Cold brew coffee is a delightful way to enjoy the rich flavors of coffee without the need for hot brewing methods. It’s especially popular in warm weather, as it makes a refreshing and chilled coffee drink.
Table of Contents
Make Cold Brew Coffee
Cold Brew Coffee has been appearing on coffee shop menus everywhere in recent years for a good reason. It offers a much smoother flavor compared to regular coffee and doesn’t require individual preparation like espresso drinks. In fact, Cold Brew has gained such popularity that many stores now stock pre-made jugs of it alongside creamers and juice. However, if this has become your favorite beverage, you’re probably aware that frequent purchases can quickly accumulate in cost.
The exciting news is that you can effortlessly prepare it at home without the need for fancy kitchen gadgets or special coffee beans. You don’t even require a coffee maker! This Cold Brew Coffee recipe is extremely straightforward and delivers the same great taste as a beverage from a coffee shop or pre-made mix, all at a fraction of the price. Essentially, instead of using hot water, the coffee undergoes steeping in cold water in the fridge over a couple of days to produce a potent cold brew concentrate.
Cold Brew Coffee has been making its way onto coffee shop menus everywhere in recent years, and there’s a good reason for its popularity surge. It offers a notably smoother flavor compared to regular coffee and doesn’t demand the individual preparation associated with espresso drinks. In fact, Cold Brew’s appeal has grown so much that many stores now offer pre-made jugs of it right alongside creamers and juice. Yet, if this has become your favored beverage, you’ve probably realized that frequent purchases can quickly lead to a significant expense.
The exciting revelation is that you can effortlessly prepare Cold Brew Coffee at home without relying on high-end kitchen gadgets or sourcing special coffee beans. You don’t even need a coffee maker! This Cold Brew Coffee recipe is exceptionally simple and delivers the same delightful taste as a coffee shop drink or a pre-made mix, all while costing only a fraction of the price. Essentially, instead of using hot water, the coffee undergoes a cold-water steeping process in the fridge over a couple of days, resulting in a potent cold brew concentrate.
What is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee represents a coffee brewing technique where coarsely ground coffee beans are immersed in cold water for an extended duration, typically ranging from 24 to 48 hours. This process yields a coffee concentrate that boasts lower acidity and a smoother flavor compared to the conventional method of hot brewing. This concentrated coffee can be diluted with water and ice to craft refreshing iced coffee or heated up for a warm cup of coffee. The inherent smoothness of the flavor often renders additional milk or flavorings unnecessary, although some individuals still choose to customize it to resemble their preferred iced lattes.
What distinguishes drip coffee from cold brew coffee?
Certainly, Cold brew coffee involves the process of steeping ground coffee in cold water over an extended period, requiring some patience before consumption. It yields a concentrated coffee that’s intended to be diluted before drinking. In contrast, drip coffee is made by pouring hot water over ground coffee and allowing it to pass through a filter, resulting in a ready-to-drink coffee. Any addition of milk or other liquids in drip coffee is primarily for flavor rather than dilution.
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee
- Add 2 ¼ cups coffee grounds and 6 cups water to a large jar or bottle, adjusting amounts based on your preference but maintaining the coffee-to-water ratio.
- Seal the container and shake it well. Refrigerate for 24-48 hours to steep the coffee.
- Strain the coffee through a filter, dish towel, or cheesecloth into a clean jar to remove grounds.
- To serve, mix 1 part coffee concentrate with 1 part cold water (adjust to taste). For stronger coffee, use less water or add milk or almond milk for creaminess. Serve over ice. Enjoy!
Essential Elements
Ingredients:
- Use medium to dark roast coffee beans, freshly coarse-ground for the best flavor.
- Use filtered or bottled water to enhance the coffee’s taste.
Equipment:
- You’ll need two large, sealable containers like gallon jars or glass bottles.
- Standard coffee filters and a reusable filter basket can help with straining the coffee mixture.
Follow the detailed instructions provided earlier to create delicious cold brew coffee concentrate. Enjoy!
Variations
- In a blender, combine 2 cups of ice, 1 cup of cold brew (mixed with water), ½ cup half and half (or other milk), 2 tablespoons sugar, and ¼ teaspoon vanilla.
- Blend until smooth and serve with whipped cream. This recipe makes 2 drinks.
- To the vanilla frappe recipe above, add chocolate syrup and mini chocolate chips for a delicious Mocha Chip Frappe.
- For a caramel-flavored twist, drizzle the inside of your glass with caramel sauce or ice cream topping before adding your cold brew, ice, and water or milk. You can also blend it with the vanilla frappe.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups ground coffee beans
- 6 cups water
Instructions
- Prep: Add 2 ¼ cups of coffee grounds and 6 cups of water to a large jar or bottle. You can adjust the amounts depending on how much coffee concentrate you want, but keep the coffee-to-water ratio the same.
- Refrigerate: Seal the container carefully and shake the mixture well. Refrigerate for 24-48 hours to allow the coffee to steep.
- Strain: After steeping, pour the coffee through a coffee filter, dish towel, or cheesecloth into a clean jar. This straining process removes the grounds and ensures your Cold Brew Coffee isn’t gritty.
- Serve: When you’re ready to enjoy, pour the cold brew concentrate into a glass over ice. Mix 1 part coffee concentrate with 1 part cold water. Adjust the water amount for a stronger or milder brew. You can also use milk or almond milk instead of water for creamier coffee.
Now you have a refreshing and delicious cold brew coffee ready to enjoy!
- Prep: Add 2 ¼ cups of coffee grounds and 6 cups of water to a large jar or bottle. You can adjust the amounts depending on how much coffee concentrate you want, but keep the coffee-to-water ratio the same.
- Refrigerate: Seal the container carefully and shake the mixture well. Refrigerate for 24-48 hours to allow the coffee to steep.
- Strain: After steeping, pour the coffee through a coffee filter, dish towel, or cheesecloth into a clean jar. This straining process removes the grounds and ensures your Cold Brew Coffee isn’t gritty.
- Serve: When you’re ready to enjoy, pour the cold brew concentrate into a glass over ice. Mix 1 part coffee concentrate with 1 part cold water. Adjust the water amount for a stronger or milder brew. You can also use milk or almond milk instead of water for creamier coffee.
Now you have a refreshing and delicious cold brew coffee ready to enjoy!
- Prep: Add 2 ¼ cups of coffee grounds and 6 cups of water to a large jar or bottle. You can adjust the amounts depending on how much coffee concentrate you want, but keep the coffee-to-water ratio the same.
- Refrigerate: Seal the container carefully and shake the mixture well. Refrigerate for 24-48 hours to allow the coffee to steep.
- Strain: After steeping, pour the coffee through a coffee filter, dish towel, or cheesecloth into a clean jar. This straining process removes the grounds and ensures your Cold Brew Coffee isn’t gritty.
- Serve: When you’re ready to enjoy, pour the cold brew concentrate into a glass over ice. Mix 1 part coffee concentrate with 1 part cold water. Adjust the water amount for a stronger or milder brew. You can also use milk or almond milk instead of water for creamier coffee.
Now you have a refreshing and delicious cold brew coffee ready to enjoy!