You can make homemade iced coffee taste like a shop-bought one with simple swap

With temperatures set to hit 34°C in parts of the UK this weekend, many will be reaching for an iced coffee to cool off. Coffee has officially overtaken tea as Britain's favourite drink, with 95 million cups consumed every day.

And, driven by a new wave of Gen Z coffee drinkers, it is the iced variety that is having its moment. 'Iced coffee making' is currently trending, with 266,000 daily searches on TikTok alone.

Withrising coffee prices and a cup edging towards the eye-watering price of £5, it is no surprise we are choosing to DIY the beverage at home.

And why not? Sitting at home, keeping cool with a chilled, smooth cup of iced coffee that costs just pence to make is one of life's simple pleasures to make the heat more bearable.

But if yours tastes watery and bland after five minutes in the sun, you are making one simple mistake. According to coffee expert, Jonathan Sitson, founder of beverage tools supplier Quick Whip, the trick to perfect iced coffee is not just in the brew, it's in the cubes.

"Coffee ice cubes are a simple way to keep iced coffee cold without watering it down. Unlike regular ice, they melt into more coffee, rather than weak, flavourless liquid. They're also a clever way to use up leftover brew."

TikTok users swear by it: "No more watered down coffee" claims one user, with another writing 'I don't know why I didn't make these sooner. Absolute game changer."

The best way to make coffee ice cubes

• Use any coffee you like, though cold brew works especially well because of its smooth flavour and low bitterness.

• Aim for a slightly stronger brew; a 1:14 coffee-to-water ratio holds up well after freezing.

• Let the coffee cool before pouring into ice cube trays as this makes it easier to handle and avoids damaging your tray.

• Avoid adding milk or sugar until after freezing as plain black coffee actually freezes best.

• Leave a little space at the top of each mould, especially if your coffee is warm.

• Freeze overnight (or at least 3-4 hours). Once frozen, store the cubes in an airtight container or freezer bag to avoid stale taste or freezer odours. Use them within two weeks for the best flavour.

• To serve, just drop the cubes into a glass and pour your iced coffee over the top.

"If you want them to last even longer in the glass, use a larger cube tray and an insulated cup. You'll get up to an hour of perfect iced coffee. For extra flavour, try adding a splash of syrup or a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg before freezing." Jonathon adds.