewer choices.

The K-Duo Hot & Iced suits households that want single cups with K-Cup pods as well as carafes with grounds. Its iced setting is on the single-cup side, and its shared 72 oz reservoir serves both brewing sides.

Skip it if you only make single cups and don't need a carafe. Its two brewing options make more sense when both will be useful in your kitchen.

For a broader comparison of machines made for cold drinks, see our guide to the best iced coffee makers for home. You can also compare the Keurig cup sizes before deciding which brew volumes suit your usual glass.

Can you use grounds instead of a K-Cup?

You can use grounds if your brewer supports a compatible reusable filter. Check your model's instructions and the filter's fit before brewing, since the right filter depends on the brewer.

The K-Iced, K-Elite, and K-Supreme support the My K-Cup Universal Coffee Filter, sold separately. The K-Duo brews grounds on its carafe side, so you can make a larger batch there.

For more detail, read whether you can use ground coffee in a Keurig. If you're deciding between pods and grounds, what K-Cups are and how they work explains the pod format.

How should you set up and care for a Keurig used for iced coffee?

Set the brewer up with fresh water, enough room for your cup, and the filter or pod your model supports. Follow the model instructions for installing the water filter or reusable coffee filter, since the parts and setup steps can vary.

Before brewing, check that your cup fits beneath the brewer and has room for ice and coffee. Remove the drip tray if needed for a taller mug, if your model allows it, and return it before cleaning up any spills.

After making iced coffee, rinse reusable parts that held grounds or coffee, empty the cup, and wipe up splashes. Follow the brewer's instructions for regular cleaning and descaling; the K-Elite has a maintenance reminder, and the K-Supreme reminds you to descale after every 250 brews.

What mistakes make Keurig iced coffee weak or messy?

The most common mistake is brewing too much hot coffee over too little ice. That leaves more melted ice in the drink and less coffee flavor.

Use a cup large enough for both the ice and brewed coffee, and avoid filling it to the brim. If you want a larger drink, add cold milk after brewing or use fresh ice in a larger serving cup.

Another mistake is assuming every Keurig has the same iced controls. Check for an iced setting before brewing, and use a smaller size or Strong Brew when your model offers no iced option.

What can you add to Keurig iced coffee?

Add milk, cream, or sweetener after brewing, then taste before adding more. A smaller brew helps keep the coffee flavor clear when you add milk or other ingredients.

If you like a creamy drink, a separate frother can add texture. Our guide to coffee makers with a built-in frother covers what to consider if you want that feature in a machine.

Which Keurig should you choose for iced coffee?

Pick the K-Iced for a dedicated Brew Over Ice button, the K-Elite or K-Supreme for a single-cup brewer with several size options, or the K-Duo if carafe brewing matters too. To make iced coffee with a Keurig you already own, use its iced setting when available, or brew a smaller, stronger cup over fresh ice.

For another hot-and-cold option, see our guide to the best Ninja coffee makers for home.

Frequently asked questions

Can you make iced coffee with any Keurig?

You can make iced coffee with many Keurig brewers by brewing hot coffee into a cup of ice. An iced setting can adjust the brew for that use, but the steps vary by model, so check its instructions and use a sturdy cup made for hot liquid.

If your brewer has no iced setting, choose a smaller or stronger brew to help offset melting ice.

How much ice should I put in my Keurig iced coffee?

Fill a heat-safe cup most of the way with ice, leaving room for the coffee and a quick stir. The amount depends on your cup size and how much coffee you brew.

If the drink tastes weak, try a smaller brew or larger ice cubes.

They can melt more slowly than small cubes.

Should I brew coffee directly over ice?

Yes, if your brewer's iced setting is designed for brewing over ice and your cup can safely hold hot liquid. Some iced settings adjust the brew to help limit melting.

Without that setting, brew a smaller or stronger cup, then pour it over fresh ice.

Check your model's instructions for its specific controls.

Can I use a reusable K-Cup for iced coffee?

Some Keurig models can brew grounds with a compatible reusable filter, but compatibility depends on both the brewer and filter. Check your model's instructions before using one.

Choose a grind and amount suited to the filter, then brew over ice using a smaller cup size if you want a stronger drink.