BEST COLD BREW ICED COFFEE EVER

I was never a big fan of cold coffee until I had kids. Now most of my coffee is cold…sometimes by choice and sometimes not by choice, if ya know what I mean. 🙂

This creamy and slightly sweet cold brew iced coffee is the perfect sweet treat and afternoon pick-me-up.

ICED COFFEE FOR THE WIN

This year I have taken a year leave of absence from my teaching job. Being home all day with my one and four year old daughters has been quite a life change and the biggest blessing of my life.

I did find that in the afternoon, my pot of coffee was usually still sitting in the coffee pot mostly full and very cold. Yet after getting the kids around for their afternoon rest time, it was calling my name.

I have never loved cold coffee, and honestly have never ordered an iced coffee in all my life. But one day I decided (maybe out of desperation?) to pour a cup of that cold coffee over ice and add some honey simple syrup and a splash of heavy cream. Mind. Blown.

Every day since, I look forward to my little afternoon treat.

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ICED COFFEE – LEVELED UP

Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, my mom totally leveled this drink up! She started making fresh cold brew coffee. She brought some over for me to try. WOW!

I added my normal cream and honey simple syrup and it was above and beyond delish.

At this point, I did not know cold brewed coffee was even a thing. It seemed so much smoother and richer than the cold coffee leftover from my coffee pot. So I did a little digging.

COLD BREW VS. HOT BREW

According to www.javapresse.com, there are many similarities and differences between the end results of coffee depending on how it is brewed.

One difference I noticed right away was that it seemed less bitter than my regular hot brewed coffee. Sure enough, tests have shown that cold brewed coffee can have 66% less acidity and bitterness when compared to hot coffee.

This occurs because the acids that normally become bitter in hot coffee don’t get extracted. The acids that add a sharpness to hot coffee don’t oxidize, as they would using hot water, to be extra tangy and acidic.

Although the flavor of cold brewed coffee is smoother and less bitter, it still has relatively the same amount of caffeine, depending on what type of coffee you use.

HOW TO MAKE COLD BREW COFFEE

In a cold brew coffee maker, add 1 cup coarse ground coffee. Add 5 cups water. Let steep in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours.

Remove and attach press. Press coffee slowly to the bottom of the coffee maker. Pour coffee into air tight container for storage and return to the refrigerator. Cold brew coffee will remain fresh when stored in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

MAKING THE ICED COFFEE

Fill a 16 ounce Mason jar (or any glass of your choice) half way with ice. Pour in 2 tbsp. honey simple syrup, 2 tbsp. heavy cream and 1 cup prepared cold brew coffee.

Add lid of your choice and shake. Enjoy cold!

TIPS

• You can make it with whatever coffee you have! Sometimes I still pour a cup of cold coffee leftover in the pot and just add a splash of honey simple syrup and cream. In fact, it’s pretty good with hot coffee too!
• Any brand of coarse ground coffee is okay to use for your cold brew. If you have a coffee grinder, you can use whole beans and just grind them coarsely yourself.
• A cold brew coffee maker and a bag of coffee make a nice gift for any coffee lover!
• Steep your cold brew over night so it is ready to go when you want to make your iced coffee.
• See my post Easy Homemade Honey Simple Syrup for more info.
• Cocktail options: Add 2 oz Kahlua OR replace 1 tbsp. heavy cream for 2 oz. of Irish cream for a Happy Hour iced coffee.

I still like my nice piping hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Doubtful that will ever change.

But I love this new tasty treat and hope it brings a bit of joy to your life, like it has mine!

SHOP THIS POST

• Bodum Bean Cold Brew Coffee Maker
• Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee Coarse Ground Coffee, 1 LB, Light & Bright
• Mason Jar Flip Top Lids
• Silicone Straws
• D&V By Fortessa Jupiter Double Old Fashion Glass, 10 Ounce, Set of 6 (Clear)