Iced Vanilla Thai Coffee

I am a coffee addict and I cannot imagine life without this quintessential beverage!This drink has supported me,consoled me,congratulated me,lifted my spirits and has become a part of my existence!A cup of this exhilarates me and kicks starts my schedule.I strictly have only one cup in the morning and one cup of (must have) ginger tea in the evening!Though I am not addicted to multiple cups of coffee,yes I am addicted to that one morning cup which should be perfectly made with the right amount of milk and sugar – neither too strong and nor too dilute!

Like all good South Indians (is that an oxymoron…hmmm) I use the filter coffee decoction (traditionally pronounced de-caak-tion) to make my coffee!It is so beautifully fragrant and inspiring to the senses!However I have learnt to be flexible and love a cup of Nescafe as much as its filter coffee cousin!Sometimes I add more than the required quantity of water and I have a leftover decoction which I refrigerate for next day’s quota!These days the heat draws almost every bit of energy and water content from the body and we need to keep ourselves hydrated to beat the heat!I have seen that if I as much as put the cup to my lips for a sip,my face starts perspiring giving me double doubts on having my dose of caffeine early morning!However I sternly tell myself that I need to work up and finish my assignments and this cup is mandatory!

It is the leftovers I am concerned about as it will not taste the same next morning (you can take this as a fussy idiot’s opinion and are always welcome to have your own regarding this) and it would be wasted!It happened once and I had this mini jug of decoction sitting in the refrigerator for 2 days before I added it in a cake.Then I came across this recipe which required a cold coffee decoction!That made me amazed – coffee decoction?Cold?Why?

It turned out that the Thai people make one of the best cold coffees on the planet and when I tried out this beauty,it left me craving for more!I made this once a week remembering to do a mile more for the next day morning walk as the condensed milk calories had to be melted away!I felt a little ashamed of calling myself a pro in coffee making!The Russians make great coffee,the Javans are adept at it while in Cuba it is the talk of the town after Pina Colada!I need to learn more,taste more and experience the versatile tastes of different kinds of coffee to be really a pro at it!

I make the Iced Vanilla Thai Coffee using leftover coffee decoction which has been refrigerated.You need condensed milk plus whole milk/full fat milk/half and half for the base.

You can use fresh decoction as well but everything must be cold and refrigerated before you begin making the coffee.

I have used vanilla bean paste which gives a beautiful flavour but you can use vanilla extract.

If you use leftover filter coffee decoction,strain it through a tea strainer thrice to remove all the fine particles in the liquid.It is fine to use Instant coffee decoction without filtering the same.

This recipe was entered for the  142nd FoodieMondayBloghop where the theme was The Leftovers!

Preparation Time : 15 minutes

Chilling Time : 4 – 5 hours

Makes : 2 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 cup coffee decoction (see notes above)

For filter coffee I use 2 tsp coffee Powder and 1 1/2 cups water.For Instant Coffee it is 1/2 tsp powder for 1 cup of coffee.Adjust according to taste.

For the milk base :

250 ml Condensed milk (approximately 3/4 of a can)

1/2 cup whole milk

1 tsp vanilla bean paste/essence/extract

4 – 5 ice cubes/as required

METHOD

In a jug mix condensed milk,whole milk and vanilla bean paste with a balloon whisk till amalgamated.Chill both milk base and coffee decoction for 4 – 5 hours.

The milk base…with the lovely vanilla bean paste..

The Coffee Decoction…

Serving the coffee :

Divide the milk base between 2 serving glasses.

Pour on the cold decoction to fill 3/4 of the glass.

Add ice cubes and serve with a spoon per glass.

Mix the liquids well and the coffee will take on a lovely light brown colour!Cheers to happiness!