I’m not sure how I became the spokesperson for all things Iced and Coffee, but I LOVE the stuff so much that it just seems fitting. Even in times when I’m seriously counting calories, I carefully budget (and measure) in my one Iced Coffee per day.

There are basically two major ways to make Iced Coffee. By the pitcher, and by the glass. I prefer by the glass, but I’m going to give you instructions for what goes into both. You should not, I repeat should not take hot or warm-ish coffee, pour it over ice, add sugar and call it a day. The coffee will melt the ice, and you will end up with a nice glass of tepid, watery coffee. Not good. But try one of these and I might just make a believer out of you! (those of you who know how to do this, please excuse the step by step instructions.) 

Iced Hazelnut Coffee (Large Batch)

(Great if you can consume it within a few days.)

• One large 8-cup pot of strong brewed Hazelnut coffee (or any flavor you like– check out the Fresh Market for some excellent flavors!– My current favorite is Hazelnut– )

• Sugar (to taste… start with about a quarter of a cup for 8-cup pot)

• Milk (I like to use a bit of half and half to make it slightly rich and then the rest 2% or Whole Milk)

Pour the coffee in a large pitcher, add sugar and stir. Add Milk until it’s the desired color you like. Taste for sweetness, add more sugar if needed. Stir again until sugar is disolved and then place in the fridge for several hours or overnight. Serve over lots of ice in a glass, if you have a a mason jar, even better. 

Keep in mind, whenever you have a partial pot of coffee left over in the morning, don’t throw it out!!! You can do this and have a delicious treat the next morning instead of having to talk yourself out of swinging by Starbucks!!! This is WAY more cost effective and you can drink it in your P.J.’s!!!

Method 2: Making a Coffee Concentrate.

I make up (or more accurately, my moonlighting barista husband makes up) a small batch of very strong coffee. He makes his daily coffee on the strong side anyway, so I can basically take that, chill it and it makes perfect iced coffee. But usually, we will make a batch of strong coffee, either by french press, espresso pot, or in the regular old coffee pot. There is also this method of Cold Brewing your coffee. It’s pretty good too.

Step 1: Brew your Strong Coffee and place it in the fridge over night or for at least a few hours.

Step 2: Prepare your Sweetener, usually a Simple Syrup like this one. I always do 1:2 ratio of water to sugar. Raw Sugar works nicely too. I recommend keeping this in the fridge, if you don’t want to, buy it. At times, I will visit my friendly neighborhood Starbucks, and they will sell me a large bottle of flavoring syrup in Vanilla, or Hazelnut or whatever for around $8.00. (Reasonable vs. several lattes at said Coffee Shop.) And no refrigeration needed.

Step 3: Using a small glass, preferably a different one than you will drink from, measure out the concentrate you want. Add your syrup to taste. Add a small splash of half & half and then add a bit of milk until you reach your desired color. Pour into another glass full of ice and Enjoy!

I like this method especially for entertaining because others can truly customize it to their tastes.

Now grab yourself an Iced Coffee, a muffin (or a cookie!) and a good book!