{instant} Iced Coffee

My hubby and I are coffee lovers...but he likes his hot and I like mine cold. (See, opposites really do attract!)  My favorite iced coffee in the whole wide world is from Dunkin' Donuts...blueberry iced coffee with no sugar and extra cream.  It is divine!!  BUT, I gotta tell you, this homemade version is a very close second!

For years I've made my iced coffee by brewing a cup at night and then sticking it in the fridge until the next morning.  I've even tried the Pioneer Woman method with the concentrated coffee syrup and while it was okay, it took up valuable refrigerator space.  

The great thing about this recipe is that I can have it whenever I want to.  You know, like in the afternoon when all the kids are having quiet time or taking nap and I get to have a few minutes to chill!  Fabulous!!

Here's what you need....instant coffee granules (don't shudder), half and half, sugar and vanilla extract.  Well, you don't need the vanilla, but I like it! =)

See this little jar of instant coffee?  It's $1.99 at Aldi.  It seriously is the best instant decaf I've ever had...and I've even had those little starbucks packets! And I drink decaf only because if I have the caffeine I start getting all shaky and have heart palpitations and all kinds of fun stuff.  So yeah, I just stick with decaf. =D

Take a jar ( I love drinking out of mason jars!) and fill it with 1/2 cup of water and add 2-3 tsp. of instant coffee.  I like my coffee strong, so you might want to start with less.  

You wanna know what my hubby says?  "There is no such thing as strong coffee, just weak people."  Cracks me up!

 After you give it a good stir, add some sugar (or whatever sweetener you prefer) and stir it up some more.  ( I usually use a scant teaspoon.)

But instead of sugar you could add some coffee syrup for a special flavor.  I picked this coconut one up on clearance for a dollar at Sam's club, but they have a huge selection there of flavors and they are about $4 for a big bottle.  But usually, I just add a drop or two of vanilla extract. =)

 Next, fill your cup with ice...

...and add some half and half.  You could use milk, but it's SUPER yummy with half and half.  Just close your eyes and pretend it's skim milk...your taste buds will thank you...but your hips will not.  (ahem)

Just don't be like me and take a picture and pour it all over the counter, okay? (I'm such a klutz!)

And there you have it, a delicious Iced Coffee in about two minutes! 

And if you wanted, you could kick it up a notch and make it all pretty with whipped cream and chocolate syrup....

 But then again, don't try to make it too pretty because it's just gonna look like this in about 30 seconds, lol!

So next time you REALLY want iced coffee,  just whip one up yourself for a fraction of the cost of buying one.  It's quick, cheap and most important, delicious!  

Are you an iced coffee lover like me or do you like it hot?  Have you ever tried making your own iced coffee?

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