Starbucks Iced Americano – Copycat Recipe

By Nichole J. •  Updated: 05/14/25 •  2 min read
Starbucks Iced Americano -  Copycat Recipe

How to Make a Starbucks Iced Americano Without Selling Your Soul to Coffee Corporate Overlords

Let’s face it: your bank account is side-eyeing your Starbucks habit. Why pay $5 for coffee-water when you can make it at home? This recipe turns espresso, water, and ice into a drink that’s basically a caffeine superhero – simple, strong, and ready to rescue your afternoon slump.

What You’ll Need

Tools

Starbucks Iced Americano -  Copycat Recipe

Steps

  1. Brew the espresso
    Make 2 shots using your espresso machine or Moka pot. No machine? Brew ½ cup of extra-strong coffee. Weak coffee here is like socks with sandals—just don’t.
  2. Ice, ice, baby
    Fill your glass to the top with ice. This isn’t a suggestion. Iced Americano without ice is just sad coffee soup.
  3. Water it down (but in a good way)
    Pour 1 cup of cold water over the ice. Cold water keeps things crisp, unlike your ex’s text replies.
  4. Add espresso
    Pour the hot espresso over the ice-water mix. The sizzle means it’s working. Science!
  5. Optional: Sweeten the deal
    Stir in sugar, syrup, or a splash of milk. Want pumpkin spice? It’s August. Relax.

Pro Tips

Why This Works

Starbucks uses espresso + water + ice. You’re doing the same thing, minus the awkward small talk with the barista. Adjust ratios to match your caffeine villainy.

Final Boss Level: Drink It

Sip. Pretend you’re in a coffee ad. Marvel at your genius. Use the money you saved to buy…more coffee beans. Or a yacht. Yachts are cool.

There you go—a Starbucks-worthy Iced Americano that doesn’t require a second mortgage. You’re welcome, wallet.

Starbucks Iced Americano (Copycat)

Starbucks Iced Americano (Copycat)

This refreshing drink combines the bold flavors of espresso, water, and ice to create a revitalizing pick-me-up that's sure to conquer your post-lunch doldrums.

Ingredients

  • 2 shots espresso (or ½ cup strong brewed coffee)
  • 1 cup cold water
  • 1 cup ice cubes
  • Optional: sugar, syrup, or milk (if you’re fancy)

Instructions

    1. Brew the espresso
    2. Fill your glass to the top with ice
    3. Water it down (but in a good way)
    4. Add espresso
    5. Optional: Sweeten the deal

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Nichole J.

Food Lover, Coffee Addict, and Recipe Tinkerer. When I'm not testing recipes, I'm debating whether coffee counts as a meal (it does). I created cooksandcoffee.com and my goal is to help you cook better, faster and have some fun along the way

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