How to Make a Smooth Cup of Iced Coffee and Save Money Not Buying Coffee

I confess; I am hooked on iced-coffee drinks. For those of you who cannot possibly think about giving up your daily iced coffee, possibly consider lower sugar, and cost alternatives. My current coffee addictions are the McDonald's vanilla iced coffee, Starbucks frappuccino with whip cream, and the bottled Starbucks Frappuccino. There is temptation everywhere, even my local gas station; has installed a new iced-coffee machine. Yes, I was tempted to try it.

Picking up coffee drinks a few times a week can be expensive. By making your own iced-coffee drinks, you are in control of the ingredients. You have a say in the amount of calories, fat, and additional processed ingredients you are willing to consume. At a certain point, you may get tired of paying for your coffee. Buying one drink at $2 to $4 daily is $60 to $120 a month, or $720 to $1,440 a year.

Great tasting iced-coffee recipe.

A great tested at home recipe with less calories and refined sugar. Find your favorite brand of quality flavored or plain coffee. For this recipe I used New England Coffee in French vanilla flavor. Some vanilla coffees are very bitter; this brand is great because you can actually taste the vanilla.

If you try this recipe with instant or cheap coffee, the resulting taste may not be as smooth. Pour 6 heaping tablespoons of coffee into your coffee maker. If this drink will be for your morning coffee fix, and you need more caffeine, add more coffee. After your coffee brews, add 6 heaping tablespoons of sugar. You must add the sugar while the coffee is hot. Place your coffee in the fridge overnight or at least a few hours. This makes enough coffee for several cups of iced coffee.

While making your drink, add as much ice as you would like. Pour the coffee, top with half and half, gently swirl. For this recipe I used regular half and half. Low fat half and half may reduce fat and calories.

Buying these wonderful drinks every other day can become an expensive habit. By making this drink at home, you can reduce your intake of refined sugars, and keep a little bit more money in your pocket. By adding sugar to the coffee while it is hot, it will taste sweeter. Trying to add sugar after the coffee cools, will not work. Adding sugar after the coffee is cool, will present the need to add even more sugar to achieve the same taste. I look forward to indulging in my favorite drinks at McDonalds and Starbucks, but for the days I cannot make it there this recipe is great.