How to Make Great Cold Brew Coffee at Home
Most people enjoy their coffee in the morning, others also in the heat of the day. A cold brew can be very refreshing as a pick me up any time of day, especially when it is hot out.
What is Cold Brew? Did you think it was simply making coffee and then cooling it down on the counter and in fridge? Or maybe you thought it was just adding some ice cubes after brewed? The truth is, this type of coffee actually uses luke warm water and ground beans left to steep in a special coffee carafe for 12-24 hours in the fridge...no hot water involved at all! It may become one of your favorite ways to have coffee once you know it will be great for even days to a week later in the fridge after made.
What you need for preparation: Filtered Water, Coarse ground beans (preferably Cold Brew specific), as they are roasted for this type of method, and a cold brew maker / pitcher.
The special Cold Brew Pitcher is designed to allow the beans to rest within the vessel sitting in the water for the necessary time, bringing out the flavor and turning into the cold brew.
How to Make it:
Step 1
Coarsely Grind the Coffee Beans
The first things to know in the 'how to make cold brew coffee' technique is to always use freshly ground whole beans, and steer clear of pre-ground store-bought coffee grounds that are often too fine for a cold brew, or purchase the coarse ground beans specifically designed for Cold Brew like Mallard Express Coffee and Tea Cold Brew packed with flavor and aromatics
Step 2
Fill Cold Brew Container
Moisten the filter and add enough coarse coffee grounds into the brewing filter to be 5/6th full.
Step 3
Combine With Cold Water
Add water to your vessel, but definitely not to the top! Once you put your filter within, it will take up room and may cause the water to overflow. Judge how much to fill the container with water (go 3/4th full first) and put the filter within to see if more or less water is needed. Some containers have fill lines to help with this process.
To prevent bitter flavors and your coffee from oxidizing you want to seal your container as tightly as possible so no air can get in, and keep it out of sunlight. This will be easy if you are leaving your coffee overnight by simply popping it in the fridge to let the coffee steep.
Step 4
Filter
Steep your coffee grounds at room temperature or in the fridge 8 to 24 hours to create a smooth, rich flavor.
There is no sweeter flavor than a cold brew that has been steeping overnight, and no more than 24 hours to prevent it from becoming over-extracted, than sipping a fresh, chilled coffee with the simplest of clean-ups ever.
Coffee brewed cold has a longer extraction process which is why wherever possible you want to give it a minimum of 8 hours to steep. Drinking cold brew in the morning is the perfect way to get the ball rolling for a busy day ahead.
Step 5
Fill it Up and Stir
Take off the stopper and take out the filter. Allow the coffee concentrate to pour into the cup to try. If you are content with the flavor - discard the coffee grounds. The coffee concentrate can be kept fresh for a maximum of 2 weeks by refrigerating it.
Step 6
Serve Cold Brewed Coffee
Begin with a ratio of 1 portion of coffee concentrate to 2 portions of water or milk. Personally, I love the flavor of Mallard Express' cold brew 1 for 1 and no changing is required. It is the perfect balance of carmalized refresh. But you can adjust to your liking, creating a coffee that is either strong or mild. For a creamy, smooth iced coffee, pour the coffee concentrate and water or milk over ice.
Some people have a personal taste for a sweeter flavor brew, adding a teaspoon or two of sugar can help it taste just as good as the hot cup of coffee you savor in the winter months.
