This homemade iced cappuccino takes less than 5 minutes to make, and it is just as delicious as the real thing. It is naturally sweetened, healthier and cheaper than the original, and can be made decaf, dairy-free or lactose-free. You'll never have to buy another Tim Hortons Iced Capp ever again!
Tim Hortons Iced Capps (aka iced cappuccinos) are such a refreshing treat on hot days. And while this recipe is not an exact copycat recipe, it is both healthier and just as delicious as the real thing.
Making your own iced cappuccinos at home will not only save you money, but it will also allow you to control the ingredients—which means that you can tailor the recipe to suit any dietary preferences, restrictions or sensitivities you may have. This is sure to become your new favorite iced coffee recipe!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick to make: Making your own Iced Capp at home takes less than 5 minutes from start to finish. It's even quicker than making a trip out to Tim Hortons, and you won't have to worry about lineups or opening hours.
- Healthier ingredients: This simple Iced Capp recipe is naturally sweetened with maple syrup, and contains fewer calories, fewer carbs, less sugar, less cholesterol, and less fat than even the smallest format available at Tim Hortons. (The nutritional information for Tim Hortons menu items is available on their website.)
- Cost-effective: Have you seen the price of Tim Hortons Iced Capps lately? Making your own at home is a great way to save money, especially if you buy them often.
- Food restriction friendly: If you have food allergies, food intolerances, or certain dietary preferences, you can tailor this recipe to suit your needs. I've included ingredient substitutions that will allow you to make it decaf, low-fat, lactose-free, dairy-free or vegan. (These Healthy Nut-Free Granola Bars are also great for special diets!)
Love a good espresso, latte, frozen coffee, cold coffee cappuccino, or anything else that contains coffee? If so, you'll also love this Coffee & Chocolate Chia Pudding!
Required Ingredients
- Instant coffee: Regular or decaf will both work. If you don't have instant coffee granules, you can use very strong brewed coffee. (Make sure it's quite strong, or the iced cappuccino will taste bland.) For a fun twist, try using French vanilla instant coffee instead of regular.
- Hot water: This will be used to dissolve the coffee granules. If you are using brewed coffee, you can omit it.
- Cocoa powder: I typically use unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Regular unsweetened cocoa powder should work too.
- Maple syrup: I always use pure maple syrup, which is pretty easy to find in Canada. If maple syrup is difficult to find where you live, agave syrup is the best substitute due to its neutral flavor. Honey has a stronger flavor, but could work too. I don't recommend corn syrup or table syrup. You can also use granulated sugar if you don't need the recipe to be naturally sweetened.
- Milk: You can use skim, 2% or whole milk. I usually use 2% or whole milk depending on what we happen to have at home.
- Ice: I like to use ice cubes because it allows me to measure the quantities more easily. Crushed iced would probably work too, but you'll need to measure less since it's more packed.
- Coffee cream of half-and-half: Either will work. If you don't have any, you can simply replace it with more milk.
The full ingredient list, quantities and instructions can be found in the recipe card.
Variations & Substitutions
- Lower the caffeine content: I always use decaf instant coffee because caffeine gives me migraines. (This doesn’t technically make the iced capp caffeine-free due to the cocoa powder, but it lowers the caffeine content.) Nescafe Taster's Choice is my go-to, and even my coffee-loving husband doesn't mind it.
- Lower the fat content: If you’re watching your fat intake or simply don’t like drinks that are too rich, use skim milk instead of whole, and replace the coffee cream or half-and-half with more milk.
- Make it lactose-free: Use lactose-free milk and coffee cream, which can be found at most grocery stores. If you can’t find any, follow the instructions below to make it dairy-free, which will naturally eliminate the lactose.
- Make it vegan / dairy-free: Replace the milk and coffee cream with your favorite non-dairy milk, such as soya or almond milk. I don't recommend canned coconut milk, but carton coconut milk could work.
How to Make Homemade Iced Cappuccino (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Dissolve instant coffee granules. In a small bowl, combine the hot water and instant coffee granules, stirring with a spoon to help them dissolve. (Skip this step if using brewed coffee.)
Step 2: Make iced cappuccino base. Pour the coffee, cocoa powder, milk and maple syrup into the bowl of your blender and run it for 5-10 seconds to combine the ingredients.
Step 3: Add ice cubes. Add the ice cubes to the blender and blend until the ice has been pulverized and the mixture looks frothy.
Step 4: Add cream and blend until frothy. Add the coffee cream or half-and-half and blend until just combined. Pour into a tall glass and serve immediately, with a straw.
This recipe is a favorite of mine both in summer and during the rest of the year. Even my husband, who is not a fan of Tim Hortons Iced Capps, really enjoys the homemade ones. And we can enjoy them guilt-free, because they are healthier to store-bought and we know exactly what's in them!
Helpful Tips
- Adjust the sweetness: Using less maple syrup will make the coffee taste more pronounced. If you are making this recipe for the first time, start with 1 ½ tablespoons of maple syrup, blend the ingredients, then taste and add more syrup as needed before blending again. I prefer mine on the sweeter side, so I tend to use about 2 tablespoons of maple syrup.
- Measure the ice cubes: You will need roughly 1 ½ cups of ice cubes for this recipe, but the measurements don't have to be exact. I usually just take out the 16-ounce drinking glass I'll be using to drink my iced cappuccino, and fill it about two-thirds to three-quarters of the way with ice.
- Make several at a time: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if you want to make several iced cappuccinos at once. Simply multiply the quantity of ingredients accordingly and divide the mixture between several glasses.
Looking for more easy summer recipes? Serve this Caprese Salad or this Simple Arugula Salad as a side dish, and have a (decaf) Iced Capp as an after-dinner treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question that wasn't answered here? Let me know in the comments and I'll be happy to help!
If you have tried this Homemade Iced Cappuccino or any other recipe on our website, please let us know how it went in the comments below. We can't wait to hear from you!
Homemade Iced Cappuccino
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoon instant coffee granules regular or decaf
- 1 ½ tablespoon hot water
- ½ tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 ½-2 tablespoon maple syrup to taste
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 ½ cups ice cubes approx.
- 3 tablespoon coffee cream or half-and-half
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the hot water and instant coffee granules, stirring with a spoon to help them dissolve.
- Pour the coffee, cocoa powder, milk and maple syrup into the bowl of your blender. Run the blender for 5-10 seconds to combine the ingredients. Taste and adjust the quantity of maple syrup as needed.
- Add ice cubes and blend until the ice has been pulverized and the mixture looks frothy. Add the cream and blend for a few more seconds, until well combined. Pour into a tall glass and serve immediately, with a straw.
Notes
- Switch up the coffee: For a fun twist, try using French vanilla coffee granules.
- Lower the caffeine content: Use decaf coffee instead of regular.
- Lower the fat content: Use skim milk, and replace the cream with more milk.
- Make it lactose-free: Use lactose-free milk and cream, or make it dairy-free (see below).
- Make it vegan/dairy-free: Replace the milk and cream with a non-dairy alternative like soya or almond milk (but not canned coconut milk).
I lik to use vanilla or caramel creamer blend or whiz quickly. I find if you blend the ice cubes some before adding liquid it blends better.
Great afternoon pick me up!!!
My wife likes to put put peppermint Candy the blends it with mocha flavor.
Sounds great!
I'm pregnant right now and have been craving Iced Capps like crazy so being able to make a decaf one is awesome! I have tried Iced Capp copies in the past and this is definitely the best I've found. I used raw cacao powder instead of cocoa powder so had to use a bit more maple syrup to sweeten, but the coffee flavour was actually quite strong! I may even use just 1 tbsp next time. Very yummy! Thanks for sharing!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe! I love ice Capps, but they always give me a headache, so being able to make them at home and control the ingredients has been a game-changer!
Absolutely amazing! The perfect little afternoon treat with just the right amount of caffeine / sweetness!! I've never had an Iced Cap because I am lactose intolerant and simply accepted that it wasn't something I could have. This is a game changer! I don't have coffee cream so I just added more milk at the end.
PS - I can also be made into a yummy little "adult" Ice Cappuccino! Just saying!
With a popsicle mould it could also be made into a delicious frozen treat as well!
I am so glad that you enjoyed the recipe! I have trouble with Tim Horton's Iced Caps too because of the caffeine, so I love being able to make them at home and choose the ingredients accordingly!
Hello, what can I use if I don't have maple syrup. Please let me know. Thank you
Honey or agave syrup would be the closest substitutes (honey will change the flavour more, so I recommend agave syrup if you have it). You can also try using regular granulated sugar. Regardless of what you choose, you'll probably have to play around with the quantities until you get the taste right, so I'd recommend starting with less than you think you'll need and tasting the mixture before adding the ice cubes.
Delicious!! Thank you 4 sharing.😁
I'm so glad you liked it! We've been making lots of them now that the warmer weather is here!
Thank you so much! I thought I would have to give up my T H icecap as im trying to lose weight. I tweaked it using skim milk and sweetener and it worked great!
You're welcome, I'm so glad it worked for you! I love iced cappuccinos, but the ones from Tim Hortons give me a headache, so it's great being able to make it at home and tweak the ingredients as needed!
This looks easy and is a great way to save money too!
Ooo I'm saving this one! Looks great!
I’m the biggest coffee addict ever so this recipe is perfect for me. Gonna go make it right now!
Hope you enjoy it!