Cafe Bustelo Iced Coffee Recipe

Brewed Drinks

Cafe Bustelo Iced Coffee Recipe

Having tried and tested numerous iced coffee recipes in my quest for the perfect summer drink, the Café Bustelo Iced Coffee stands out as a beacon of hope for the taste buds. It's the perfect blend of strength and sweetness, join me as I share with you an exclusive recipe that promises to bring the vibrant essence of Latin America into your cup and maybe, just maybe, into your heart.

1 serving·5 min

Recipe reviewed 29 Sep 2026. How we test recipes.

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WHAT YOU NEED

Ingredients

Servings1

METHOD

How to make it

Follow these steps to create your perfect cup of Café Bustelo Iced Coffee:

  1. Brew the Coffee: If you have an espresso maker, brew the Café Bustelo coffee according to the machine instructions. For those using a regular coffee maker, simply prepare the coffee slightly stronger than usual to compensate for the dilution caused by ice.
  2. Cool the Coffee: Pour brewed coffee into a clean shallow container and refrigerate promptly until cold. Add ice when serving; keep any coffee mixed with milk refrigerated.
  3. Prepare the Glass: Fill your serving glass with ice cubes to the brim.
  4. Customize Your Coffee: If you like your coffee with milk, pour the cooled coffee over the ice first, then add the milk or creamer. Add sweetener if you prefer. Stir well to ensure everything is mixed thoroughly.
  5. Serve: Give the iced coffee a final stir and serve immediately. Enjoy the robust and refreshing taste of Café Bustelo.

Recipe notes

Keep any coffee mixed with milk refrigerated.

More in this article 5 sections
  1. Tips
  2. What to serve with
  3. Ingredients Substitutes
  4. Final Thoughts
  5. More Coffee Recipes:

Cafe Bustelo Iced Coffee Recipe

Cafe Bustelo Iced Coffee Recipe

Café Bustelo Iced Coffee is a ready-to-drink coffee beverage from the popular brand Café Bustelo. Known for its strong, rich flavor, Café Bustelo is a well-regarded name in the world of Latin-style coffee.

Tips

  • Strong Brew: Ensure that the coffee is brewed strong. This is vital as the ice will melt and dilute the coffee to some extent.
  • Flavorings: Experiment with different syrups or spices, such as vanilla, caramel, or cinnamon, to add a unique twist to your iced coffee.
  • Prepared Ice: To avoid your coffee getting too diluted, consider making ice cubes out of brewed coffee instead of water.
  • Cold Brew Method: For an even smoother taste, use the cold brew method by steeping Café Bustelo ground coffee in water in the refrigerator for about 12 hours, then straining it and use this concentrated brew to make your iced coffee.
  • Serving Suggestions: Serve with a sprig of mint or a cinnamon stick for enhanced aroma and visual appeal.

What to serve with

Strong, sweet iced coffee pairs well with pastries, biscotti and coffee cake, or with a breakfast burrito for something savory. For dessert, flan or tres leches cake match its Cuban-style roast.

Ingredients Substitutes

 Iced Coffee

When making Café Bustelo Iced Coffee, you may sometimes need to substitute certain ingredients due to dietary restrictions, personal preferences, or simply because you've run out of something. Below are various ingredients typically used in making iced coffee and suitable substitutes for each.

Coffee

  • Café Bustelo: Obviously, for an authentic taste, you'd use Café Bustelo coffee. However, if you don't have any on hand, any strong espresso or a dark roast coffee can be used as a substitute. The aim is to have a concentrated coffee flavor that won't become too diluted when iced.

Milk or Cream

  • Whole Milk: For a dairy-free alternative, you can use almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. Each will impart its unique flavor and nutritional profile.
  • Cream: If you are looking for a lighter option, half-and-half or even whole milk can be used in place of cream. For a non-dairy substitute, there are many non-dairy creamers available that are made from almonds, soy, or oats.

Sweeteners

  • Sugar: If you're avoiding refined sugar, you can opt for alternatives like honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup. These sweeteners may change the flavor profile slightly but can add exciting notes to your coffee. For a sugar-free option, consider stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit sweetener.
  • Simple Syrup: For a low-calorie option, you could use a sugar-free simple syrup made with a sugar substitute. You can also make simple syrup with coconut sugar or honey for a different taste.

Ice

  • Regular Ice: Regular ice can be replaced with coffee ice cubes to prevent your drink from becoming watered down as the ice melts. Simply pour coffee into an ice cube tray and freeze.

Flavorings

  • Vanilla Extract: If you do not have vanilla extract, you can use other extracts such as almond or hazelnut to add a different dimension of flavor.
  • Cocoa Powder or Chocolate Syrup: If making a mocha-flavored iced coffee and you're out of chocolate syrup, you can mix in a bit of cocoa powder with your sweetener of choice or use a chocolate-flavored non-dairy creamer.
  • Spices: If you're looking to add a bit of warmth to your iced coffee without vanilla, consider spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. A small pinch goes a long way.

Toppings

  • Whipped Cream: You can substitute dairy whipped cream for coconut whipped cream or any store-bought non-dairy whipped topping.
  • Caramel Drizzle: If you don't have caramel, try a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or chocolate syrup instead.

Final Thoughts

Creating Café Bustelo Iced Coffee is a delightful and refreshing way to enjoy coffee, especially in warm weather. By tweaking the ingredients and preparation methods to match your preferences, you can elevate this simple beverage into a personalized coffee experience.

More Coffee Recipes: