It's amazingly easy to make cold press coffee concentrate. See the simple steps below and enjoy!
Step 1: Prepare the Coffee Grounds and Water
To start making homemade cold brew coffee, you'll need to gather your ingredients and equipment. Begin by grinding your coffee beans to a coarse consistency. Coarse grounds are ideal for cold brew as they result in a smoother, less bitter flavor. You can use a burr grinder for the best results, but if you don't have one, a local coffee shop can help you with the grinding.
Next, take a large glass jar or container and add the coarsely ground coffee to it. The amount of coffee you use will depend on the desired strength and the size of your container. As a general rule, a ratio of 1 part coffee to 4 parts water works well. For example, if you use 1 cup of coffee, add 4 cups of cold, filtered water. Feel free to adjust the ratio according to your taste preferences.
Step 2: Steep the Coffee
Once you've combined the coffee and water in the jar, give it a gentle stir to ensure all the coffee grounds are evenly saturated. Make sure the grounds are fully immersed in the water. You can also experiment with adding flavorings like vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon at this stage, if desired.
Cover the jar with a lid or plastic wrap and let it steep at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. The steeping time will affect the strength of the coffee. The longer it steeps, the bolder and more intense the flavor will be. It's a good idea to find a convenient spot on your kitchen counter where the jar won't be disturbed.
Step 3: Strain and Serve
After the steeping period, it's time to strain the coffee and separate the grounds. Place a coffee filter or a piece of cheesecloth over another container or pitcher. Slowly pour the coffee mixture through the filter, allowing it to strain out any coffee grounds. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your filter and container.
Once the coffee is strained, you have the option to add sweeteners like sugar or simple syrup if you prefer a sweet taste. Stir well to incorporate the sweetener. You can also choose to dilute the cold brew coffee with water or serve it over ice to adjust the strength and temperature. If you enjoy creamy coffee, you can add milk or cream to your liking.
Finally, transfer the strained cold brew coffee to a clean glass jar or bottle, seal it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator. Homemade cold brew coffee can be refrigerated for up to a week.
Whenever you're ready for a refreshing cup, simply pour the cold brew over ice, milk, adding your desired additions, and enjoy!
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