Iced coffee is a welcome refresher that is worth making carefully. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare your icy brew:

• For a full-flavored pot of iced coffee, double the amount of ground coffee you would normally use to brew hot coffee. For an added flavor kick, try vanilla or hazelnut ground coffee.
• After brewing, add ice until the mixture doubles in volume, then add milk, cream or sugar to taste.
• Brew your coffee in the evening and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for quick and easy access in the morning.
• As with hot coffee, always start with the highest-quality fresh coffee beans.
• Keep coffee beans at room temperature and use quickly.
• Grind your coffee just before brewing; pre-grinding may cause your coffee to get stale. The grind level should match your coffee brewer or individual taste; finer grind coffee yields a stronger flavor, while coarse grind will yield a weaker flavor.
• Store unused ground coffee in an airtight container that is not see-through, in a cool, dry place, away from heat or sunlight, and not in the refrigerator or freezer.