“Police work wouldn’t be possible without coffee,” Wallander said.
“No work would be possible without coffee.”
They pondered the importance of coffee in silence.
-Henning Mankell, One Step Behind
For many people (ok, ok, including me), coffee is a favorite morning drink. For me, it’s never been about the caffeine, as I like decaf just as much … I just enjoy the aroma and taste of coffee. Making cold brew coffee is another great way to have your favorite cup of Joe!
I don’t drink it every morning, but when I do, I typically drink it straight out of my favorite French press. I like to blend it with some butter, coconut oil, and vanilla, or with a splash of peppermint coffee creamer. On other days, I blend this same concoction into a tea of some kind or just enjoy some plain herbal tea.
Really, there are endless ways to drink coffee … just please, don’t drink the kind that comes in the coffee pods!
Cold Brew Coffee for Coffee Lovers
Iced coffee drinks are everywhere in the summertime, and usually have more milk and sugar than coffee. While yummy (to some) this type of iced coffee does nothing good for us and can awaken more cravings for sugar by flooding our dopamine receptors.
(Still need convincing? Check out the sugar stats in popular coffee shop options here.)
I’ve found a good alternative in cold brew coffee, which isn’t just hot coffee poured over ice. If you enjoy a quality brew, cold brew coffee stays good to the last drop. It won’t get diluted as the ice melts, and it has none of the downsides of the coffee shop concoctions.
Best of all, it’s easy to make a glass of cold brew at home. Plus it saves a ton of money over a Starbucks grande frappe addiction.
Best Coffee Brewing Methods
How you brew your coffee and which beans you use really do have a big impact on flavor. Just compare watery gas station coffee to freshly homemade espresso!
Start With Quality Coffee Beans
Unfortunately, most coffee beans are contaminated with mold, mycotoxins, and other not so yummy things. An organic, low-acid coffee is a game changer when it comes to making a great cup of cold brew.
Another tip is to freshly grind your beans with a coffee grinder. You can easily control the grind and make everything from a course grind to an espresso. The volatile oils quickly degrade once coffee is ground so it’s best to do it in small batches.
Drip Coffee Maker
These coffee makers are some of the most common. They use hot water over ground beans in a paper filter and can make enough for a crowd. Because of how they work it can result in a more bitter cup of coffee with more acidity. While some people love their drip coffee machines, I much prefer other options.
French Press
One of my favorite ways to make coffee. Simply put boiled water and coffee grounds into the French press and let it brew at room temperature. Push the plunger down and you have hot brew coffee! This method preserves the flavorful volatile oils that create a more complex cup of coffee.
You can read more about my favorite (and healthier) ways to brew coffee here.
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew coffee, as the name suggests, brews the coffee cold, for a less bitter and more aromatic cold coffee. The result is a naturally sweeter, full-bodied coffee that isn’t watered down by ice.
Some people (like my dad) are coffee purists and would never consider drinking it cold. But if you aren’t part of that group, give cold brew a try! Some people buy special cold brew coffee makers, but I haven’t found them necessary.
To make cold brew coffee, you’ll need:
- A pitcher, mason jar, or bowl
- A fine mesh strainer
- A coffee filter that fits the strainer
- Your favorite coarse grind coffee beans
That’s it! The only catch to this super simple recipe is needing to plan, as this method takes about 12 hours to brew. The advantage? With a little advanced planning, you can brew coffee in your sleep (Yay for multi-tasking!).
Cold Brew Coffee Recipe
Servings
Equipment
- Half gallon mason jar (or pitcher)
Ingredients
- 2 cups coarsely ground coffee beans
- 4 cups filtered water
Instructions
- Place the coffee grounds and water in your container and stir to combine.
- Cover and put the mixture in the refrigerator.
- Leave for at least 12 hours or as much as 24.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter. This process will be slow.
Nutrition
Notes
- This recipe produces a cold brew coffee concentrate. Dilute with water or milk and sweeten to taste as preferred.
- If you have leftovers, you can freeze them and make coffee ice cubes.
Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!
What’s your favorite way to drink coffee? How do you like your cold brew? Leave a comment and let us know!
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