Following a low calorie, healthy diet can be hard. Even with the weekly cheat days, there are easy days and difficult days. When I get hungry and it’s not yet time to eat, I think of things I can drink.  Low and no calorie drinks get me through those hunger pangs.  My simple little daily treats are tea, seltzer, coconut water, and…iced coffee!  I love iced coffee. The problem with iced coffee is that it’s sooo good that I suck it down in a matter of seconds.  This can be a very expensive habit.  To ease my hunger pains and to ease the pains in my wallet, I’ve learned to make good iced coffee at home.  Sorry Starbucks!

The only way to make iced coffee is to cold brew.  It has to sit overnight, but it’s easy to make. The ratio I use is 4 parts water to 1 part coffee.   I like it strong, so I usually add a couple extra scoops of love. Start with clean, cold water.  Here, I used two quarts of water.

There are four cups in a quart, right?  Eight cups of water, using the 4:1 ratio equals two cups of ground coffee.  Add the coffee to the water and stir to combine.  The coffee will sit on top.  Once the coffee and water are combined,  let it steep overnight.  You can leave it in the fridge, but I think I get a stronger brew if I leave it out at room temperature.

The following day, strain the coffee mixture.  You’ll need a fine mesh strainer.

Line the strainer with a large coffee filter.  A couple of paper towels will work too.

I like to strain mine into a big pot.

Pour the coffee mixture into the strainer.  Once the strainer is full, allow it to drain.  Repeat this step several times until all of the coffee mixture is strained. 

Pour the strained coffee into a pitcher.  Store in your fridge for up to five days. I like to add 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk. (only 10 calories).  Sometimes, if I really need a treat, I’ll add a packet of stevia.  I try and avoid artificial sweeteners and diet drinks.  The jury is still out when it comes to stevia, however, so I’ll make an occasional exception.

ICED COFFEE RECIPE:

2 cups plus a couple of heaping tablespoons ground coffee

2 quarts clean, cold water

Procedure:

Add coffee to water and stir to combine.  Let coffee mixture sit overnight.  Strain into a fine mesh strainer lined with a large coffee filter or paper towel. Pour strained coffee into a pitcher or other container.  Keep in the fridge for up to five days.

ALMOND MILK ICED LATTE

1 1/2 cups iced coffee

1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 stevia packet

Fill a medium sized glass with ice.  Add iced coffee, almond milk, and stevia. Stir and enjoy. Only 10 calories!