First let me say, I just spent three days with some of the most UH-MAZING, talented, generous, hysterical group of women ever. For realz.
I went to Blog Life University in Marietta, Georgia. My very first blogging conference. It was a wonderful experience, and I am already penciling it in for next year. I learned more in those three days of lectures and casually hanging out with other bloggers than I have in five years of sitting down in front of my PC. They were all so willing to share their stories and strategies, how they got where they are now and what it took to get there. They were genuine about wanting others to be successful as well. It was true sisterhood. I am missing them already.
One of our speakers said “You need to surround yourself with people who will truly celebrate your successes”. I really believe these women are those people. It was an honest blessing to be able to attend and make those bonds.
Most of them were Southern Gals. By the end of the three days, they had me saying “Y’all”, eating Chick-Fil-A, and drinking sweet tea. But don’t be fooled by their sweet, southern drawls folks. After learning what “Bless your heart” really means, I think they have a dark side we “yankees” were unaware of.
On the other hand though, I taught them to say “wicked awesome”, “lobstah” and informed them that I didn’t think “Hahvahd has a yahd to pahk a cah” in at all.
I’m going to share more about BLU later, but for now it’s all about coffee. I say that because I learned so much and want to implement all of it right now, that I have decided sleep is overrated. Therefore, I will need more coffee.
Those that know me are aware that I always drink iced coffee. It doesn’t matter how cold it is, that the snow is whipping or that I am standing in an ice skating rink. It’s always iced coffee. I also refuse to drink Dunkin Donuts coffee. Sacrilege, I know! “New England runs on Dunkins!” No thanks, I’d rather drink dish water. I’m a Starbucks girl all the way!
My Starbucks habit can get rather pricey and since there isn’t one every five feet like DD, I make my own.
It does take some time and patience, so a little planning ahead is required, but it is soooooooooo worth it. For $12-$13 for a bag of ground Starbucks coffee, I can have several coffees a day all week long. In the long run, it save time and money. Quite a bit of money actually. At $3.50 a pop, it really adds up.
Let’s not forget because it is cold brewed it doesn’t get bitter and the taste is fresh, robust and delicious all week long, and even longer if you don’t need to have it flowing through your veins 24/7 like I do.
If you are an iced coffee junkie like me, or you want to serve a large group, this is the best way to make it. You’ll thank me.
Cold Brewed Iced Coffee
8-10 qts filtered water
1 lb medium or dark roast premium coffee, coarsely ground (this is my favorite)
2 large containers, 10-12 qts and one needs a cover
In a very large container, I use a 12 qt food storage container from a restaurant supply store, fill with 8-10 qts of cold, filtered water. I use 8 qts and a Starbucks medium roast and I would say it’s fairly strong, but I love my coffee on the dark side.
Pour the entire pound of coffee in and mix it all up good, making sure all the grounds are saturated.
Cover it. Throw it in the fridge and let it steep for at least 12 hours, but no more than 15 or the bitterness will start to come through, and you don’t want that.
When the time is up, pour the coffee sludge slowly through a cheesecloth lined fine sieve over the second container.
Discard the coffee grinds. They can be used in the garden to add nitrogen for plants or turn hydrangeas a gorgeous shade of blue. Don’t just toss them in the trash.
Rinse out the first container and repeat the straining process again with clean cheesecloth or paper towels to get the finer grounds.
Cover and store in the fridge to enjoy whenever, however you want.
Enjoy!
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