How to Make Cold-Brewed Coffee At Home

When the weather heats up, but you still need your coffee fix homemade cold brew coffee can come to the rescue. Easy to make and helps to avoid all the unnecessary nasties found in store-bought versions. Make your own cold-brewed coffee for a delicious ice coffee fix. The best bit is, you can make a big batch and have some on hand ready to pull out of the fridge when needed.

How to Make Cold Brewed Coffee

Cold brew coffee has become increasingly popular in recent years for its smooth, rich flavor and lower acidity compared to traditional hot brewed coffee.

You can certainly buy premade cold brew from the store, and most coffee shops, however, those versions can have lots of unnecessary ingredients and can add up pretty quickly in price if you are getting your coffee shop fix every day.

Making cold brew at home is simple and requires just a few basic ingredients and tools.

With the right technique, you can enjoy delicious cold brew coffee anytime without having to break the bank by purchasing it from a cafe.

Save yourself some hassle and money and make your own cold brew at home.

The best bit: it is super easy and a big batch can be made all at one time so you can simply grab some out of the fridge when it is needed.

Can't I Just Throw Some Cooled Coffee Over Ice?

I had heard about cold-brewed coffee a fair few times before I was finally convinced to give it a go.

I have to admit, initially, I didn't get what all the buzz was about, surely you could just pop some cooled traditionally brewed coffee in the fridge and call it a day?

I mean....technically you can.

But coffee brewed using a cold brewing method is so much more smooth.

Cold brewing takes away a lot of the bitterness and acidity you get with a normal brew, so it is a lot more drinkable, and a lot more gentle on sensitive bellies.

Plus, when you make cold-brewed coffee you are prepared for the rest of the week with a grab from the fridge and go kinda job - handy indeed!

I make up a batch on a Sunday and use it throughout the week.

It's great to have it sitting waiting in the fridge for when the urge inevitably calls.

Tips, Tricks, and Substitutions For The Perfect Cold Brew

There are a few steps to making the best homemade cold brew coffee, but once you get the hang of it, it will be second nature and not daunting at all.

1. Start by coarsely grinding your favorite coffee beans. For cold brew, it's best to use a dark or medium roast with a bold flavor profile.
2. In a large container or pitcher, combine 1 cup of the coarsely ground coffee with 4 cups of cold filtered water. Stir gently to ensure all the grounds are fully saturated.
3. Cover the container with plastic wrap or a lid and let it sit at room temperature for 12-24 hours. The longer you steep the coffee, the stronger and more robust the flavor will be.
4. After steeping, strain the coffee through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any remaining grounds. You can also use a French press for easier straining.
5. Transfer the strained coffee into another clean container and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
6. This is your coffee concentrate and it will last in the fridge for the week.

You absolutely need to use coarse ground coffee, if you use a fine grind, you will end up with a tar-like substance at the bottom of the jar, which isn't pleasant for anyone!

Tip: You will NEED coarse ground coffee.

Make sure all of the coffee grounds are covered with water.

How To Serve Homemade Cold Brew Coffee

Once brewed, there are a number of ways to serve up depending on how strong you like it.

• straight: strong and black straight from the fridge with lots of ice
• watered down: equal parts coffee to water
• creamy: add some to a large glass of ice, pop in a splash of cream, and leave it to get all melty for a while so it's ice-cold and delicious
• milky: add equal parts cold brew to your milk of choice and serve
• milky: if you prefer a milkier version, then you can go with a 2:1 milk to cold-brewed coffee ratio.

Add sweeteners or flavored syrups as desired, and enjoy your homemade cold brew coffee!

As always; you do you!

Making cold brew coffee at home allows you to customize your drink exactly how you like it while saving money on expensive cafe purchases.

Experiment with different types of beans and brewing times to find your perfect balance of flavors in this smooth and refreshing beverage!

Find your perfect brew and away you go.

Want It Sweeter?

You may also want to sweeten your brew with your sweetener of choice.

Maple syrup, swerve, or regular sugar can be used, just make sure to mix well to combine the sweetener.

You can always change up your brew a bit by adding ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract and your sweetener of choice for something a bit more indulgent.

Happy drinking.

xx

Recipe

Cold Brewed Coffee

Whole Food Bellies

It's hot hot hot, but you still need your coffee fix. Avoid all the nasties in the store-bought versions and make your own cold brewed coffee for a delicious ice coffee fix

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Prep Time 10 hours hrs

Total Time 10 hours hrs

Course Drinks

Cuisine Drink

Servings 8 serves

Calories 1 kcal

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Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 ¾ cups coarse ground coffee
• 3 ½ cups cold water

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Instructions

 

• Pop the coffee grounds and water in a large pitcher and stir to combine. Pop on the lid or some plastic wrap and let sit on the bench for at least 12 hours (I usually leave overnight)
• Pop a fine mesh sieve over a large measuring jug and line with a nut milk bag, or a coffee filter. Slowly pour the coffee through the bag until all the liquid has passed through. Stop when you get to the grounds at the bottom of the jar - discard these and all the contents of the strainer
• After washing out the large pitcher, pour in the strained coffee and pop in the fridge until chilled. This is your coffee concentrate and will last in the fridge for the week
• To serve: Pop in a large glass filled with ice cubes, add a splash of cream and allow to get a bit melty before enjoying. If you like a milkier version go with a 2:1 milk to coffee concentrate ratio. Sweeten if desired with sweeter of your choice - some vanilla and maple syrup is excellent

Notes

You will NEED coarse ground coffee. A fine grind will leave you with a tar like substance in the bottom of your coffee, which no amount of straining will get rid of.

Nutrition

Calories: 1kcalProtein: 0.1gSodium: 1mg

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The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.