A Summer Pick-Me-Up

Although it’s not technically summer just yet (the summer solstice is on June 21 this year), the temperatures here indicate the sunny season is in full swing. We’ve had 90-degree temps all week, and I’ve no doubt that the heat is here to stay. And while I still love a hot cup (or two or three!) of coffee in the morning, summer afternoons leave me wanting a cooler caffeine pick-me-up. But instead of running to Starbucks for an iced coffee, I now prefer to make my own. And I’ve discovered an easy little secret that makes for a fantastic cup of iced coffee!

Those my friends, are coffee ice cubes. And I must say, they make all the difference! I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand watered-down iced coffee. Now, when these coffee cubes melt, they simply infuse more coffee goodness right into that much-needed afternoon drink.

The easiest way to maintain a never-ending supply is to simply pour any remaining coffee from your morning cup of joe into ice trays and freeze. As for brewing your iced coffee, you could put hot-brewed java into the fridge and let it cool, but I prefer to use my French press. Simply add several heaping tablespoons of coffee to the press, top with cold, filtered water, and let it steep in the fridge overnight. If you’d rather make a large batch to sustain your afternoon caffeine needs throughout several weeks, check out Pioneer Woman’s method for perfect iced coffee.

Now fill a glass with your coffee ice cubes, top with your cold-brewed java and add milk/cream and sugar to taste. We purchase raw whole milk, so I mix that goodness right in, add a little raw sugar and then sit back and savor my little pick-me-up. See, I told you it was easy! Enjoy!