Did you know that you can easily make cold brew coffee at home? It’s simple to make, tastes delicious, and is less acidic than regular coffee!
I love cold brew coffee, especially during the summer months in Texas. It’s flavorful, less acidic, and stays fresh longer than regular coffee. Have you tried cold brew before?
All you need is coffee, water, a jar or pitcher, and a fine-mesh strainer (or cheesecloth or paper filter). This recipe is going to make a coffee concentrate so you will want to dilute it with milk/cream/creamer, ice or water. It also contains more caffeine since it has a higher coffee to water ratio than traditional coffee. I like to have a pitcher of cold brew in my fridge at all times!
My favorite way to drink cold brew is to fill half my cup with coffee concentrate, add milk, and a splash of vanilla creamer. And if you have fresh-baked croissants in the house, cold brew pairs well with them – I am just saying!
What is Cold Brewing?
Cold brewing is the process of steeping coffee grounds in cold water for a long period of time to extract the flavor of the bean. This process results in a smoother, highly-concentrated coffee that is perfect for pouring over ice or blending into coffee drinks.
Why is Cold Brew Better Than Traditional Coffee?
- More intense flavor – The long time that the coffee brews allows more of the flavor from the bean to enter the water. This means it’s more concentrated and is less likely to taste watered down if you pour it over or blend it with ice.
- Less acidity – Cold brew is a good option for people with acid reflux or digestion issues. It also means you get a smoother, less bitter tasting cup of coffee.
- Stays fresh longer – Since the chemical structure is not changed from heating and cooling like traditional coffee, it should taste the same today as it does a week from now. This is why I always make a large batch of cold brew because it will stay fresh for a week.
How to Make Cold Brew
- Purchase medium roast coffee beans that are as fresh as possible. If you do not have a coffee bean grinder at home try and purchase from a store or local coffee shop that can grind your coffee for you.
- Use a ratio of ½ cup coarsely ground coffee beans to 1 ½ cups filtered cold water (or a 3:1 ratio of water to grounds).
- Pour your grounds and water into a large glass jar or covered pitcher. Stir using a plastic or wooden spoon (not metal since it can affect the taste of the coffee).
- Cover and let sit at room temperature for 24 hours or longer for stronger coffee.
- Once your coffee has reached the desired strength, use cheesecloth, a fine-mesh sieve, or a paper filter to separate the grounds from the coffee concentrate.
- Store your coffee in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- To serve, you can pour over ice, add cream/milk/creamer/sweetener, blend with ice, add water or any combination that fits your taste. Since you are using a higher coffee to water ratio than traditional coffee, cold brew will have a higher caffeine level.
Have you tried cold brew? What is your favorite way to drink coffee?
