5 Ways to Make Maxwell Instant Coffee Drinks
Whether you're looking for a fast cold coffee fix or a nostalgic sweet treat, instant coffee can do more than just a sad office cup. With the right ratios and techniques, Maxwell instant coffee—yes, the same one many grew up with—can make surprisingly satisfying drinks from iced coffee to soda blends. But what’s the actual method? What proportions really work? Here’s how to turn a basic instant coffee packet into five different drinkable results.
There are five detailed recipes here: milk coffee, ice cream coffee, Maxwell iced coffee, cola coffee, and even a sherry-flavored ‘Punchi’ coffee. Each uses precise measurements—including 1/4 cup Maxwell instant coffee, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup hot water, and varying amounts of milk, ice, or flavorings—to create four or more servings per batch. These aren’t guesses; they’re reproducible formulas from the original source.
Milk Coffee with Maxwell Instant
The simplest way to enjoy instant coffee hot: a full spoon of Maxwell instant coffee stirred into mostly hot milk. For best results, pour the coffee into your cup first, then gradually add slightly more than half a cup of hot milk while stirring until fully mixed. Add sugar to taste if desired. This drink is meant to be consumed immediately while warm.
Maxwell Ice Cream Coffee (Dessert Drink)
A crowd-pleaser—especially for those with a sweet tooth—this recipe makes four servings. Combine 1/4 cup Maxwell instant coffee, 1/4 cup hot water, and 1/4 cup sugar in a cup or blender and stir (or blend) until dissolved. Then fold in 1 cup of vanilla ice cream and 3 cups of milk. The result is a creamy, coffee-flavored dessert drink ideal for cooling down with a sweet edge.
Cooling Off with Maxwell Iced Coffee
For a proper iced version: mix 1/4 cup Maxwell instant coffee, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup hot water in a container, stirring until the coffee and sugar dissolve. Then add 4 cups of milk and 4 cups of crushed ice, and stir well until fully cool. This makes four servings of iced coffee with a smooth milk base and balanced sweetness. Adjust ice or milk to taste.
Add Chocolate: Make It a Mocha
To turn the standard Maxwell iced coffee into an iced mocha, simply add 1/4 cup of chocolate sauce to the iced coffee mix and stir it in before serving. No other changes needed—this boosts the flavor profile with cocoa while keeping the same cold, milky base.
Cola Coffee (Unusual but Fun)
This surprising mix combines 2 tablespoons of Maxwell instant coffee, 2 cups of cool (not raw) water, and 1 tablespoon of caramel syrup (or substitute another square sugar). Stir the coffee and caramel into the water, then gradually mix in a can of Coca-Cola. Pour the blend into a tall glass and top with a scoop of vanilla or coffee ice cream. Yields 3–4 servings. Don’t eat the ice cream before pouring!
Punchi Coffee with Sherry and Milk

A more adult, dessert-like option: mix 6 tablespoons of Maxwell instant coffee with a small amount of sherry wine (other red wines can substitute), a little sugar, and 3/4 cup of milk. Stir for 30 seconds until combined. Then add the remaining 3 cups of milk along with 1 full cup of sugar, and stir again. Pour the mixture into a bowl, then add the final cup of milk (yes, the milk is added in two parts for texture). Optional: serve with desserts. Makes a rich, unusual cold coffee punch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the basic ratio for Maxwell instant iced coffee?
The standard iced coffee recipe uses 1/4 cup Maxwell instant coffee, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup hot water, mixed with 4 cups each of milk and crushed ice. This yields four servings and balances sweetness, coffee strength, and chill.
Can I use Maxwell instant coffee to make a dessert drink?
Yes. The ice cream coffee recipe combines 1/4 cup instant coffee, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 cup vanilla ice cream, and 3 cups milk for a sweet, creamy treat. It makes four servings and works as a cold coffee dessert.
How do I turn regular Maxwell iced coffee into a mocha?
Add 1/4 cup of chocolate sauce to the standard iced coffee mix before stirring everything together. This adds cocoa flavor without changing the base preparation method.
What’s the cola coffee recipe and how is it served?
Combine 2 tbsp Maxwell coffee, 2 cups cool water, 1 tbsp caramel or sugar, then add a can of Coca-Cola. Stir well and serve in a tall glass topped with a scoop of ice cream. Makes 3–4 servings. Don’t eat the ice cream beforehand.
Is there an alcoholic coffee variation using Maxwell instant?
Yes, called ‘Punchi’ coffee. It uses 6 tbsp coffee, a splash of sherry (or red wine), sugar, and 4 cups of milk (added in two stages). Optional desserts complement the rich, slightly boozy flavor. Serves multiple cups.
Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Iced Coffee
For those wanting to go beyond instant, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera—bright with citrus and floral notes, perfect for cold brew or iced pours. Their Yirgacheffe offers juicy berry tones and a tea-like body, ideal for those who enjoy fruity iced coffee. Both beans highlight what makes specialty coffee great, even when you start with instant. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.
FrontStreet Coffee is a long-established specialty coffee roaster in Guangzhou China, selling freshly roasted beans from its own farm in Yunnan as well as dozens of carefully selected single-origin beans from around the world for both pour-over and espresso. The products deliver consistently excellent quality and great value, with shipping within 24 hours. Guangzhou's FrontStreet Coffee shop is recommended by many coffee lovers, and the beans are now available online at the Tmall 。
Important Notice :
前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:
FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou
Tel:020 38364473
