Adventures in Iced Coffee

This is what working from home looks like. not. 

Truth: the only beverage that I love more than coffee is iced coffee. This year, it just so happens that the warmer weather has coincided with me working from home for the entire month of April. So far it's been no picnic (technology and I are barely on speaking terms right now) but one of the bright spots in my days of being glued to my computer desk (an old sewing machine table, not ideal but a girl manages) has been sipping on glorious home brewed iced coffee.

Now, I have tried various ways to make good iced coffee at home (including sticking the entire hot coffee carafe in the fridge like a lazy bum. not very tasty) but only recently am I finally happy with a method. Has anyone seen The Pioneer Woman on Food Network? Don't worry, no cool points lost if you haven't, I just watch my 'fair share' of TV if you will. I'm not sold on the show since I have very little in common with the blogger/domestic diva/dude ranch dwelling Ree Drummond and to be honest, her rich "down home" recipes border on diabetes-inducing Paula Deen territory. Plus, I'm so much more of an Anthony Bourdain/Travel Channel girl anyway.  However, I am loving me some of Ree's Perfect Iced Coffee. It's genius!

It's a beautiful thing.

The process is stupid simple: mix coffee grounds of choice and water in a container, seal, and let sit out for about 8 hours (the ratio of coffee to water totally depends on your preference). Then, just strain, chill, and drink. I set it out in a jar and use a funnel with a coffee filter in it to strain it into a glass bottle but you could get fancy and use a cheesecloth à la Ree. Then, I grab my tallest thrift store find of a glass, add ice and whatever creamy delicious liquid I have on hand. Last week, it was vanilla almond milk and this week, it's International Delight's Almond Joy creamer because it was on sale and is guilty pleasure delicious. Good ol' pioneer woman drinks hers from a mason jar and sometimes with sweetened condensed milk which is not a bad idea, not a bad idea at all. Thank you, Ree Drummond.

Ready to enjoy.
(straw optional but recommended)

When I go back into the office in May, I will surely be bringing this stuff with me but for now, it is helping me survive here just fine. If you never have made iced coffee at home or have never been completely happy with it when you have, try this now. Everyone knows making coffee at home is a billion times cheaper than going out for it and as an added bonus: you can set it out at night and have it ready in the morning when you roll out of bed! What has also helped my sanity working from home is opening the windows at both sides of my railroad apartment. If you are indoors, even in an office, see if there's a way to prop open a window or two. It's a beautiful day out and you deserve to enjoy it wherever you are, dammit!

And because I got your back, here is a coupon for International Delight Creamer. Don't say I never gave you anything. Cheers!

Top image: Adore Vintage

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