I love iced coffee, but hardly ever get it from coffee shops.  I usually make it with leftover coffee that I store in a pitcher in the fridge.  It can get a bit weak and bitter this way though, and I love really strong, smooth coffee.

The New York Times published a recipe for cold-brewed iced coffee that I saw on someones blog recently (I’m sorry, I can’t remember who!) that I had to try.  It’s super easy to make, but a little bit of a pain to strain (but would be simple in a french press).  I can see this method being awesome while camping or anyplace without a coffeemaker.  You can even heat it up for a hot cup if it’s not 85 degrees out. And it makes really great strong coffee that you can dilute to your preferred caffeination level.

Cold-Brewed Coffee in a Jar

• 1/3 Cup medium ground coffee
• 1 1/2 Cups cold water

Mix together in a jar.  Let sit at room temperature over night.  Strain through a coffee filter (or paper towel), repeat if necessary.  Mix equal parts coffee and water (change the proportion depending how strong you want your drink), add soymilk and sweeten, if you want.

EDIT: A very mysterious commenter asked if I could suggest something other than a jar to mix the ingredients in, and I got to thinking that a drink bottle would be a good substitute, maybe even better than a jar since it would be easier to pour through the filter (just be careful when adding the coffee to the bottle).  I use a peanut butter jar right now

This next drink came to me after I had one of those orange juice/san pellegrino concoctions that change my life.  Juicy and bubbly, it was nearly perfect.  Except for the price.  At $6 for a six pack, I’m going to have a hard time justifying that habit.  So here’s my poor mans version, and it tastes pretty good to me.

Fizzy OJ

• Sparkling Mineral Water
• Orange Juice
• Lemon or lime juice

Pour a few tablespoons of OJ into a tall glass or champagne flute, if you’re that type.  Top with mineral water and a few drops of lemon or lime juice.  Garnish with a wedge of citrus fruit, if you’re even more of that type.  Super yum.