Countertop Cold Brew Coffee
Things that take a long time to make cost a lot of money. Ghee, bone broth, sauerkraut, kombucha--you know, all the foods you might not have a clue of which I speak. Try ‘em, they’re delicious. Cold brew coffee falls into this category of time-consuming treats with a price tag.
Brewing this way is trending with good reason--the smooth taste of this iced coffee extracts the bitterness often associated with hot brew. Cold brew can be pretty potent giving you a nice jolt to get through the Monday-ist Tuesday ever.
It can be pricy considering how cheap it is to craft. When I’m not on Whole30, I like to add a little condensed milk to make a Vietnamese Iced Coffee. Coconut condensed milk is my jam and I’d love to share that recipe with you now, but in the spirit of Whole30, I won’t even tempt you.
I will say I think the biggest secret to making cold brew that tastes like expensive artisan coffee is the type of coffee you use. I’m not big into trying different beans at my house because by now, I like what I like. I like Lavazza espresso for hot coffee and Cafe Du Monde coffee with chicory for making cold brew. By the way, you can research more recipes for what blend makes the best iced coffee and you’ll find Cafe Du Monde with chicory is the go-to for at home baristas. If you can’t find this in your grocery store, I’ve had luck with finding it at World Market on a regular basis.
The other tip to making this recipe successful is how you strain it. I use a Coffeesock I picked up at the mothership Whole Foods in Austin. Visiting grocery stores on vacation gets me excited, OK? The cheapest alternative to a specialty filter is cheesecloth. For my kitchen newbies, cheesecloth can be found in specialty kitchen shops or even Walmart. I found some on an end-cap next to the chalk paint and craft aisle recently.
Give this recipe a whirl--it’s virtually foolproof.
COUNTERTOP COLD BREW
¾ -1 cup ground organic dark roast coffee
Filtered cold water
A 3 cup mason jar with lid
A nut milk bag, cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
Fill the jar with cold filtered water, about ¾ of the way to the top of the jar. Add in coffee grounds. Using a spoon, gently press coffee down enough to be submerged by the water. Add more water to fill the remaining space in the jar. Leave the jar on the kitchen counter for at least 8 hours, but overnight is recommended. In the morning, filter out liquid in the jar using nut milk bag or strainer. Pour over ice and enjoy!
Get creative with your coffee: Add a cinnamon stick and a splash of vanilla extract when combining brew mix and enjoy a lovely Mexican-inspired coffee.