Iced coffee beverages continue to grow in popularity. According to the National Coffee Association, between 2009 and the first quarter of 2013 iced beverage sales increased from 19% of menu items to 24%. Following the popularity of cappuccinos and mocha lattes, consumers are discovering that coffee is just as tasty – and even more refreshing – when served cold.

The percentage of American adults who drink iced coffee is 2%, but a much higher number (38%) of young Americans between 18 and 24 drink iced beverages.

Iced coffee can be as easy to prepare as iced tea. A variety of options, such as flavoring syrups, cold milk, chocolate and spices, allow you to create personalized coffee concoctions that are just as delicious as those served in your favorite coffeehouse.

The first office-quality iced coffee machine was released in 2008. In 2010, Keurig introduced the brew-over-ice theme. Major brands are creating products for the vending machine industry.

Increasingly popular beverages such as iced vanilla mocha, iced rum coffee and iced latte are easy to make at home.

Here are some tips for refreshing iced coffee drinks.

  • Don’t let your iced drinks become watered down. Fill an ice tray with fresh-brewed coffee instead of water, and use the frozen coffee cubes to cool your iced coffee drink without losing any flavor.
  • Pour the flavoring syrup into the cup first. To complete the drink, pour in espresso or coffee, then the ice, and top it off with cold milk.
  • Use a machine that produces a high quality coffee or espresso for your foundational coffee. Some coffee machines, for example, grind coffee beans right before brewing and allow you to control the strength of your coffee.
  • Be creative. Add a personalized touch to your iced coffee beverages with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, nutmeg or cinnamon. It is easy to make fancy chocolate curls from a chocolate bar using a vegetable peeler.