With the summer in full swing, it’s time to break out the iced drinks are get our refreshment on. There’s no better way to perk up and get your daily caffeine kick than with a chilled cup of cold brew coffee. The first time I had cold brew, I was hooked right away. It’s not watery or bitter like regular iced coffee can be because the coffee is never heated. It is literally brewed cold, hence the name! It’s a simple technique that coffee shops across the world are now using to serve up this tasty beverage to their coffee-loving customers.
Did you know that you can also make cold brew at home? If you don’t have time to stop by Derby Joe for a cup of our fantastic cold brew, making your own is the next best option. It’s a basic formula and just a few easy steps. It all starts with cold, filtered water, coarse coffee grounds, and 18-24 hours of brewing time.
There are several “home cold brew coffee makers” out there. They are all variations on the same theme. The coarsely-ground coffee is left to brew in cold water for a long period of time. Each invention provides a way to strain out the ground coffee at the end, and each promises to be more convenient than the last. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about all that. All you really need are some coffee filters, a bowl, a large mason jar or glass container with a lid, ground coffee, and cold, filtered water.
- Grind your coffee on the coarsest setting, whether using a home grinder or at the store. You don’t want anything too fine or you’ll end up with swirls of grimy coffee clouds in your delicious iced beverage.
- Grab a large mason jar or glass receptacle (make sure it has a lid!). Add your coffee grinds into the bottom, using an 1:8 ratio of coffee-to-water. Cover with your cold water and fill to the top.
- Stir the mixture gently until the grounds are well-combined with the water. Leave it on the counter or stick it in the fridge for approximately 18-24 hours.
- Once your coffee is brewed, use coffee strainers to sift out the larger grounds. You can use the leftovers for mulch, compost, or dozens of other things. Strain back into the jar, now free of all those coarse coffee grinds.
- Repeat the straining process a few times to remove any solids from your home-brewed coffee. Don’t worry if a small amount of coffee is left at the bottom – simply grind it more coarsely next time.
- Add some ice and milk/sugar if you like and your homemade cold brew is ready for you and your family to enjoy!
What’s your favorite icy beverage to quench your thirst in the summer heat? Share with us and stop by Derby Joe to try out all of our delicious iced coffee and cold brew drinks!
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