No matter what the weather is, no matter what time it is - coffee is always a good idea. For some, coffee is a necessity, while for others, coffee is that rewarding drink in the middle of the day.

Whichever way you decide to take this addictive beverage, always remember that moderation is the key. So if you want to cut down on sugar, a creamy but dangerously fattening frappuccino may not be the best idea.

Caffeine has been scientifically proven to be a healthy and beneficial drink. But the things we add to it may be the cause of the problem. The most purist will go for an espresso, black coffee or the Americano. But even the best of us need a little variety from time to time.

After a busy morning or a humid midday workout, I just imagine sipping on a delicious glass of iced coffee. But there must be a healthier alternative to this beloved drink. One that will not hurt the calorie count and the wallet.

Some big-name coffee shops do offer 'healthier' alternatives to iced coffee. But they aren't always affordable. In today's world, we need to cut a little bit of our cost.

So let's stay at home safely and grab that bucket of ice. Let's try these healthy iced coffee recipes at home. The right iced coffee recipe gives us the same caffeine energy, at a fraction of the price. Best of all, we keep our body healthy and fit.

Basic Iced Coffee Ingredients

·     Ice: Even the coldest drink needs ice. So don't skip this step. If you don't want to get your drink watered down, you can borrow your alcohol cabinet's whiskey stone.

·     Milk: This is where most of the fattening comes from. But don't fret, if you don't drink iced coffee, latte, or cappuccino daily, a little bit of full cream milk won't hurt! But if you prefer your coffee with milk every day, invest in healthy alternatives. The options have grown over the years and you can choose from products like almond milk, coconut, rice, soy, or hemp milk.

·     Coffee: the base, the source, the one. No matter how fancy a recipe can be, if the ingredients are no good, it will affect the overall product. With coffee, it's about finding what tastes great for you. There is a wealth of information available for coffee lovers out there. You need to be mindful of the kind of coffee: Arabica or Robusta; and the roast level: medium or dark.

This is the base for your iced coffee recipes. Start with the coffee and allow it to cool before adding ice. Pour the milk over the ice and enjoy!

Excited to get that much-needed pick-me-up? Check out these ingredients:

Iced Vanilla Latte:

Ingredients:

·     Half a cup of vanilla syrup

·     Half a cup of coffee

·     One cup of milk or milk alternative

·     Ice cubes

Honey Cinnamon Iced Latte:

Ingredients:

·     Cold-brew coffee

·     Honey

·     A sprinkle of ground cinnamon

·     Three cinnamon sticks

·     Half a teaspoon of vanilla extract

·     Milk or milk alternative

·     Ice cubes (for the cold version)

Coffee Banana Smoothie

Coffee and Breakfast into one glass? Yes, it's possible!

Ingredients:

·     One banana

·     Two teaspoons of honey

·     Half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon

·     A quarter teaspoon of grated nutmeg

·     One cup of coffee

·     One cup of plain yoghurt

·     Ice cubes

Get your fitspiration and enjoy these healthy drinks!