by Lu -, Spillin’ the Beans
Vanilla? Hazelnut? Sugar-Free? Let’s Talk McDonald’s Iced Coffee
I didn’t realize that McDonald’s iced coffee launch was in 2007, but I recall the rollout. I’m a huge fan of McDonald’s breakfast, but not of drinking hot coffee in the car. So, the perfect menu addition was an iced version at a super low price (I think it was 99 cents – maybe less!).
There’s nothing too complicated about an iced coffee – coffee, ice, cream, and an optional flavor. Good, good, good, good.
But…
Jump to:
What’s in a McDonald’s Iced Coffee?
Customizing Your Iced Coffee at Mickey D’s
Calories, Carbs, Fat, and Sugars
There’s Sweet, and There’s Sweeeet
If you’re like me and not a fan of super-sweet drinks, you’ve got to pump the brakes on the pumps of flavoring or sugar syrup. Yikes, that non-modified recipe will put you on a sugar high for hours.
Now you might be someone who doesn’t particularly like the taste of coffee, but you’re looking for a caffeine boost. I think a McDonald’s Iced Coffee is the way to go as it’s not a strong beverage. But whether you want to cover up the taste of the coffee or embrace it, there are ways to get the perfect product.
Before I get to customizations, I thought I’d answer the top questions that people are asking about this particular drink. There’s definitely a buzz about McDonald’s Iced Coffee!
What’s In a McDonald’s Iced Coffee?
I’ll start with the basic question, as there are different ways to make coffee drinks. Mickey D’s has a precise method, and I got the inside scoop from my nephew – a crew member for 2+ years.
The basic recipe includes four components:
- Coffee made from 100% Arabica beans
- Ice
- Liquid sugar for plain iced coffee or flavored sugar syrup for Vanilla, Caramel, or Hazelnut
- Light cream
The coffee is premade and dispensed from a container like iced tea. Then, it’s poured into a cup filled with ice, and sweeteners and cream are added.
What Are McDonald’s Iced Coffee Flavors?
In addition to plain iced coffee that’s sweetened but doesn’t have additional flavoring, the big two are French Vanilla and Caramel.
However, depending on the location, you can also order Hazelnut and Sugar-Free French Vanilla. It’s not a given, though.
- Plain
- French Vanilla
- Caramel
- Hazelnut
- Sugar-Free French Vanilla
Iced Coffee from McDonald’s Price – A Popular Search
As so many people are searching for pricing info, I wanted to give you an idea of what to expect. However, pricing varies based on the restaurant you visit. It’s not even a city-wide thing. For example, I’m in Las Vegas, and my neighborhood McDonald’s is less expensive than a spot on the strip.
I have to say, though, I hadn’t ordered an iced coffee in a while and am surprised at the price. Iced coffee used to be one of the lowest-priced drinks on the menu – not anymore.
Currently, for a medium, you’ll pay between $1.79 and $3.79. For a large, it’s a big jump in some cases. I found average prices for a large McDonald’s iced coffee in the $3.59 to $3.99 range.
On February 18th, 2023, I paid $1.89 for a Medium Vanilla Iced Coffee in a southwest Las Vegas neighborhood.
Customizing Your Order
I mentioned that McDonald’s is all about super-sweet iced coffee. It’s much too sugary for me. But until my nephew gave me a heads-up, I didn’t know you could customize it.
Order your iced coffee with just one pump if you want a lightly sweetened drink. That’s one pump of sugar syrup for a plain or one pump of flavored syrup for French Vanilla, Caramel, and Hazelnut. It’s soooo much better!
You can also adjust the cream – no cream, milk instead of cream, or just go light. And, if you’re a coffee purist, you can order a plain iced coffee with nothing in it but coffee and ice. McDonald’s might not be Starbucks, but you have a few options that make a big difference.
How Many Calories in a McDonald’s Iced Coffee
Calories, fat, sugar, and carbohydrates depend on the size and vary slightly per flavor. So, here’s a breakdown of the calorie count in a McDonald’s iced coffee and a few other numbers to note.
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Total Sugars | |
| Plain – M | 190 | 6g | 32g | 25g |
| Plain – L | 260 | 9g | 45g | 42g |
| Caramel – M | 190 | 7g | 31g | 26g |
| Caramel – L | 270 | 9g | 46g | 39g |
| French Vanilla – M | 200 | 6g | 32g | 21g |
| French Vanilla – L | 280 | 8g | 47g | 31g |
| Sugar-Free Vanilla – M | 110 | 7g | 12g | 2g |
| Sugar-Free Vanilla – L | 140 | 9g | 16g | 2g |
| Hazelnut – M | 190 | 7g | 31g | 26g |
| Hazelnut – L | 270 | 9g | 46g | 39g |
Did You Know?
Iced Coffee and Cold Brew Coffee aren’t the same.
Cold Brew refers to the process of soaking the beans in cool water for 12 to 24 hours to slowly bring out the flavors. Iced Coffee is made with drip (or another coffee-making method) poured over ice.
