Iced Capp Just Like Tim Hortons’

The Iced Capp is Tim Hortons’ frozen coffee drink: a thick, slushy, sweet blend of coffee and milk that sits somewhere between an iced coffee and a milkshake. It is a Canadian staple, especially in summer, and it is easy to see why. It is cold, creamy, and tastes unmistakably of coffee without being bitter.

This homemade copycat approximation uses a blender, double-strength chilled coffee, milk, sugar, and plenty of ice to land on that same smooth, spoonable texture. A small scoop of vanilla ice cream is optional, but it gives the drink a rounder body and helps it stay blended. Once you have the method down, you can make a batch any time without a drive-through trip.

About Tim Hortons’ Iced Capp

What defines an Iced Capp is its texture. It should be finely crushed and fully blended, so you can drink it through a wide straw without chunks of ice. The flavor is a mellow, sweet coffee with a dairy backbone, closer to a coffee milkshake than to a bitter iced americano. Sweetness and creaminess are both part of the profile, so do not skimp on either.

The technique is simple but the details matter. Brew the coffee stronger than normal and chill it completely, because melting ice will water it down. Add the liquids and sugar to the blender first, then the ice, and blend on high until the pitch of the motor smooths out and no ice pieces remain. A homemade version is an approximation, but a strong base and a thorough blend get you very close.

How Much Does It Cost to Make Tim Hortons’ Iced Capp at Home?

A full batch makes 2 large (16 oz) drinks for an estimated $1.32 in ingredients, roughly $0.66 per serving. Ordering the equivalent at Tim Hortons runs around $9.00 (approximate menu price), so making it yourself saves an estimated $7.68 (85%). The grocery figures are estimates based on US average grocery prices (US BLS Average Price Data, May 2026) and typical store prices for the rest; the per-ingredient breakdown is in the table above. Your local store and restaurant prices will differ, but the gap stays large because you buy staple ingredients instead of a prepared, served dish, and one batch stretches across several servings.

Why Make It at Home?

Making an Iced Capp at home costs a fraction of buying one, and you control the details: sweetness, strength, richness, and size. Coffee grounds, milk, and sugar are pantry and fridge staples, so a batch of two takes about ten minutes once the coffee is chilled. It is also easy to scale up for a group, and you can adjust the recipe to suit dietary needs without special ordering.

Ingredients for Copycat Tim Hortons Iced Capp

Here’s the full ingredients list you’ll need to make Tim Hortons Iced Capp at home:

• 4 tbsp ground coffee, brewed double strength and chilled (about 1 1/2 cups brewed)
• 1 cup whole milk, cold
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar (or to taste)
• 0.5 cup vanilla ice cream (optional, for a thicker body)
• 4 cup ice cubes
• 0.5 tsp vanilla extract

A few ingredient notes:

• Coffee: use a medium roast, brewed at double strength (about 2 tablespoons of grounds per 6 ounces of water) and chilled fully. A medium roast is a good match for the smooth, non-acidic profile of the original.
• Milk: whole milk gives the creamiest result. For a richer drink closer to a cream-topped version, swap a few tablespoons of the milk for half-and-half or light cream.
• Sugar: dissolve the sugar in the warm coffee before chilling, or use simple syrup, so it blends in smoothly instead of leaving a gritty texture.

How to Make Tim Hortons Iced Capp at Home

Prep: 10 min · Cook: 0 min · Makes: 2 large (16 oz) drinks

1. Brew about 1 1/2 cups of coffee at double strength using the 4 tablespoons of ground coffee. Stir the sugar into the hot coffee until fully dissolved.
2. Chill the sweetened coffee in the refrigerator until completely cold, at least 1 hour. For a faster option, pour it into a shallow container and set it in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring once.
3. Pour the cold coffee, the milk, and the vanilla extract into a blender. Add the ice cream if using.
4. Add the ice on top of the liquids. Putting the liquids in first helps the blades catch the ice evenly.
5. Start the blender on low for a few seconds to break up the ice, then turn it to high and blend for 45 to 60 seconds, until smooth and thick with no visible chunks.
6. Check the texture. If it is too thick to blend, add a splash of milk. If it is too thin, add a handful more ice and blend again briefly.
7. Taste and adjust the sweetness with a little more sugar or simple syrup if needed, and give it one more quick pulse.
8. Pour into two tall glasses or cups and serve right away with a wide straw. Top with whipped cream if you like.

Tips for the Best Results

• Freeze leftover brewed coffee in an ice cube tray and use those cubes in place of some of the ice. The drink stays strongly flavored instead of diluted.
• Use a high-powered blender if you can. A weaker blender may need a splash more liquid and a longer blend time to fully crush the ice.
• Serve immediately. The texture is best in the first few minutes before it starts to melt and separate.
• Make the coffee base the night before so it is fully chilled and ready to blend whenever you want one.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using regular-strength coffee, which tastes weak and watery once the ice melts into it.
• Blending with warm or room-temperature coffee, which melts the ice and leaves a thin, soupy drink.
• Under-blending, which leaves icy chunks instead of the smooth slushy texture the drink is known for.
• Adding sugar directly to cold coffee without dissolving it, which leaves a gritty, uneven sweetness.

Variations to Try

• Mocha Iced Capp: add a tablespoon or two of chocolate syrup or cocoa powder dissolved in the hot coffee.
• Caramel Iced Capp: blend in a spoonful of caramel sauce and drizzle more around the inside of the glass before pouring.
• Lighter version: swap the ice cream for extra ice and use 2 percent milk, adjusting the sugar to taste.

Storage & Reheating

The Iced Capp is best enjoyed right after blending. If you have leftovers, pour them into a covered container and freeze for up to a day, then let it soften for a few minutes and re-blend with a splash of milk to restore the texture. Do not refrigerate it blended for long, as it will melt and separate. The chilled coffee base can be kept in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, so you can blend fresh drinks as needed.

What to Serve It With

Serve the Iced Capp in a tall cup with a wide straw, ideally on a hot day. It pairs well with classic coffee shop treats such as donuts, muffins, or a breakfast sandwich, and it also works as a dessert-style drink after a meal. For a party, set up a small station with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and caramel sauce so everyone can top their own.

The Bottom Line

Tim Hortons’ Iced Capp is one of those dishes that feels like it should be hard to make and expensive to buy, but at home it’s neither. For an estimated $1.32 in everyday ingredients you get 2 large (16 oz) drinks, fresh and warm, for roughly 85% less than ordering out. Make it once and it’ll join the short list of recipes you reach for without thinking. Bookmark this one, grab the ingredients, and keep an eye on CopyKitchen for more copycat favorites with an estimated cost to make them at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the exact Tim Hortons Iced Capp recipe?

No. This is a homemade copycat approximation based on the drink’s known character: a sweet, creamy, blended frozen coffee. The restaurant uses its own proprietary base, so this recipe aims to match the flavor and texture using ordinary grocery ingredients.

Can I make it without a blender?

A blender is really needed to get the finely crushed, smooth texture. A food processor can work in a pinch if it handles ice well, but you may need to blend in batches and add a little extra liquid. Shaking the ingredients with ice will give you a cold coffee drink, but not a true frozen one.

Can I use instant coffee instead of brewed coffee?

Yes. Dissolve about 3 tablespoons of instant coffee granules with the sugar in 1 1/2 cups of hot water, then chill it completely. It is a convenient shortcut, and the result is still smooth and flavorful, though a freshly brewed medium roast tends to taste a bit rounder.

How do I make it dairy-free?

Replace the milk with a creamy plant milk such as oat or soy, and skip the ice cream or use a dairy-free vanilla frozen dessert. Oat milk tends to give the best body for a blended drink. Adjust the sugar to taste, since plant milks vary in sweetness.

Why is my Iced Capp watery?

Watery results usually come from coffee that was not strong enough or not fully chilled before blending. Brew at double strength, chill it thoroughly, and add the ice last. Using frozen coffee cubes for part of the ice also keeps the flavor concentrated.

Can I make a big batch ahead of time?

You can prepare the sweetened coffee base ahead and keep it refrigerated for up to 3 days, but blend each drink fresh with ice. Blending in advance and storing it in the freezer works only for a short time, and the texture will need a quick re-blend with a splash of milk before serving.

Cost figures are estimates for comparison, based on US BLS Average Price Data (US city average) and an approximate menu price; your local grocery prices and Tim Hortons’ current menu price will vary. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. CopyKitchen is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Tim Hortons or any brand mentioned; this is an independent, homemade copycat recipe, and all trademarks are the property of their respective owners.