Iced Vanilla Coffee

Several years ago...I would say at least ten...The Mailman and I were on vacay in the Seattle area.  We ran into a grocery store to pick up some road food...and stumbled across Starbuck's Frappuccino's...you know, the ones in the four-pack that look like little milk bottles.  Now, this was WAY before there was a Starbuck's on every corner.  In fact, I would venture to say that the majority of Hoosiers had never even HEARD of Starbuck's.  Intrigued, we bought a four-pack...and an addiction was born.

Upon our return home, I was devastated to discover that our grocery stores did not carry these little yummies.  Sadly and eventually, I forgot about them.  Until a couple of years later...at the Kroger's...there they were!  Well, I snapped them right up...and before I knew it...I had a two-pack a week habit!  Now, as good as these are...they contain terrifying amounts of sugar...and at six to seven dollars a pop, they were breaking our food budget.  I knew I had to change my ways.  So...I decided to make my own!

Here's my recipe:

Brewed coffee (I like Starbuck's Breakfast Blend)
Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup
Heavy Whipping Cream
Little glass bottles with lids...saved from when I used to drink the "real" stuff!  

(Please excuse the dead-heads in the background.  The mosquitoes have me cornered in the house...too chicken to go out and tend the garden.)

Pour 2 Tbsp of vanilla syrup and 2 Tbsp of cream into each bottle...and fill the remainder up with coffee.  Put on the lids...shake and refrigerate.  Serve over ice and enjoy every sip!

My 12-cup coffee maker makes enough for 7 of these...which should last me a week...but usually doesn't!

My Father-In-Law calls this "counterfeit coffee"...but I actually like mine better than the real thing.  They're more coffee-y...and so much healthier!


The little bottles make them perfect to "grab and go."  If I'm going out of town, I always take one with me to sip in the car.

 
Of course...you'll need something to enjoy WITH your coffee...and one of my favorite go-with's are these "Coconut Macaroon Muffins."  You can find the recipe here.  They're low-carb...full of healthy fats...and absolutely delish!


Happy Caffeine-Friday, my friends!