Ingredients:
- 1 cup coarsely ground coffee beans
- 4 cups cold water
- Optional add-ins: milk, sweeteners, flavorings (e.g., vanilla extract, cinnamon)
Equipment:
- Large jar or container with a lid
- Fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth
- Coffee filter or paper towel (if desired, for extra filtration)
Instructions:
- Grind the coffee beans: Start by grinding your coffee beans to a coarse consistency. Coarse grounds are preferred for cold brew to prevent over-extraction and bitterness. If possible, use a burr grinder for the best results.
- Combine coffee and water: In a large jar or container, combine the coarsely ground coffee and cold water. Stir gently to ensure all the coffee grounds are saturated with water.
- Steep the coffee: Once the coffee and water are combined, cover the jar or container with a lid and let it steep at room temperature for at least 12 to 24 hours. The longer you steep, the stronger and more concentrated the cold brew will be. You can adjust the steeping time based on your taste preferences.
- Strain the cold brew: After the steeping period, strain the cold brew to remove the coffee grounds. Place a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth over another container or pitcher, and slowly pour the cold brew through it. This will separate the liquid from the grounds. For extra filtration, you can line the sieve with a coffee filter or paper towel.
- Dilute and serve: The cold brew concentrate you obtained can be quite strong, so it's usually diluted before serving. Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the desired amount of cold brew over the ice. You can dilute it with water, milk, or any other preferred liquid to achieve the desired strength and flavor. Add sweeteners or flavorings, such as vanilla extract or cinnamon, if desired.
- Storage: If you have any leftover cold brew, transfer it to a sealed container and store it in the refrigerator. Cold brew can stay fresh for up to a week when refrigerated.
Note: Cold brew coffee is highly customizable. You can experiment with different coffee bean varieties, ratios of coffee to water, and steeping times to find your preferred flavor profile. Additionally, feel free to get creative with your cold brew by adding different flavorings or serving it over ice cream for a delicious coffee-based dessert.