Coffee. The best part of the morning for most, necessary for some. Did you know, on average Americans spend about 18 billion dollars on coffee beverages? Yikes. That’s a lot of caffeine! I’ll admit, I’m often tempted by the rich, luscious smell of a freshly brewed cup. Though my detox doesn’t really allow it, I sneak in a cup a day. I just can’t live without it!
As summer approaches and temperatures soar, it’s hard to walk down the street without feeling like everyone is holding an iced coffee! It’s the perfect summer treat; keeps you energized and cools you off.
Recently, I’ve discovered the benefits of cold brew coffee. Cold brew, because of the brewing method, has less acid than regularly brewed coffee (which is great for acid reflux AND your teeth!), and has more caffeine. So, just one cup a day will give you that kick that you need, without ruining your teeth or upsetting your stomach! But our beloved beverage is more than just an energy supplement; coffee contains several important nutrients and antioxidants and if you drink it without sugar, there is not much to worry about.
On top of that, cold brew coffee has so many more noticeable flavor notes. Beautiful to look at, to smell, and to taste. Sometimes, I take my cold brew black but often I mix it up with a splash of non-dairy milks like almond, coconut, or soy. To keep my cold brew extra cold, I freeze ice cube trays filled with these milks, and even a couple with coffee. That way, instead of watering my cold brew down, I’m adding flavor and keeping it chill! Perfect!
Recipe:
6 oz freshly-ground coffee beans of your choosing
3.5 cups cold water
Pour ground coffee into a 2 quart container. The smaller the grind, the bigger the flavor. Slowly add cold water, stirring occasionally to make sure all the grounds are wet. Cover container with plastic wrap. Let it sit for at least 6 hours. Overnight is ideal.
After your grounds have been sitting, take a fine mesh strainer and place it over another large container. Pour out water and grounds into the second container and discard any chunks in the sieve. Repeat this process one more time. This may take 15-20 minutes for the coffee to filter through. Cover the final product and place in the fridge. This is your cold brew concentrate.
When ready to serve, combine 1 part concentrate coffee with 1 part water. Add your favorite milk as desired.
If you want to make a small batch, cut the recipe in half and make in a french press! This makes for easier straining and cleanup since the strainer is built into the press.
Coffee, almond milk, and coconut milk ice cubes. Refreshing!
How do you take your coffee? We would love to know. Please write to us below!
