Vanilla Iced Coffee (Really, Really, Close to Starbucks)

I am completely and utterly addicted to Starbucks.  I am not going to admit how many times a week I go there.  Seriously, it is shameful.  Especially when you think of how much those drinks cost... ugg!  Time to rein it in, Molly.

So I started making my own iced coffee to drink on the way to work.  It is not exactly what I order at Starbucks but it is pretty darn close, a whole lot cheaper, and even Organic!  Three (good) strikes!

There are three components to the iced coffee:  Coffee, Vanilla Syrup, Creamer.

The Coffee

I start by cold brewing a gallon of coffee at a time.  Seriously... a gallon.  Cold brewing is really easy.  Take a pound of ground coffee mix it with a gallon of cold water, let it sit, covered, for 12-24 hours. Strain out the coffee grounds, put the coffee in the refrigerator.

 The Vanilla Syrup

To make the vanilla syrup (a vanilla flavored simple syrup) all you need to be is to combine 2 cups of water, with 2 cups of sugar, and one vanilla bean (slice the bean down the middle so all the vanilla specks will come out) in a  pan.  Heat and stir until all the sugar is dissolved, and then heat for a few more minutes (maybe 10 in all).  Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

The Creamer

Combine 1 can of condensed milk with one can of evaporated milk (full fat or fat free makes no difference).  Store in airtight container in the fridge.

To Make the Iced Coffee (all amounts can be adjusted to taste)

1. Put some ice in a glass
2. Pour in a little of the vanilla syrup
3. Pour in the iced coffee
4. Top off with creamer
5. Stir
6. Enjoy!