Cold Brewed Iced Coffee

This girl loves coffee…Nothing like Iced Cold Coffee on a warm summer day! I love the taste of those cute little iced coffee bottles… you know the ones…. you buy them in 4 packs…and they costs LOTS of  money $$!

How to Make Creamy Iced Coffee

While I LOVE the flavor of the cute little bottled coffee…I do NOT enjoy the price. Then I discovered  how to cold brew coffee and have enjoyed it this way for the past two summers.  If you enjoy iced coffee you have to try it…

Cold Brewed Iced Coffee brought to you by Life After Empty Nest. Best Iced Coffee you'll EVER make at home!

I used to drink the left over coffee pot coffee.  Threw a few ice cubes in it and I was good to go….but truthfully, I didn’t enjoy the bitter aftertaste.

If you cold-brew ~ you will enjoy a smooth, acid-free coffee base PERFECT for a refreshing cold drink…and the cream…wait until you taste the cream!!

Cold Brewed Iced Coffee is Easy to Make 

Cold Brewed Iced Coffee brought to you by Life After Empty Nest. Best Iced Coffee you'll EVER make at home

 

Cold Brewed Iced Coffee brought to you by Life After Empty Nest. Best Iced Coffee you'll EVER make at home

Ingredients

  • gallon of drinking or spring water
  • coffee – I buy whole bean and grind it coarsely (12 oz)
  • can of evaporated milk
  • can of sweetened condensed milk

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

Pour some of the water out of the gallon container into a pitcher. (you’ll add it back later) Use a funnel and pour the whole package of coffee into the gallon jug.  I usually stop twice, put the lid back on, and give it a shake.

Cold Brewed Iced Coffee brought to you by Life After Empty Nest. Best Iced Coffee you'll EVER make at home

After all of the coffee has been added I pour as much of the water I removed back in. The I shake it up and wait….

As put best by Tom Petty…”The waiting is the hardest part” This baby has to brew…yes..walk away and let it do its thing!! I usually brew for about 12 to 24 hours.  (I prepare it in the evening and strain in the morning)

Filtering the Coffee

This takes time…filtering the coffee so you get rid of the grounds (don’t want those floating around in this yummy iced coffee)

I use a fine mesh strainer and coffee filters.  (you could also use cheese cloth) I change the coffee filter a few times during filtering.  This is a SLOW process, but be patient…it is WORTH it!!

I pour enough to fill the strainer and then go do something else, then I come back and add more every few minutes.  Now is a fantastic time to make the CREAMER!

Iced Coffee Creamer

Pour the Evaporated and Sweetened Condensed Milk together and mix.  I use this old fashioned milk carafe (that I am obsessed with) and shake.  

Cold Brewed Iced Coffee brought to you by Life After Empty Nest. Best Iced Coffee you'll EVER make at home

After you have strained the coffee you are ready for a glass of the BEST ICED coffee you’ve ever had!!
First Add Ice

Cold Brewed Iced Coffee brought to you by Life After Empty Nest. Best Iced Coffee you'll EVER make at home

 Then Coffee Base

Cold Brewed Iced Coffee brought to you by Life After Empty Nest. Best Iced Coffee you'll EVER make at home


 Top with Cream Mixture

Cold Brewed Iced Coffee brought to you by Life After Empty Nest. Best Iced Coffee you'll EVER make at home

 

Enjoy Your Iced Coffee in a Favorite Summertime Spot

Cold Brewed Iced Coffee brought to you by Life After Empty Nest. Best Iced Coffee you'll EVER make at home

Store the coffee and creamer in the fridge for up to a month…. mine won’t last quite that long. 
Now I’m off to enjoy a glass by the pool…while my pups swim!

Are you going to try this? 
Let me know what you think!! Delicious Iced Coffee for a fraction of the cost!! 

More Yumminess UPDATE – Love Coffee + Chocolate ??? Make it a MOCHA! Click here to read how!

Thanks for reading!
xoxo

About The Author

sharon.kasica

COMMENT

  1. Selene @ Restoration Beauty | 15th Jul 13

    I am so giving my hubby this recipe!! He loves making iced coffee each summer and I'm sure he'd like to try something new! Thanks for sharing!
    Selene @ Restoration Beauty

  2. Gail | 15th Jul 13

    Just how much coffee are you adding to the jug? I read the directions a few times… didn't see the amount anywhere.

  3. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 15th Jul 13

    Let me know how he likes it Selene!
    Thanks for reading!
    xoxo

  4. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 15th Jul 13

    Sorry Gail. I use the whole package of coffee. (12 oz) Start with your favorite coffee and use the whole thing!!
    It depends on your taste. You can adjust the amount the next time if you feel like it was too strong.
    Enjoy!
    xoxo

  5. Wendi @ H2OBungalow | 15th Jul 13

    Oh Yummm, I have to try this! I'm an iced coffee fan all summer long and haven't seen a recipe with the condensed milk. Thanks for sharing 🙂

  6. Audra @ Renewed Projects | 16th Jul 13

    I look forward to trying this! I like to make decaf iced coffee for the afternoon heat. The creamer looks delicious!

  7. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 16th Jul 13

    Wendi…you will LOVE it!!
    Let me know!!
    xoxo

  8. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 16th Jul 13

    I think I'll try the next batch with decaf. I enjoy it in the afternoon as well…been staying up late these hot summer nights!
    The creamer is…Yum-O!
    xoxo

  9. Unknown | 17th Jul 13

    This coffee sounds great. My husband loves iced coffee, I'll have to make this for him sometime. Pinning to try! I'd love for you to share this on my Sweet Tooth Tuesdays blog link party!!

    http://sarahlynnssweets.blogspot.com/2013/07/sweet-tooth-tuesdays-10.html

  10. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 17th Jul 13

    Thanks for the invite Sarah! (and the pin!)
    I think your hubby will LOVE it!!
    I hop over and join the party!!
    xoxo

  11. The GypsyNesters | 18th Jul 13

    Great idea, kind of like sun tea.

  12. Unknown | 18th Jul 13

    Oh my gosh, I am nearly an addict to those cute iced coffees as well, and have resorted to making some coffee cubes (found on Pinterst). But never heard of cold brewing before. Sounds like the perfect solution for me on the weekends – when I hate drinking hot coffee while getting errands done.
    Thank you so much for sharing this! I'm your newest follower!

  13. ThreeDawgLady | 18th Jul 13

    This sounds awesome….new follower on Bloglovin!
    Deborah
    http://www.threedawgladydesigns.blogspot.com

  14. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 18th Jul 13

    It is kinda like sun tea…I bet it would brew faster in the sun….hmmmm, now you have me thinking Gypsy Nesters!!
    xoxo

  15. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 18th Jul 13

    Ali…I love your enthusiasm! Can't wait till you make it…You HAVE to let me know what you think!!
    It tastes just like those little bottles….just wait!!!
    Let me know if you agree!
    xoxo

  16. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 18th Jul 13

    Thanks Deborah! It is AMAZINGLY Yummy!!
    xoxo

  17. Lily @ Life, Love, and Cupcakes | 19th Jul 13

    Cold brew coffee seriously changed my life..I'm obsessed! The filtering part can get a little tedious, and I often end up making a mess of the kitchen, while my boyfriend rolls his eyes..but it's so worth it and really simplifies my mornings! I usually just mix with half and half..but maybe one weekend morning I'll have to try this! 😉

  18. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 19th Jul 13

    I agree…the filtering can be tedious but worth it!
    Try the cream…I just bought nonfat evaporated and sweetened condensed milk last night. Trying that this weekend…watching my girlish figure! : )
    xoxo

  19. Successful Secrets | 19th Jul 13

    Although I don't drink coffee, with my busy schedule every once in a while I'll stop in at McDonalds and grab me a Frappe (I feel they make the best), but I hate those calories! This seems like a great alternative. I have been looking all over the internet trying to find a recipe I like and this one looks fabulous! Can't wait to try it. Oh I have seen where people use coffee cubes (frozen coffee) so it don't water down the taste.

  20. Cindy Eikenberg, Little Miss Celebration | 20th Jul 13

    Sharon, this iced coffee looks just perfect! Thank you so much for joining us and sharing at Best of the Weekend! Pinning to our party board and hope you will join us again next week. Have a fantastic weekend!

  21. Unknown | 20th Jul 13

    This looks great. I've heard of cold brewed coffee but never really knew how it worked. I definitely have to try this my husband and I love iced coffee.

  22. Theresa | 20th Jul 13

    I've never seen it made this way. Is your water cold? I am assuming so. I love coffee! & sipping on an iced coffee as I type. Thanks for sharing last week @DearCreatives sorry I didn't get by sooner.

  23. Unknown | 20th Jul 13

    I love cold brewed coffee… even better then hot brewed. I make mine in my french press pot. works like a charm. Now I just need to start making my own coffee creamers and I am set. Found you over at the Best of the Weekend Link Party

  24. Unknown | 20th Jul 13

    Great post. I just did a post for Seattle's Best too, and I definitely wanted to come visit to see your take. Love it. Jodi @ http://www.meaningfulmama.com

  25. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 20th Jul 13

    Thanks Jodi! Sorry I missed your give away. I'll be on the look out for the next one!
    xoxo

  26. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 20th Jul 13

    You have to try it this way Theresa! You will LOVE it. Very smooth when brewed this way.
    The water is not cold, it is room temp. I buy a jug from the store and make it when I get home. I only refrigerate after it is done brewing and I have strained it.
    I think it is called cold brewed just because you never use heat.
    Thanks for hosting! I enjoy linking up with you!
    xoxo

  27. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 20th Jul 13

    Great idea to use the french press! I may strain that way next time!! Going to make another jug this weekend…hmmm

    Yes, PLEASE make the creamer…I tried buying both the milks fat free and it was just as yummy without ALL the FAT!
    Thanks for stopping by!
    xoxo

  28. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 20th Jul 13

    Thanks for hosting Cindy! Love the "Best of the Weekend" Party!
    I appreciate the "pin" and of course I'll be back!! : )
    xoxo

  29. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 20th Jul 13

    Let me know what you think after you try it Joy!
    My friend hosted a luncheon yesterday and served the iced coffee!
    It was a BIG HIT!
    xoxo

  30. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 20th Jul 13

    I hope you try it Jodi. After you make a glass, you could always put it in the blender with some ice to get the Frappe consistency.
    Let me know what you think if you decide to try it!
    xoxo

  31. Emily Thompson | 20th Jul 13

    oh that seriously looks amazing!! I love iced coffee and cold brew is the best!!! thanks for linking up to nap-timecreations.com Tasteful Tuesday party. You are being featured today in a summer fun round up. I would love for you to come on over and check it out. Feel free to spread the word of the round up on your favorite social media :o) Thanks!

  32. Unknown | 21st Jul 13

    This sounds delicious! I have never tried cold brew before–now I'm intrigued. I'll have to give it a try!
    xoxo
    Michelle@ Ya Gotta Have a Hobby

  33. Unknown | 21st Jul 13

    I have a sign in my kitchen that reads I like a little bit of coffee with my cream! So true. I love this recipe! Pinning to my C'mon have a Drink Board. I love the use of the evaporated milk since that is what I use on mine everyday!

  34. Vanessa | 14th Aug 13

    My hubby found your blog and this recipe (I don't even know how he found it, connecting links, I think, haha!) I just made it and it's SOOO GOOD!!! Thank you!!!

  35. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 14th Aug 13

    Well your hubby is amazing! So glad he found me and that you LOVE the iced coffee! Thanks for letting me know you loved it! Made my day!
    xoxo

  36. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 14th Aug 13

    I should own that sign Lizbeth!! Thanks for the "pin"
    xoxo

  37. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 14th Aug 13

    It is amazing how different the cold brewed tastes! Can't wait to hear what you think Michelle!
    xoxo

  38. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 14th Aug 13

    Emily you made my day!! So excited for the feature! I did shout it from every media option!!
    xoxo

  39. Unknown | 16th Aug 13

    I'm confused as to why you need to add water to the coffee? Can I just brew ground coffee in my coffee pot, cool it off in the fridge, and then add the creamer, since the coffee in the pot is already made with water? Then I wouldn't have to filter?

  40. Marti @ SewLicious Home Decor | 16th Aug 13

    Sounds so yummy! I'd love for you to link this up at SEW licous Home Decor party! I do FB and newsletter features! http://sewlicioushomedecor.com/saturday-show-licious-craft-showcase-44/

    Marti

  41. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 16th Aug 13

    Great question Stephanie! The answer is in the taste. When you cold brew it doesn't have any after taste or bitterness. It is hard to explain but it is very smooth. Believe me if it tasted the same I wouldn't go through the work of straining it. Another reader (Marlys above) suggested after it brews strain using a French Press. I tried it and it was so easy. thanks to her that is how I strain it now.
    Hope you'll try it and see how yummy it is!
    xoxo

  42. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 16th Aug 13

    Thanks for the invite Marti! I'll link up!
    xoxo

  43. Marti @ SewLicious Home Decor | 18th Aug 13

    Thanks for sharing this…you were featured this week at SEW licious Craft Showcase.

    http://sewlicioushomedecor.com/show-licious-craft-showcase-link-party-46/

    Marti

  44. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 18th Aug 13

    Thanks Marti! You just made my day!
    xoxo

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