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Sonic Iced Coffee recipe
Ahmad Itani

Sonic Iced Coffee (Copycat Recipe)

This copycat Sonic Iced Coffee recipe recreates the famous drive-in favorite with smooth cold brew, creamy texture, and sweet vanilla or caramel flavoring. Better than the original and costs a fraction of the price!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
If making cold brew from scratch 12 hours
Servings: 1 Serving
Course: Beverages, Drinks
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cold Brew Coffee
  • 1 cup coarsely ground coffee
  • 4 cups cold water
For Each Iced Coffee:
  • 1 cup cold brew coffee or 8 oz
  • 1 cup ice preferably nugget ice
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half adjust to preference
  • 1-2 tablespoons French vanilla syrup or caramel syrup
  • 1-2 teaspoons sugar or sweetener optional, adjust to taste
  • 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk OR 1 small scoop vanilla ice cream secret ingredient for creaminess
  • Whipped cream for topping optional
  • Extra caramel or chocolate drizzle for garnish optional

Equipment

  • Large glass or tumbler (16-20 oz)
  • Spoon for stirring
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Jar or pitcher for making cold brew
  • Fine mesh sieve or coffee filter
  • Optional: Nugget ice maker

Method
 

  1. To Make Cold Brew Coffee (Make Ahead):
  2. Combine 1 cup coarsely ground coffee with 4 cups cold water in a large jar or pitcher.
  3. Stir gently to ensure all grounds are saturated with water.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for 12-24 hours. The longer it steeps, the stronger the flavor.
  5. Strain the coffee through a fine-mesh sieve or coffee filter to remove all grounds.
  6. Store cold brew concentrate in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
  7. To Make Sonic Iced Coffee:
  8. Fill a large glass (16-20 oz) halfway with ice. Use nugget ice for the authentic Sonic experience, or crushed ice as an alternative.
  9. Pour 1 cup (8 oz) of cold brew coffee over the ice, filling the glass about 3/4 full.
  10. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half, depending on how creamy you want your drink.
  11. Add 1-2 tablespoons of French vanilla syrup or caramel sauce for flavoring.
  12. For extra creaminess (Sonic's secret!), add 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk OR blend in a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.
  13. Add sugar or sweetener to taste if additional sweetness is desired (start with 1-2 teaspoons).
  14. Stir gently but thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
  15. Top with whipped cream and drizzle with additional caramel or chocolate sauce if desired.
  16. Serve immediately with a straw and enjoy!

Notes

Ice Options:
Sonic is famous for nugget ice (also called pellet ice or chewy ice).
For the most authentic experience, use a nugget ice maker.
Regular crushed ice or small ice cubes work great as substitutes.
Coffee Strength:
If you prefer stronger coffee, use more cold brew concentrate or steep your cold brew for the full 24 hours.
For milder coffee, dilute cold brew with a splash of water.
Creaminess Secret:
The key to replicating Sonic's ultra-creamy texture is adding either sweetened condensed milk or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.
This mimics the ice cream mix that Sonic reportedly uses.
Dairy-Free Options:
Substitute heavy cream with oat milk for the creamiest dairy-free version. Almond milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk also works well.
Sweetness Level:
Sonic's iced coffee is quite sweet. Start with less sweetener and adjust to your taste. You can always add more!
Make It Ahead:
Cold brew can be made in large batches and stored for up to 2 weeks, making it easy to prepare iced coffee quickly whenever you want.
Popular Variations:
• French Vanilla: Use vanilla syrup
• Caramel: Use caramel sauce
• Salted Caramel:  Add a pinch of sea salt to the caramel version
• Mocha: Add chocolate syrup
• Hazelnut: Use hazelnut syrup
Storage:
Cold brew concentrate keeps in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.
Prepared iced coffee should be consumed immediately for the best taste and texture.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
(Per Serving - Estimated):
Serving Size: 1 large iced coffee (16-20 oz)
Calories: 180-250 (varies with additions)
Total Fat: 8-15g
Saturated Fat: 5-9g
Cholesterol: 30-50mg
Sodium: 50-100mg
Total Carbohydrates: 20-35g Sugars: 18-30g
Protein: 2-4g Caffeine: 160-180mg
NOTE:
Nutrition values vary significantly based on the type and amount of cream, milk, sweeteners, and add-ins used. Values above are estimates using heavy cream and vanilla syrup.