ICED COFFEE IN THE HILLS OF DONEGAL

Richard and Olivia Finney are owners of The Counter in Letterkenny; a wine shop, deli and cafe. Their love of coffee has led them down the rabbit hole to setting up their own roastery. Richard trained with the world’s foremost coffee roasting consultant from California for two years and has taken speciality coffee to the hills of Donegal and beyond. Here he shares his recipe for a delicious blended ice coffee, perfect for entertaining outdoors this summer:

Ingredients:

• Milk – we’re blessed in Donegal to have some of the finest green pastures which deliver superb dairy products! We love Donegal Creameries but use whatever type of milk you prefer.
• 1 x tin condensed milk
• 10 x double shots of espresso coffee
• Bag of ice
• Iced drinks blender

Method:

• Pour ten double shots of espresso into a container.
• Pour the tin of condensed milk into the espresso, mix with a spoon and keep chilled.
• When ready to make the drinks, take the condensed milk mixture out of the fridge. Using a large shot glass, pour one shot glass of the mix into the blender. Then add two large shots of milk in with it along with a glass of ice to the blender.
• Blend together until it’s the right consistency – nice and smooth.
• If you want to make a caramel or vanilla version, just add the syrup before blending it all together.
• Sip, savour and enjoy.

Five years ago, in 2016, Richard and Olivia were announced the winners of Best Start Up Business at the Donegal Business Awards. Their business, The Counter Deli, began as a wine shop franchise, until they diversified into an independent wine and artisan food shop, with the addition of a coffee shop and food offering. See www.thecounterdeli.com