I swore I'd never do it, but I just couldn't help myself!

When I started my blog, I swore to myself that I would not post any recipes for great Aunt Gig's pickled beets or baby shower punch (yuck!) or anything like it. I would only write goofy stories because after all, I am very goofy. But with the relentless Texas heat weighing on me I guess my brain cooked a little and I am breaking my promise.  

This is a recipe I found for iced coffee. Seeing as how it's a steamy 300 degrees outside, I needed a refreshing drink that was different from the usual iced tea, iced water, soda pop, or (gasp) even cold beer which is my all time favorite beverage so here goes.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground Coffee (good, Rich Roast)
• 8 quarts Cold Water
• Half-and-half (healthy Splash Per Serving)
• Sugar
• Or: Sweetened Condensed Milk (2-3 Tablespoons Per Serving)
• Note: Can Use Skim Milk, 2% Milk, Whole Milk, Sugar, Artificial Sweeteners, Syrups...adapt To Your Liking! But the real deal is the best. You can save calories by not eating 34 chocolate chip cookies with your iced coffee.

Preparation Instructions

In a large container, mix ground coffee with water. Cover it and allow it to sit at room temperature eight hours or overnight (if you can wait that long).
Line a fine mesh strainer preferably with cheesecloth (but paper towels will do in a pinch) and set over a pitcher or other container. Pour coffee/water mixture through the strainer, allowing all liquid to run through. Once the liquid has passed through, you can take a spoon and squish the remaining liquid gold out. Discard the grounds. They look really gross. 
Place coffee liquid in the fridge and allow to cool. If you don't, when you pour it over ice, it'll get diluted. 
To make iced coffee, pack a glass full of ice cubes. Fill glass 2/3 full with coffee liquid. Add a healthy splash of half-and-half. Add 1-15 tablespoons of sugar depending on how sweet you like it. (You can use sweetened condensed milk in place of the sugar for a slightly different taste) and stir to combine. Taste and adjust half-and-half and/or sugar or sweetened condensed milk as needed.
Then, sit back and enjoy. You'll be hooked. I promise!