The days are sunny and warm, with summer activities in full swing. With all the fun happening, a refreshing drink is needed to keep energy up and cool you down. Cold brew is a great drink for summer, and its popularity continues to grow. In fact, it’s one of the hottest (or should I say coolest) trends on the U.S. coffee market.[1] So, what is it exactly? How do you make cold brew coffee?
How to Make Cold Brew
Cold brew is much more than icing down your hot brewed coffee. To make cold brew, simply steep your coffee grounds of choice in either room temperature or cold water for an extended amount of time. Although a simple process, it’s actually pretty scientific. Due to the absence of heat, this stops many of the coffee’s solubles from dissolving, which results in a coffee with lower acidity, smoother flavor, and a sweeter, not bitter taste.[1] Another plus? Once made, it lasts 2-4 weeks in the fridge.[3]
How to Make Cold Brew at Home
There’s plenty of cold brew makers on the market that you can buy, ranging from low to high price. But let’s say you don’t want to purchase another kitchen accessory, but you still want homemade cold brew. We’ve got you covered!
Step 1: Choose Your Favorite Coffee
We have a variety of blends for you to choose from.
Step 2: Select Your Brewing Vessel
If you do not have a cold brew maker, a French press, pitcher, or any large container will work great as a vessel.
Step 3: Fill Vessel with Grounds and Water
First, put your coffee grounds of choice in the container. Then, fill the container with the appropriate amount of room temperature or cold filtered water. The general recommendation is a 1:8 ratio of coffee to water. (If you want to make 1 quart of cold brew, use 4oz of coffee and 32oz of water.)
Step 4: Cover and Steep
For the next 12-24 hours, cover your container, set it in the refrigerator or on the counter, and steep the grounds in the water. The longer you steep the grounds, the stronger the cold brew you’ll have.
Step 5: Pour and Enjoy
Once you’ve steeped your coffee for at least 12 hours, it’s time to enjoy it. If you’re not using a cold brew maker, you’ll just use a regular drip coffee filter to filter out the grinds while pouring yourself a cup. You could even use a cheesecloth to filter the grinds. If you like less caffeine, add a bit of water to dilute your brew. Looking for some fun add-ons? We’ve got recipes for you!
Recipe Ideas
Now that you’ve mastered the art of making fresh cold brew at home, we can have some fun with different flavors and add-ons. See below for a few ideas to inspire your taste buds.
Honey Cinnamon Cold Brew
In a mason jar, add your milk of choice, a tablespoon of honey, and a dash of cinnamon and stir well. Then add as much as you’d like to your cold brew and give one final stir. Now this is sweet, light and refreshing! Try making this cold brew with Lock & Dam #11™, as its lightness will pair well with the touch of honey and spice.
Sweetened Condensed Milk Cold Brew
Looking for a true treat? Add 1-2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk to your cup of cold brew and give it a good stir. This is true decadence! Wanting something extra special? Try this with Crop Circles™ cold brew for that extra aroma of vanilla and hazelnut in every sip.
Cold Foam Cold Brew
Start with a dark and smooth cold brew, like Shot Tower® Espresso. Fill your cup with ice and cold brew about 3/4 full, so there’s room for the fluffy cold foam on top. To make cold foam at home, whisk heavy cream and your choice of flavoring syrup or sugar, at high speed for about 20-30 seconds. You can do this by hand or using an electric milk frother. Pour the magic over the cold brew and you have a coffee-shop inspired drink at home.
We hope you put this new knowledge in action and start making some fun, tasty cold brew drinks at home using Verena Street coffee this summer. Did you make something awesome? Send us a photo or tag us on Facebook or Instagram.
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