Cold Brewed Coffee
 

I had a friend turn me onto this a few weeks ago and thought I'd share it. This turns out the best coffee I've ever had.

Basically you take about 2-3 cups of fresh ground coffee and dump it in the bottom of a gallon jar, fill with cold water, add the cap and shake it. Then let it sit on the counter for 24 hours, shaking 1-2 more times. After 24 hours strain the grounds out and put whats left in a container in the fridge. It will be a coffee color but more the consistency of a syrup. When you want some coffee you pour about 3/4 of the cup with the coffee syrup and top it off with milk and sugar if you want it. This is extremely smooth coffee and has very low acidity since its not fast brewed.

Has anyone else ever tried this?

Interestingly, I just tried a cup of iced coffee for the first time a few days ago. I was unsure of the iced coffee etiquette so I skipped sugar, but it was still enjoyable. As you noted it wasn't as acidic as a hot cup. The brewing process as the girl described it to me was basically the same.

Next time I think I'll add a spoonful of sugar to sweeten it.

What I drink as an iced coffee is actually an Americano (espresso and hot water) that is then poured over ice to chill. I have a pretty straightforward coffee taste preference - I like it dark, black, and strong.

What most places serve as an iced coffee is traditional drip brewed coffee that is then watered down when ice is added to chill it.

I made this stuff a lot a few summers ago. It's called cold press around these parts. I'd usually just drink the syrup straight. I stopped making it because drinking it was fucking with my nerves

Absolutely the best way to brew coffee.

I usually do (2), 1 gallon jugs at a time, which will yield about a gallon of brew. I keep it in the fridge like iced tea.

BTW If you want a normal cup of coffee from this brew, just add 1/4 coffee to 3/4 hot or cold water. I prefer 1/2 to 1/2.

If you aren't cutting it with water or something, 12oz of this brew is equal to a 10 cup pot of coffee.

Must try.

Hah, I have a jar of this in my fridge right now :)

Yeah I steep my coffee in cold water for 24 hours by just putting the coffee grounds in water in a sealed container. Then I strain and use the concentrate to mix with soy milk and sugar. Carry it to work in a poptop steel drinking cup and BAM, instant coffee drink.

I'm not a fan of brewed coffee, so this is the way I love to make coffee.

I'm gonna try this right away...well, I won't drink it until tomorrow or I'll be up all night.

It sounds great. Thanks.

I haven't heard of this preparation method! I'll have to try it out!

I love cold brewed coffee, but I tend to drink more of it throughout the day than I normally would with drip/french press coffee. It makes a better cup of iced coffee for sure.

This is interesting. Those of you who have tried this, have you noticed an increase in bitterness?

I only ask because cold brewing is supposed to cause the coffee to be more bitter vs brewing with hot water, and the bitterness is why I do not drink black coffee.

I used cheap Maxwell House ground coffee. I normally don't find that kind of coffee palatable, but it's actually pretty good with this cold press method. I put the grounds in a coffee press with filtered water, left it at room temperature for 8 hours, pushed down the filtering plate and voila - coffee. The resulting liquid was smooth. There wasn't anything harsh or acidic about the flavor, but it also didn't have too much character. I'm sure it would be even better with decent beans.

My Mom used to make me cold coffee all the time and I think she cold brewed it. Best tasting coffee ever. Well worth the time and effort it takes to make.