Have you been hearing about cold brewed coffee concentrate? It's kind of a thing. Starbucks uses it. Pricey indie brands are popping up left and right. It's good stuff. And I've got an easy cold brew coffee concentrate recipe so you can make it yourself.
Cold brewed coffee has been in my bag of tricks for a long time. I can't remember when or how I learned to make it, but my life has never been the same since. You need to know how to make this good stuff now. I'm glad to share my cold brew coffee concentrate recipe with you. You'll laugh when you see how simple it is.
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Healthier and Tastes Better Too
Why are people crazy about cold brewed coffee all of a sudden? For one, it is SO easy. It also allows you to make iced coffee drinks without watering them down (now you know your local coffee shop's secret). But here's what really has people hooked: the cold brew process results in 60% less acidity than regular coffee and it brings out the coffee's natural sweetness. This cold brew coffee recipe keeps your favorite coffee's strength while making it more smooth, eliminating the burn-y taste.
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A Gift They'll Love
You'll probably get hooked on this stuff yourself, but if you can spare any of your concentrate, it makes an outstanding DIY gift for any occasion. Think of your cold brew coffee recipe and all that you can do with it when you need something for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list.
Related: Best Gifts for Coffee Lovers
Easy Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground coffee (choose a coarse grind if you have the option)
- 2 gallons cold water
- Supplies: 2.5- 3 gallon pitcher or pot, strainer or colander, coffee filters, bottles or jars for storage.
Instructions
- Put 1 lb ground coffee in a 2.5-3 gallon pitcher or pot. If you don't have a container big enough, try a large stainless steel pot or divide it between more than one pitcher.
- Add 2 gallons of cold water and stir. Let it sit on the counter for 8-24 hours depending on your taste. I would start with about 2 hours for your first batch and adjust from there. I like to leave mine overnight.
- Stir once more and then slowly Pour through a colander lined with a coffee filter into a bottle or jar you can keep tightly capped in your fridge for up to three weeks.
Notes
if you somehow end up with concentrate in your fridge that you won't end up using before making a fresh batch, pour it into ice cube trays and make coffee cubes.
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How to Use Your Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate
To use your cold brew concentrate, simply mix it half and half with milk or water.
For iced coffee: fill glass with ice first.
For hot coffee: mix then heat via stove or microwave.
For hot or iced latte: use your choice of milk.
For Pumpkin Spice Latte: make up a batch of pumpkin spice simple syrup – equal parts (start with 1 cup each) water to sugar over low heat to dissolve, adding cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice to taste. Pour your spiced simple syrup into a bottle or jar to keep in fridge for a few weeks. (That's not all we've got that's Pumpkin Spiced, if you're a fan.)
For a Mocha Latte: top latte with a spoonful of brown sugar and two big squeezes of Hershey's chocolate syrup.
For Vietnamese iced coffee: fill glass with ice, then fill half with coffee concentrate, then 3 T condensed milk, then top with milk or half and half.
Do you have a cold brew coffee recipe that you love? Let us know in the comments below!
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This is great info. I have never thought of doing a concentrate. I usually make coffee at night and put in the fridge for the next morning, so I can have iced coffee. Love this.
I love that you can cold brew the night before. No waiting!
I love cold brew coffee, it’s the only coffee I really like. Never thought to give it as a present, but that’s a great idea!
Tervis Tumblers are the best!
I have been wanting to try making cold brew coffee, but never saw a good recipe. This is perfect, and I’m excited to try it. I love these accessories to do it with, too.
I’ve never tried to make cold brew coffee, but now I’m intrigued to give it a whirl! Thanks!
It is different way than I have heard before, Pretty large batch, but I may try. I have made it before in a french press overnight, but I put in the refrigerator this is the second time, that I’ve seen leave it out at room temp. So I will have to try this. Thanks
That sounds so good!
I love my toddy maker coffee tastes so much better
I have never heard of cold brew coffee. It is interesting and I am going to have to give it a try. I am going to mention this to my mother, she is a bigger coffee lover and would love this process.
This is great information! One more thing to love about coffee! Thanks for recipe!
This looks like a nice recipe to make in the following weeks.
We love cold brew coffee and tea. So easy, so much healthier!!!
Always looking for new ways to have coffee. Thank you for the information.