I have been making cold brew for over 2 years now and I absolutely love it! It is so much smoother that traditional hot coffee and it makes the absolute best iced coffees.
In central California we have warm/hot weather for about half of the year and cold brew coffee really shines in the warm months. I add a bunch of ice, some creamer, and sugar free vanilla syrup and it becomes my everyday treat. I add all that because I like sugar but I also drink this with some unsweetened vanilla almond milk (Kirkland is my favorite brand) and ohmy, it is still so damn good. I also drink it black when I wanna feel cool and all that jazz.
Unlike other recipes, this is not a concentrate recipe. I make the concentrate and then I add water. Concentrated cold brew is just too strong and I find that it lacks the smoothness that a diluted version offers. This recipe uses 1 cup of coarse coffee grounds to 8 cups of water. This makes enough for just about 2 liters of cold brew. It makes a perfectly caffeinated beverage that is just ridiculously smooth. If you drink your coffee black you might want to increase the coffee grinds to 1.5 cups and leave the water the same, it’ll make for a stronger brew.
When I have extra time I also make cold brew ice cubes to add to my cold brew and y’all, that sh*t is 100. It is just beyond good. Now go forth and make some cold brew! If you are feeling really good, go and make some cold brew ice cubes too! Can you imagine buying a drink like that from a coffee shop? That’d be like 9 bucks. INSANITY. I’m not big on making everything at home (like puff pastry, which would be crazy) but when something is as simple as this recipe, there is no excuse not to at least try!!!
Go on and make this cold brew and enjoy it. You’ll feel accomplished, you’ll save money, and you’ll be rewarded with great coffee. win win win!
No Fuss Cold Brew
Save your hard earned money and make cold brew at home!
Ingredients
- 1 cup dark roast coarse ground coffee Note 1
- 8 cups water, divided
Instructions
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In a french press (Note 2) drop the coffee grounds in the bottom, top with 3 cups of water, mix with a long spoon so that all the coffee grounds are wet. Place the plunger on top but don't press down. Let the mixture sit for at least 12 hours. It can sit at room temp or in the fridge. Strain the cold brew concentrate by plunging the french press strainer down. Pour the cold brew concentrate into a 2 Liter pitcher, add the remaining 5 cups of water. Serve chilled or over ice. Cold Brew will last about 5 days in the fridge. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Note 1: This recipe works best with a dark, bold roast. I like a coarser grind because it keeps the finished cold brew from accumulating that sediment that comes from finer ground beans.
Note 2: I own the IKEA brand french press in the 13.5 oz size. I’ve had it for years and it works like a champ.
Note 3: If you do not own a french press, then just use a large jar to combine the water and coffee grounds, then pour the mix through a cheesecloth/coffee filter lined fine mesh strainer.
