Cold brew coffee has become really popular because it has a smooth flavor and low acidity level. Plus it's easy to make at home!
I love a good cup of coffee in the morning. For years, when I lived in NY, I would set the timer on my coffee pot at night and then wake up in the morning to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. That was
until I moved to South Florida. Now it’s all about iced coffee. Nothing beats a tall glass of home brewed iced coffee in this heat, especially in the summer when the temperature is usually 90 plus.
Cold brew coffee has become extremely popular over the last few years. It's a staple on coffee shop menus and there are several brands lining the shelves at grocery stores. But did you know that you can also make it at home? When I've made iced coffee in the past, I would just brew hot coffee and then pour it over ice. Then I tried making cold-brewed coffee at home and I haven’t gone back since.
What is Cold Brew coffee?
Cold brew coffee is coffee that’s steeped in cold or room temperature water instead of being brewed with hot water. Why does that matter? Because the result is that cold brew has a smoother flavor than hot brewed coffee and a lower acidity level. When coffee comes into contact with the intense heat of boiling water, a specific chemical reaction occurs. With cold-brewing, that chemical reaction doesn’t occur so it creates a different flavor profile than drip coffee. Cold brew is less bitter and has a smooth, almost sweet flavor. Another advantage of cold brew is that unlike hot coffee, when you pour it over ice, your drink won’t instantly get diluted.
How to make cold brew coffee
Because you're not using heat to extract the flavor from the coffee, you need time instead. Ideally,
you want to have at least 12 hours for the coffee to soak in the water. I usually start the process at night so that it’s ready to go the next day when I need my caffeine fix.
You only need two ingredients- coffee and water. The ratio of the two is the only variation and depends on how strong you like your coffee. I’ve been using a ratio of 1 cup coffee to 4.5 cups water and I think that’s a good place to start. You can start there and adjust it to suit your taste.
You want to make sure to use coarsely ground coffee as it will yield the best product with minimal cloudiness. After the coffee has soaked, it’s time to strain it. You can use a fine mesh strainer or make one by lining a strainer with a coffee filter or cheesecloth. The finer the strainer, the less sediment you will have, which means a cleaner flavor. I use a cloth coffee sock filter that’s made just for straining coffee that I actually found at my local grocery store (you can also buy them online). If you have a French press, you can also use that. Just put the coffee and water in it at night and let it steep overnight. In the morning, plunge and you’re ready to go.
How to store cold brew coffee
I store my cold brew in a large pitcher in the refrigerator so that I can have a refreshing glass of iced coffee whenever the urge strikes. When you’re ready for a glass, just pour it over ice and add any desired additions like milk or sweeteners. You can store your cold brew in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Once you've made your cold brew, you can use it to make all sorts of tasty coffee drinks! Click on the link below to get the recipe for my Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew- a Starbucks copycat recipe (and it's dairy-free)!
Dairy-Free Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew (Starbucks Copycat)
Recipe
Cold Brew Coffee
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ pound good quality coffee, coarsely ground
- 13 ½ cups water (room temperature or cold)
Instructions
- Place the coffee grounds in a large container and add the water. Stir to combine well.
- Cover the container tightly with plastic wrap and let the coffee steep on the counter at room temperature for at least 12 hours. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or a strainer lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Alternatively you can use a cloth coffee sock filter. Stop when you reach the solids at the bottom of the container.
- Transfer the cold brew to a large pitcher, cover and refrigerate. When ready to drink, add ice and any other additions like milk or sweeteners. The cold brew can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
Adams Moore says
Regular black coffee has very low calorie. A cup of black coffee contains only 2 calories. So it is helpful for your dieting. It can burn your fat and make you slim. Best Coffee Brands.