I have a coffee addiction.

No matter what time we leave the house or where we go, it involves an iced coffee.  Whether it’s the Starbucks frappuccinos that you can purchase from the refrigerated section at Walmart, an iced mocha from Sheetz, or one of the many flavored iced coffees from either Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts – I purchase these things on the regular.

That’s a lot of money.  Especially when they are, on average, $4.00 a drink. Also, if we’re going to make a budget and stick to it, I really don’t think spending $28.00 a week on drinks is okay.

So, a couple years ago my dad started making a cold brew.  He used a large bowl my mother owns and poured a gallon of water and [I think a pound of] coffee.  He let it steep for about 24 hours and then he would go about the tedious task of straining all the grounds, and funneling the coffee into a gallon jug.  Over the years, he’s perfected this process, but I have not.  Not even close.

That’s where the French press comes in.  I received this as a Christmas gift 2 years ago and have yet to use it – until recently.  It’s so easy!  You literally just put 1.5 cups of water in and 3 scoops of coffee (it comes with it’s own scoop) and let it chill in the fridge overnight. By morning, you push the press down, pour, and doctor it up however you’d like.

So simple.

Cold Brew Coffee:

makes 12 oz * total cost: $0.16

• 1 1/2 c water
• 3 scoops (or 4 tbsp) of ground coffee (I use Folger’s dark roast) – $0.16

Scoop coffee grounds into container, pour 1 1/2 c water over top and place in fridge.  If you don’t own a French press, you can use a mason jar, but you’ll need a fine mesh strainer in order to trap the grounds when you pour it into your glass.

 

So, now on to the good stuff.

An iced cinnamon vanilla latte.  All you need for this is some cold brewed coffee, this simple syrup, and some half & half (or milk).

Cinnamon Vanilla Simple Syrup

makes about 1 1/4 cup * total cost: $1.11

• 1 c water
• 3/4 c sugar – $0.36
• 1/4 c brown sugar – $0.12
• 3 cinnamon sticks – $0.42
• 1 tsp vanilla extract – $0.21

In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugars and cinnamon sticks.  Simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes until all of the sugar is melted.  Remove from heat and pour in the teaspoon of vanilla extract.  Allow to cool before pouring into an air-tight  bottle.  It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 months (but is it really going to last that long?)

Iced Cinnamon Vanilla Latte

makes 1 serving * total cost: $0.33

• 12 oz cold brew coffee – $.016
• 1 tbsp cinnamon vanilla simple syrup $0.05
• 2 tbsp half & half – $0.12
• ice (optional)

Pour coffee into a glass, then add the simple syrup and half & half.  Mix and enjoy!

 

$2.36 a week.  I can deal.  Now how do I make a Monster energy drink from home?