Your wallet can take a serious hit from iced coffee drinks at a cafe. Thankfully, it’s super easy to make your own Iced Coffee at home when you make cold brew concentrate. All you need is coarsely ground coffee and cold water!
With a jar of coffee cold brew in the fridge, you can make your afternoon Iced Mocha extra strong without paying for an add shot. Be sure to serve it over ice, or even Coffee Cubes for extra pizzaz and flavor.
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I love iced coffee, especially in the summer months when I’m running kids to their activities. In the old days I would drive through Starbucks, but I can no longer stomach the prices. Yikes!
Instead I keep my own coffee concentrate on hand so that it’s simple and easy to whip up an iced mocha or iced coffee anytime. It’s also great for that hot morning cup of joe; just add hot water!
Why Make This
It’s easy. You’ll be pleasantly amazed how easy it is to cold brew coffee concentrate. It takes two ingredients and about five minutes of active time. You don’t even need electricity!
It’s super cheap. I’ve done the math and can assure you that making your own is much more affordable than buying Starbucks cold brew or the Trader Joe kind.
It’s delicious! You can mix up a refreshing, coffee drink that tastes amazing when you have a stash of cold brew on hand.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this:
coffee grounds – I buy Peets or Starbucks coffee from the grocery store already ground. If you prefer whole bean, be sure to grind it coarsely. You can use decaf or regular.
water – I like using cold, filtered water. You can use room temperature water as well.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place 1 cup coffee grounds in a quart size mason jar. Add 3 to 4 cups cold water. Stir gently. Cover the jar and allow it to sit on the counter at room temperature for 12 hours.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or pour over coffee filter. Discard the coffee grounds.
- Store the cold brew in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Note: If you want to make more or less, keep in mind the ratio of 1 part ground coffee to 3.5 to 4 parts water.
Uses
This can be used as a substitute for espresso in recipes.
To serve: dilute to taste with cold or hot water, starting with 1 part concentrate and 2 parts water. Add milk, almond milk, cream, or sugar according to your preferences.
FAQs
It can be diluted to taste, but the standard ratio is 1 part concentrate and 2 parts water.
Coffee will go bad eventually. Store your homemade cold brew in a covered container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Cold brew is concentrated coffee that steeps in cold water overnight, but it’s not the same as espresso which is steamed coffee. Both have a strong flavor and unless you’re a purist, they can be used interchangeably in recipes.
Fun Coffee Drinks
Cold Brew Concentrate
Equipment
- quart-sized mason jar
Instructions
- Place the coffee grounds in a quart-size mason jar. Fill the jar with cold water and stir. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 12 hours.
- Strain the mixture and discard the grounds. Serve the cold brewed coffee, diluted to taste with hot or cold water or over ice, if desired.
- Store the cold brew in the fridge for a week or two.
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