The Pantry Item That Will Make Your Homemade Iced Coffee Taste Like It Came From Starbucks

Iced coffee is a thing of wonder—and a year-round necessity if you ask me. I love picking up a cup from my local coffee shop, but sometimes I don't feel like going, other times I feel like saving some money—and sometimes I want to do both. For those moments, I know that I can elevate my DIY iced coffee any number of ways. A fun new coffee creamer or syrup is a great way to make your at-home iced coffee taste like it came from an expensive coffee shop.

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But there's an easy, one-ingredient addition that makes the cold crispy cup of caffeine nothing short of fancy-tasting, and it's most likely in your pantry. You're already adding it to your chocolate chip cookie dough and brownie batter, now change your life for the better and add vanilla extract to iced coffee.

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Why You Should Add Vanilla Extract to Iced Coffee

• It adds instant flavor. There's a reason why the vanilla iced latte is a top seller at expensive coffee shops. Vanilla extract imparts a warm, creamy, floral flavor that deliciously complements coffee's roasted darkness.

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• It's a no-sugar sweetener.  Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with a sweet coffee, but adding too much sweetener to your drink might make it hard to chug the whole cup. Vanilla extract adds sweetness to iced coffee without adding sugar.

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How Much Vanilla Extract Should You Add to Iced Coffee?

Here's how it's done: Pour your black coffee over ice in a cup. Then, reach for your bottle of vanilla extract. (Maybe channel your inner Ina Garten and make your own vanilla extract). Add a half teaspoon of vanilla to the coffee and give it a good stir. Add in your choice of milk or coffee creamer and sweetener, if desired. I'm personally a fan of vanilla iced coffee with oat milk, but any dairy will work well here.

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Life is too short to drink mediocre coffee. Making a tall glass of iced coffee with vanilla extract is a small way to treat yourself before you take on the day.

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