McDonald’s Sugar-free Vanilla Iced Coffee Recipe
One of our favorite treats to get on any hot or cold day is a Mcdonald’s sugar-free iced coffee recipe!
We like the regular (not sugar-free), too, but my wife likes this recipe even better than the Mcdonald’s version. I have created a recipe that you can make it from your home for a fraction of the cost.
This post has some affiliate links to find the ingredients & appliances on Amazon. I think you’re going to make this one every morning…
So several months back, Becky (my wife) and I were introduced to McDonald’s Iced Coffee, during one of their “free iced coffee all months” specials.
We started drinking them when our local McDonalds was giving away a free small iced coffee as a promotion. After drinking them every day, sometimes 2 times a day, it was easy to say we were now hooked!
So I wanted to come up with a copycat McDonald’s Iced Coffee recipe.
This helped to keep a few bucks in our pockets, avoid those pesky drive-thru lines and avoid repeating 3 times: “I would like a small sugar free french vanilla iced coffee!” Yeah, that is a mouth full!
After the second time, I have to look at Becky just to make sure I was still ordering it correctly!
Now it is super easy and all the ingredients can be found at most major retailers.
The syrup is usually the hardest to find, but it can also be purchased through Amazon. It is generally much cheaper and you can get more for your money.
I will go through it step by step including the coffee. I found that the coffee was the one area that I had to adjust. I personally like to drink straight black coffee in the morning, and I prefer a mild coffee.
However, it was not the right coffee for this recipe. Instead, you will want a dark, full-bodied coffee for the job!
What is the best coffee to use for Iced Coffee?
First, start by brewing your coffee in your coffee maker. I start with 12 cups of cold water and add 3/4 cup of coffee.
I personally prefer Folders Gourmet Supreme-Dark Roast.
Once the coffee is brewed I put the pot directly in the refrigerator to cool for a few hours.
Tip: Once cooled I usually transfer the coffee to some used water bottles and store them in the refrigerator.
A pot of coffee usually makes 3 water bottles. This makes it easy to use and to store. I also make the coffee daily to ensure I have some on hand when needed.
How to make McDonalds Sugar Free Iced Coffee
Now it is time to create that McDonald’s Iced Coffee that you love so much! Remember all the ingredients can be found in most major retailers. Now for the good part…
Ingredients for Mcdonald’s Sugar-Free Vanilla Iced Coffee
- 1/8 cup of Torani Flavoring Syrup (We like sugar-free French Vanilla, found in the coffee section.)
- 1/4 cup of Half-and-Half (use original-If you use fat-free it is up to you, but may not taste that good!)
- 1 cup of your cold brewed coffee
- 2 cups of Ice
If you want to make a full Pitcher of Iced Coffee:
- 1/2 cup of Torani Flavoring Syrup
- 1 cup of Half-and-Half
- 4 cups of cold brewed coffee
How many calories in Mcdonalds Sugar-Free Iced Coffee?
According to their website, their sugar-free iced coffee has around 100 calories for a medium drink and 130 for a large drink. Ours is very similar.
You can easily find out exactly how many calories your drink has by measuring out how much syrup you use, as well as how much half-and-half you use.
Tips for making this Sugar Free Iced Coffee
- To make it a little easier to mix, I recommend mixing all the ingredients together 1st then to add the ice. It will just make the stirring process a little easier.
- You can also make a larger batch to have ready for the day as well.
- We usually make one at a time, just to help cut back on the amount that we drink. If not we would end up drinking it all day long!
ENJOY!
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This sounds so good!!!
It is by far Bec’s Favorite!
what kind of coffee mix or brew do they use at Mcdonalds? can’t find the taste of the coffee i get in their iced fv coffees? I wish someone new of one that tastes so close even.. anyone help??
Good question. I will have to try and get a closer look next time I am in there 🙂
Candice,
We got a little tip from Walker who said, “They use the Mdconald’s brand coffee. The trick to McDonald’s ice coffee is that they put double the amount of coffee in as they would normally. One bag of coffee for hot coffee, two for iced! I used to work there and they did it so it wouldn’t taste watered down! :)”
They sell Mccafe coffee at dollar general and it’s dark roast
Thanks Breanna! That is good to know and will pass it along!
I found cans of McDonalds brand coffee at Dollar General….
Thanks for your comment. I have tried it as well, but for me, the taste was not quite the same. I really like using a darker roast.
They use the Mdconald’s brand coffee. The trick to McDonald’s ice coffee is that they put double the amount of coffee in as they would normally. One bag of coffee for hot coffee, two for iced! I used to work there and they did it so it wouldn’t taste watered down! 🙂
Thanks, thats good to know. I know when I make it I make the coffee really strong. It is hard to taste the difference between the two.
@ Walker, do you know what brand of syrup they use for French vanilla iced coffee?
Torini. You can usually find it in the coffee section.
BTW, I pour leftover coffee into ice cube trays, then pop them into ziplock bags in my freezer. I use them with my iced coffee instead of regular ice cubes! Just sayin’…
Thats a great idea. That would help from keeping the end of the coffee from tasting so watered down. Ill have to give it a shot:)
that’s a great idea. never thought of doing that. thanks Miss Cyndra
Adding 250gms of sweetened condensed milk to this recipe increases the taste of the dish. Last week I tried your caramel sauce and my son David loved it very much, and as I was unable to post my review there and so I am doing it here. The recipe turned out great (no surprise there!) but the only change I would make is that I would lightly added butter before adding it to the milk. It adds a wholesome flavour. Other than that you are wonderful and I am grateful that I found this delicious recipes 🙂
Hi! This was a little too ‘coffee’ tasting for me Any suggestions to make it a little sweeter and a little less coffee flavor?
Hey – this is Becky (Mickey’s wife). So I actually put whipped cream on my coffee. lol!! It makes it so much better – I’m not much of a coffee person, but really trying to drink more of it (and less Diet Coke). :). Anyway- try the whipped cream thing. I love it. 🙂
Talk soon,
Becky @ YourModernFamily.com
Hi Mickey,
Thanks a lot for the Coffee Recipe. Looking to enjoy my holidays with great coffee. You too Enjoy the Holidays !
A Very Happy New Year ! Cheers
~ Donna
Excellent Recipe, I used the sugar free hazelnut and it was AMAZING.Thank You so much for the recipe.
I make it at home but I use decaf coffee and the French Vanilla creamer.. tastes just like McDonalds. too many calories in half and half
I can’t stand the taste of Torani sugar-free French Vanilla. BUT, I love McDonalds sugar-free French Vanilla iced coffee. They use ‘Eythritol’ as the sweetener.
• Now where to find it?
Thanks for sharing the brilliant idea on how to do a McDonald ice coffee. You shared an informative recipe.