Cold brew coffee is the cooler, older sibling of iced coffee. It’s made chilled, never heated, and with a higher coffee-to-water ratio than regular drip coffee. Cold brew coffee is made by creating a concentrate, which is then mixed with fresh water (and optional flavorings) when it’s time to serve. And the best part? Similar to cold brewed tea, you don’t need any fancy equipment. No French press. No coffee pot. And with only two ingredients, there’s really no reason not to give cold brew coffee a try this summer!
why you need cold brew coffee in your future
A cup of cold brew coffee isn’t just your standard cup of coffee. In fact, there is a long list of benefits to choosing it over the latter.
Slightly less caffeine: For someone that wants to stick with coffee but is trying to cut back on caffeine, cold brew is a great choice because it has slightly less caffeine than drip coffee. (Per 16 oz there are 200 mg of caffeine in cold brew vs 260-360 mg in hot.) Smoother taste: Cold brew has a smoother taste because it isn’t heated. You may not even need to add cream or sugar (health win!). Easy to make: Cold brewing is an electricity-free method that doesn’t require a machine and can be done by naturally steeping coffee grounds.
How to make the best cold brew coffee
cloth vs. French press vs. cold brew machine
There are three methods to making cold brew, so choose whichever works best for you! The pour through cloth is my personal favorite. Pour Through ClothFor the straining process, I prefer to use a pour through cloth because it’s simple and doesn’t require any special gear. Simply place the cloth over a cup or bowl, and slowly pour the coffee concentrate through. Let it sit and strain through, refraining from making the cloth overflow. Additionally, don’t squeeze the coffee grounds through – let them slowly strain. French PressIf you do have a French press, they are great to use for making cold brew coffee. Measure out your coffee grounds and water, then add them to the press. Stick the lid on top and let the coffee steep for about 12 to 24 hours in the fridge. Press the plunger down, decant the coffee, and serve! Note: For cold brew, darker roasts do tend to work better as far as flavor is concerned, as lighter roasts can sometimes get lost or muted.
