My iced coffee is the best iced coffee.

So my battle with coffee vs. tea has been getting a lot of attention lately. Mostly because I think I’m stressed out about job hunting, family issues and general crap we all put up with. I think I’m projecting.

It’s very hot this week, so I thought I’d post about iced coffee. Mine is the best. And it’s easy to make.

First, don’t make your coffee “double strong” like Dunkin Donuts. If you have to do that to make good iced coffee, you make your coffee too weakly! (Kidding, but don’t do it.) Make it about 150% as strong (50% stronger, that is), preferably in a French press. One 8-cup French press/one quart/two pints/one liter/32-33 ounces — this is how much to make.

As a side note, I have found that South American/Mexican coffees work great. Zeke’s Organic/Fairtrade Mexican Chiapas is great. Some Brazilian/Cost Rican would be fantastic.

Take a non-breakable (or Pyrex) receptacle, and put one tray of ice in it. Normal glass might break (I haven’t tried because I don’t want stitches). Dump some sugar onto the ice cubes, in the center. Don’t use that fake crap unless you HAVE to, and don’t use as much as you normally put in your coffee, else you’ll over-do it.

If you’re doing it right (!) and using a French press, go an extra minute from your normal brew time. Whatever your method, pour your brewed coffee slowly over the center of the ice, where you put the sugar. The hot coffee will dissolve the sugar right away and melt most of the ice. Grab a wooden spoon and stir for about a minute to get most of the ice melted. Add cream. Not milk and not Coffeemate. Half&half! Add a good bit, and watch for color. See photos. That is perfect. Stir more.

Add tiny ice cubes to tiny glasses, like the ones shaped like stars I scored at Ikea. Drink away. Or, if you are especially tired, use my tired day method. See above, but use chilled, frosty pint glasses. Chug. Chug Chug.

P.S. I’m not a complete French press snob, I swear. I actually really like instant coffee and have a secret love affair with Nescafe’ — I’m not kidding.