Tide You Over Tuesday: Homemade Iced Coffee

by Amanda @ A Few Short Cuts on June 8, 2010

It’s getting hot outside!  While sitting at the beach yesterday with my toes in the sand, I was trying to think…..”What would be a great Tide You Over Tuesday?”  Iced Coffee!

I don’t know about you, but I consider it a treat if I splurge on one of these cups full of iced mocha coffee deliciousness!  Why can coffee places charge $3-$4 a pop for this yummy treat?  Oh, cause we pay for it!  No more my friends!  Let’s start a cheap coffee revolution!

For very minimal effort you can have your very own iced coffee in the morning for pennies!  You can make it plain, mocha, caramel, low fat, soy, you name it! You don’t need any fancy equipment.  In fact, we are going old school.  You just need a mason jar, a strainer, and a coffee filter.  You can even use just regular old coffee.  Eight o’Clock has a great $1 off coupon right now!

I was lucky enough to have Don Fransisco Coffee send me a ton of their new Reserve Blend Coffees!  More on that later! So, get ready to have a $4 coffee for pennies!

Iced Coffee “Home Brewed”

Iced Coffee Printable Version

  • 1 Cup ground coffee
  • 32 ounce container (1 quart)
  • Strainer
  • Large basket type coffee filters

Directions

Place ground coffee in container, fill with cold water.

Cover and let sit for twelve to fifteen hours. Place strainer over large bowl and put coffee filter inside. Slowly pour over about half of the coffee and let sit until strained. Replace filter and repeat.

Sorry I can't pour and photograph at the same time!

To make regular coffee: place equal parts coffee concentrate and water in cup and heat.

To make iced coffee: Place equal parts concentrate and milk in glass. Add ice, sweetened as desired. You may find my preference for iced coffee a bit strong for you so leave room to add some water to weaken it if need be!

I use Hershey’s syrup for Mocha, Caramel syrup for that Carmel Macchiato taste, or just plain with sweetener!  Totally up to you!

To me this tastes just like, if not better than, what you pay for at the coffee shop!  Add the convenience of having it in the comfort of your own PJ’s and it doesn’t get any better!

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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

Katee June 8, 2010 at 12:33 pm

I just love the McDonalds Hazelnut iced coffee…..but being frugal – I have managed to replicate it using the fat free hazelnut flavored liquid creamer – along with sugar free hazelnut syrup I purchased at Sams about $4.99 for a quart bottle.(also found it at World Market)…..I just use the leftovers from the morning….This is not only a cost saver…but better for me than the ones at the Golden Arches!

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Allison June 8, 2010 at 12:55 pm

We’ve started making some ice coffee at home too….I do like your method though…I would have never thought about “brewing” it that way! Thanks :)

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Christy June 8, 2010 at 5:27 pm

You caould also add the flavored creamers that we all get for free or close to free! It tastes just like the stuff you pay so much for just to have some els make it for you.
I am totally addicted!
I will have to try your way of making the coffee consintrate.
Thanks!

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Sara June 8, 2010 at 9:33 pm

I will probably make it in my coffee maker in advance and chill it in the fridge over night. I need it quick in the morning but i’m so glad you posted this because they put a McDonald’s billboard with iced mocha right near my house and I drive past it every day and i’m starting to want to stop and spend the money! I’m going to start making these starting tomorrow. Thanks!

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Renee June 9, 2010 at 7:23 am

Such a great idea!! Love it!

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Margery June 9, 2010 at 9:39 am

Here’s another method if you don’t want to brew coffee. Put 16 oz. water or milk (calcium!) in your blender. Add 2 heaping spoonfuls of instant coffee. Add Hersheys syrup or flavored creamer, and blend away. It comes out nice and frothy. Makes 2 servings. I made this today for my son and myself. So quick and delish!

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CJ June 9, 2010 at 10:25 am

Another great iced coffee tip is to freeze leftover coffee as ice cubes; this helps keep your iced coffee “undiluted”. I keep plain iced coffee in the refrigerator so I can “brew” up whatever flavor or not whenever I feel like a refreshing drink.

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Coupons Make Cents June 10, 2010 at 12:28 am

Thanks for posting this! I too love my coffee. And I have to confess that although I’m a frugal blogger, I spend some of my savings at least once a week at the coffee house. I make my own iced coffee though — just brew regular coffee twice as strong, sweeten it however you’d like, chill overnight, and pour over ice (add cream if you like) in the morning. LOVE IT!!!

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angela June 24, 2011 at 10:13 am

I LOVE iced coffee!! I have started utilizing my leftover pot o’ coffee from the morning. My husband and I brew a pot first thing in the a.m., he takes his thermos for the day and I make my morning hot cup….there is usually about one more cup left which I use right after lunch for my afternoon pick-me-up. WAYYYYY cheaper than starbucks or even mickey d’s!!!

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