Iced Coffee with Vanilla Bean Coffee Ice Cubes Recipe (2024)

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Laos has been a completely different experience than Vietnam — an observation that may seem obvious, but that we honestly weren't quite prepared for. It's quiet! It's relaxed! It's downright charming! Having never spent time in SE Asia, neither of us had any idea about the differences between countries here. Are they similar, or completely different? Does the food crossover? Language? Customs? Geography? It's such a departure from growing up in the US, where most states are as big (if not bigger) than many of the countries here in SE Asia — yet vary relatively little from state to state. I realize that's a gross overstatement — I would never claim Oregon and Florida to be similar — but as a whole, the variations are slight. As I write that I wonder if that's just my lens, as an American, creating a sense of familiarity throughout the entire US. Even so, I don't think Vietnamese, Laotian, and Cambodian residents feel the same similarity between their countries (all three of which, combined, are just slightly larger than Texas).

Laos is so much less developed than Vietnam in various ways — infrastructure and tourism being the two most apparent to us. Life here is much slower, simpler, and relaxed. Houses are still simple, on stilts, and without frill. Women, old and young, wear traditional skirts — not just for special occasion or show, but literally every day as their normal outfit. They're beautiful, by the way, and if I thought I'd ever wear one (I don't) I'd buy ten! Water pulses through this country, with the Mekong as it's central artery. We're here in the wet season, meaning frequent downpours and lush greenery, but even in the dry season the rivers are a huge part of life. The number of times we've taken small wooden canoes for transportation this week, just to get somewhere within 3 miles of our hotel, is amazing (and sometimes a terrifying experience). Food and livelihood grows from the river, in a calm way we never found in Vietnam.

Upon first arriving in Laos, we were frustrated at the high prices. This country is significantly poorer than Vietnam, so we expected cheaper hotels, food, transport, etc. We couldn't figure out why everything cost so much more! We finally concluded it must be because Laos doesn't depend on tourism as much as it's neighbors (mainly Vietnam and Thailand). Tourism hasn't grown to a point that it's absolutely essential for livelihood, so competition is low and prices can stay elevated. It makes sense to me, but I am still curious what factors play in here. If anyone has an actual answer, please let me know in the comments!

To further add mystery, Laotian people seem very quiet. We haven't had nearly as many experiences talking with local in depth about their life, culture, beliefs, etc. I try to strike up conversation when possible, but there seems to be a certain shyness here that we didn't experience in Vietnam. While we were motorbiking through the countryside near Vang Vieng we passed through many small villages, and passed many locals walking home from their day working in the rice fields. In Vietnam, they would have ALL waved, smiled, yelled "HELLO!!" and been very interactive. Here, perhaps simply because we are unfamiliar, the responses are intermittent, subdued, and often come with a sense of bewilderment. This isn't to say they aren't friendly — they certainly are — I think they just don't see as many tourists. This certainly supports the claim we've heard so often, that Laos is still "unspoiled" by tourism, and worth visiting just for that reason. Ironic, I know.

One thing that hasn't changed, too much, between the two countries, is coffee. Aaah coffee! We spend so much time going from coffee shop to coffee shop looking for internet good enough to work and call home, so we try quite a few drinks everywhere we go! Vietnamese coffee was, overall, a bit thicker and smaller in volume — so so tasty, but I had a hard time with the small volume! I cannot drink a beverage slowly — no matter what it is, I suck it right down — so I was always hoping for more. In Laos, we see a bit more volume! It's still similar, but a bit weaker — not always a good thing, but generally it's delicious!

I know I'm not the only one to be peeved when you get an iced coffee and it's watered down. Thanks, ice! Boo. This recipe is simple simple simple, and 100% aimed at keeping your iced coffee exactly that: and iced coffee! I loved the look of light and dark cubes intermixed, melting into your drink as you gulp it down. I made my milk cubes with ground vanilla, since I love a good vanilla latte, but you could add any flavoring you prefer in your coffee — mint, hazelnut, etc. before freezing. Keep the cubes in an airtight container once they're frozen — and get yourself a cute ice cube tray (like this one!) if you want classy looking' cubes! It's such a trivial thing, but I was really lusting after some cute ice cube trays when I made this recipe! Enjoy!

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