My Version Of Iced Coffee

Many years ago, when I lived in Stoughton Wisconsin, there was a coffeehouse named Java Junction.  They had a frozen coffee drink called a "Big Train".  I really enjoyed them, but I didn't have one very often.  They were loaded with calories. Years ago I found the powdered mix, but it was expensive.   I tried to make them at home with less calories but always failed.  They were usually tasteless and icy.  I kind of forgot about them until recently.  My daughters told me that they really enjoyed Mcdonald's iced coffee.  Last week we stopped in, and I bought one.  I got the sugar free vanilla.  It had 90 calories and tasted delicious.  It was similar in taste to the Big Train without the frozen ice cream shake texture.  I went home and tried again.  I think I came up with a good iced coffee that was decaffeinated and sugar free.  Many of you may already do this, but I am really enjoying this refreshing drink.

Iced Coffee

2 quarts of cold water
4 oz. of ground coffee (I measured and 4 oz. is about 1 1/2 cups)

I bought good decaf coffee.

Put the ground coffee into a pitcher of cold water.  Stir it up and sit it out at room temperature for eight hours or overnight.  The key to this recipe is to use very strong coffee.  I would always use cold brewed coffee, and the ice would water it down too much.

The 2 quart pitcher I used.

In the morning, I took a sieve and lined it with coffee filters.  I didn't want any coffee grounds sneaking through.  Cheese cloth would work too.  Slowly I poured the coffee through.

Filtering the coffee grounds out.

The finished liquid is a very concentrated strong coffee.  I poured it into 2 one quart jars and stored them in the refrigerator.

Strong coffee concentrate.

I filled the glass with ice.

Fill the glass 3/4 full with the coffee concentrate.

 
At this point, if you like your coffee with cream and sugar.  Just prepare it that way.  I bought some delicious sugar free caramel macchiato coffee creamer.  It only has 15 calories for a tablespoon.  I guess you can sweeten as much as you wish.  I drink my hot coffee black, but I need the iced coffee to be sweet.  I used 2 tablespoons of creamer.   If you like coffee, this is a great treat.  It doesn't have to be iced.  Just add some water to this concentrate and heat it up.  You can have a quick cup of hot coffee.