DIY Cold Brew Coffee
I've been making small changes to our home lately. Well, some changes are small and some are huge. We live in a 1,000 square foot house that can easily feel cramped between 2 adults, 2 kids and 1 large black lab. In an effort to be more comfortable in the space we have, and to make life simpler all around, I've been using the KonMari method of "tidying up". So far I am thrilled with the results and how using her little book has already made our home feel more open, clean, and full of only the things we love. In the spirit of making life easier and full of the things we love, I thought this Cold Brew Coffee recipe was a must-share.
That makes total sense, right? KonMari = coffee? Sure!
Speaking of tidying up and making a space feel new and open and full of things you love, what do you think of the new blog design? I'm loving it. It feels clean and comfortable and ready for lots of delicious recipes and stories and all of the things. In fact, I've added some new features like Mom Stuff and an updated Wine Bar page. Oh, and I updated the About page as well! It's just all so bright and shiny and new. You should make this coffee, get comfortable, and browse around and make yourself at home.
OK- back to the coffee.
Truth be told, I'm really more of a hot coffee drinker regardless of the weather. I don't know why that is. Maybe it's because I like to savor my coffee and when it is cold I always drink it wayyyyy too fast. Or maybe it has something to do with the fact that when I find something I like, I like to stick with it. Who knows. But there are a number of afternoons when I just need a little pick-me-up and this cold brew comes to the rescue. It's amazing over ice with chocolate almond milk (hellooooo iced mocha!) and I always love the classic iced latte kind of thing. Or you can go straight up coffee concentrate + water over ice.
Did I mention that this is a concentrate? Yep. Super strong so you can store it in the fridge in a reasonable sized container. I like to use the large mason jars, of which I have a million, that are lying around my kitchen needing a purpose.
Brad LOVES iced coffee, so this is a nice, easy way for him to grab his caffeine and go when he leaves before the sun rises for work. Speaking of which, that guy works a lot. It can be so hard sometimes, but when he comes home at the end of the day and tells me about the things he has done, I almost burst with pride. He is good. I don't tell him that enough. And on that note, give your teachers and school administrators some extra positive vibes this time of year because it is tough for them and for their families. In fact, you should bring them a jar of this cold brew coffee!
PERFECT TEACHER GIFT!
Important notes:
- When you make this, be VERY CAREFUL when straining the coffee. It's safest to give it all a stir first so your coffee grounds don't all fall out at once leaving you with a massive mess of black grime all over your white kitchen cabinets and in the crevices of your wood floor. I heard this from a friend. ;)
- The strength of your coffee will depend on the grind of your coffee beans. I tend to like stronger coffee, so I use espresso grind (finer). Also, the amount of time you let the coffee brew will make a difference in the strength as well.
- Lastly, the quality of your coffee is important! The better and fresher your coffee, the better the final product will taste. In my opinion, it is worth the splurge on something really great because you will STILL be saving money since you aren't going to the coffee shop to give them $$$ for just one cup. This recipe yields at least 5 cups and doesn't even use an entire bag of coffee! Look at you, you money saver, you!
And now, finally, the recipe! Best enjoyed in a sunny spot with a straw and a good book.
DIY Cold Brew Coffee
- 1 1/2-2 cups ground coffee
- 8 cups water
- fine mesh sieve or a couple layers of cheese cloth
- coffee filter
- Place the coffee grounds in the bottom of a large pitcher or bowl.
- Add the water and stir.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.
- Give the coffee and the grounds another stir (see note above for reasoning). Place the fine mesh sieve over another pitcher or bowl.
- Pour the coffee into the sieve. This will not remove all the grounds. Don't be alarmed.
- Now, clean out the sieve and line it with a coffee filter. Place it over another large bowl or pitcher and strain a second time.
- Transfer to a large mason jar (or two) or a pitcher and refrigerate.
- When ready to use, use 1 part coffee (I use about 1/2 cup of the coffee concentrate) to 1 part water or milk. Serve over ice.
