This iced Americano is based on one of the simplest coffee drinks recipes. No time for sophisticated coffee drinks recipes? Well, my husband had to figure out something dead easy for all of us who like drinking coffee but have no time. The basis really is easy. Americano is an espresso-based coffee which is produced by adding hot water to a single shot of espresso coffee. You need an electric coffee maker or a hand pressed coffee machine but these can now be found in almost every home anyway.

Slices of lime and yummy apricots are not just decorative elements but they are key ingredients if you want to make really refreshing iced Americano. The whole thing of using apricots was a pure coincidence. I was whining (yet again) how nobody wants to eat fruits when Milan was just sipping his cup of coffee and decided to calm me down a bit. He ate apricots with his Americano and realized how well they go together. Then he thought a few slices of lime may give an extra kick of refreshing flavors and the rest is history.

What do we need in one of the simplest Americano iced coffee drink ...

Makes: 2 medium glasses

INGREDIENTS:

- 4 slices from a ripe but hard apricot

- 4 lime slices

- 12 ice cubes - crushed (up to 1 inch wide)

- 2 1/2 cup of Americano coffee (chilled)

Method - how to make Americano iced coffee drink:

- Slice the lime and ripe but still hard apricot into thin 1/8 inch (3mm) slices. You will need 2 slices of each per serving.

- Crush 6 ice cubes per serving and place into a glass to secure the lime and apricot slices (12 cubes for two glasses).

- Coffee brewing: make 2 1/2 cups of Americano by first making two shots of espresso (about 1/4 cup per shot or 1/2 cup in total) and adding 2 cups of hot but not boiling water.

- Pour chilled Americano coffee over the ice, decorate with mint leaves, take a long straw and enjoy this wonderfully refreshing iced coffee.