Following on the ever-increasing popularity of cappuccinos and mocha lattes, consumers are discovering that coffee is just as tasty – and even more refreshing – when served cold.

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 coffee cafe.

Drinks that seem very fancy and complicated, 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:

* Use a machine that produces a high quality coffee or espresso.

* Don’t let your iced coffee drinks be weakened by melting ice. Freeze fresh-brewed coffee into ice cubes and cool your favorite coffee beverage with them rather than with water ice.

* 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. This way you know you have the amount of flavoring you wanted to use to get the perfect flavor.

* Be creative. Add a personalized touch to your iced coffee beverages by topping them off with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, nutmeg or cinnamon.