A Genius Way To Make Iced Coffee

With temperatures creeping ever higher, your need for iced coffee increases exponentially. You could shell out cash every morning for your favorite brew, or you could learn this simple trick: make iced coffee with a Keurig machine. Seriously, it's super easy.

Hear me out. There's a certain type of co-worker, your age perhaps, who comes into the office daily carrying a trenta-sized iced beverage from that fancy coffee shop down the street. Meanwhile, as you sit in your cubicle nursing a hot Styrofoam cup of coffee from the kitchen, praying that it kicks in before your boss arrives, you think about asking, "HOW THE HECK DO YOU AFFORD YOUR LIFE?!" to your blessed colleague before storming off for another cup.

Listen, it's going to be alright. If you have a Keurig brewing system at home, or have access to one at work, you can have your iced coffee and drink it too by brewing it yourself.

Once upon a time, if you wanted to make iced coffee, you made a cold brew which required coffee grounds to steep in cold water for at least 12 hours.

Ain't nobody got time for that.

Cold brew is great when you want a batch for the rest of the week. But if you're looking to get your fix as soon as you wake up or walk into the office, making single-servings of iced coffee from a Keurig produces delicious results in half the time. Feel free to customize it by adding in everything from mint leaves, to homemade vanilla syrup and condensed milk... just maybe not all at once.

Get to brewing in these five easy steps.

1. Choose A Basic Brew K-Cup

I'm all about flavored coffee, but I like adding syrups and other ingredients to regular brew to control taste and sweetness levels. I suggest doing the same, and choosing a regular bold or medium K-Cup blend.

2. Think Small, And Double Up

To ensure a strong and flavorful coffee, brew two K-Cups and choose the smallest brew size available. I recommend the 4 oz. option.

3. Add Sugar While Hot

After the coffee is brewed, add your choice of sweetener to the hot beverage; this will allow it to melt and evenly distribute. No one wants to take a big swig of sugar from the bottom of the cup.

4. Refrigerate For 30 Minutes, Or Overnight

This is where some patience comes in. If you were to pour hot coffee over ice, the ice would instantly melt and dilute the beverage. To ensure a cold and strong cup of iced coffee, either prep the evening before and refrigerate overnight, or if making the same day, refrigerate the coffee for at least 30 minutes, cooling it enough so that it won't melt the ice.

5. Add Ice, Milk, And Other Flavorings

Pour the cooled coffee in a nice tall glass, add milk, maybe a flavored syrup, and casually stroll past your trenta-loving co-worker with beverage in tow. Raise your glass, and cheers.

Who's winning now?

Images: Teresa Stanton/Flickr; Taylor Henriquez (5); Giphy