This Easy First Watch Iced Coffee Recipe lets you enjoy the restaurant’s smooth, refreshing coffee right at home. Cold-brewed or chilled coffee is combined with milk and ice for the perfect pick-me-up any time of day.

Glass of First Watch-style iced coffee with ice cubes and a splash of milk.
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This Easy First Watch Iced Coffee Recipe brings the café favorite straight to your kitchen without any complicated steps.

Smooth, bold coffee is chilled and poured over ice, then finished with a splash of milk or cream for that perfectly balanced, refreshing drink.

It’s ideal for busy mornings, afternoon pick-me-ups, or whenever you need a cool, caffeinated boost—no drive-thru required.

Glass of iced coffee with ice cubes and a splash of milk, styled like First Watch.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

  • Smooth and Refreshing: Enjoy a perfectly chilled, flavorful iced coffee every time.
  • Easy to Make at Home: Skip the café line and whip it up in minutes.
  • Customizable: Adjust milk, sweetener, or coffee strength to suit your taste.
  • Perfect for Any Time of Day: Great for mornings, afternoons, or a quick pick-me-up.
  • Saves Money: Get that First Watch iced coffee taste without spending at the café.

First Watch Iced Coffee Ingredients

Ingredients needed for Easy First Watch Iced Coffee Recipe on kitchen table.
  • Brewed coffee: Strong, freshly brewed coffee cooled to room temperature
  • Ice cubes: Plenty of ice to chill the coffee quickly
  • Milk or cream: Adds creaminess and balances the bold coffee flavor
  • Sweetener (optional): Sugar, syrup, or alternative to taste preference
  • Vanilla extract (optional): Enhances flavor with subtle, sweet aromatic notes
  • Chocolate or caramel syrup (optional): Drizzle for added sweetness and decadent flavor

How To Make First Watch Iced Coffee

Freshly brewed coffee cooling in a carafe to room temperature.

Step One: Brew your favorite coffee strong and allow it to cool to room temperature. For best results, use a medium to dark roast.

Step Two: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes to chill your coffee quickly. Pour the cooled coffee over the ice, leaving space for milk or cream.

Milk and sweetener being stirred into iced coffee.

Step Three: Stir in milk or cream and your preferred sweetener. Adjust the amount to taste. Add a splash of vanilla extract or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel syrup for extra flavor.

Step Four: Stir well and enjoy your refreshing First Watch-style iced coffee right away.

Refreshing First Watch-style iced coffee served with ice and milk.

Easy First Watch Iced Coffee Recipe Tips

  • Brew strong coffee: A bolder brew prevents the iced coffee from tasting weak once ice is added.
  • Cool before pouring: Let coffee reach room temperature or chill in the fridge to avoid watering it down.
  • Use plenty of ice: Keeps the drink cold longer without diluting the flavor too quickly.
  • Customize sweetness: Adjust sugar, syrup, or flavored extracts to match your taste.
  • Experiment with milk or cream: Try whole milk, oat milk, or half-and-half for different creaminess levels.
  • Make cold brew for convenience: Prepare ahead and store in the fridge for a ready-to-go iced coffee anytime.

Storing and Make Ahead Instructions

  • Storing: Store any leftover iced coffee in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled and stir well before serving, as flavors may settle.
  • Make Ahead: Brew coffee in advance and chill it in the fridge to save time. Assemble over ice with milk and sweetener just before serving for the freshest taste.
Close up of  First Watch Iced Coffee.

Easy First Watch Iced Coffee Recipe Faqs

Can I use regular brewed coffee instead of cold brew? Yes! Just brew strong coffee and let it cool to room temperature or chill it in the fridge before serving over ice.

Can I make this iced coffee ahead of time? Absolutely. Brew the coffee in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add ice, milk, and sweetener just before serving.

What kind of milk works best? Any milk or cream works—whole milk, half-and-half, or plant-based options like oat or almond milk all taste great.

How can I make it sweeter? Stir in sugar, simple syrup, flavored syrups, or even a splash of vanilla extract to taste.

Can I store the iced coffee with ice already in it? It’s better to keep the ice separate until serving to avoid diluting the coffee.

Can I add flavors like chocolate or caramel? Yes! Drizzle chocolate or caramel syrup for a decadent, flavored iced coffee experience.

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Glass of First Watch-style iced coffee with ice cubes and a splash of milk.

Easy First Watch Iced Coffee Recipe

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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings

Description

This Easy First Watch Iced Coffee Recipe brings the café favorite straight to your kitchen without any complicated steps. Smooth, bold coffee is chilled and poured over ice, then finished with a splash of milk or cream for that perfectly balanced, refreshing drink. It’s ideal for busy mornings, afternoon pick-me-ups, or whenever you need a cool, caffeinated boost—no drive-thru required.

Ingredients 

  • 8 cups Brewed coffee, room temperature
  • 4 cups Ice cubes
  • 2 cups Milk, or cream
  • 1/2 cup Sweetener, optional: sugar, syrup, or preferred alternative
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract, optional
  • 3 tablespoons Chocolate or caramel syrup, optional: for drizzling or flavoring

Instructions

  • Brew your favorite coffee strong and allow it to cool to room temperature. For best results, use a medium to dark roast.
  • Fill a tall glass with ice cubes to chill your coffee quickly.
  • Pour the cooled coffee over the ice, leaving space for milk or cream.
  • Stir in milk or cream and your preferred sweetener. Adjust the amount to taste.
  • Add a splash of vanilla extract or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel syrup for extra flavor.
  • Stir well and enjoy your refreshing First Watch-style iced coffee right away.

Equipment

  • Coffee Pot
  • Mixing Bowl

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 42kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 34mgPotassium: 209mgSugar: 6gVitamin A: 99IUCalcium: 83mgIron: 0.03mg

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