Make Cold-Brewed Coffee 2 Delicious Ways

Summer means we don’t want to drink anything hot, but no matter the season, we have to have our coffee. We know most of you feel the same, and we also know that the answer is obvious: iced coffee!

It’s just not summertime until we’re running to work and to do errands with a big cup of the iced and caffeinated good stuff in our hand, and a lot of us prefer the iced variety of java all year long. (Raise your hand if you, like me, have also happily stood in the middle of New England snow with a cup from Dunkin’ Donuts.) Since it’s not really fiscally responsible to run to the local coffee house every time we need our fix, we needed to figure out the best way to make iced coffee at home. Far better than just pouring lukewarm leftovers over ice and hoping for the best? Actually cold-brewing it the right way! It’s far easier than you might think.

We’re teaching you not only how to make with either a French press or any old container you want, we’re also showing you two delicious varieties. Check them out, pick your favorite, and read on for the simple recipe.

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COLD-BREWED COFFEE 2 WAYS

Makes 32 ounces Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 12 hours 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS

Cold Brew Coffee

  • ¾ cup coffee beans
  • 4 cups water

Vietnamese Iced Coffee

  • Cold brew coffee
  • Sweetened condensed milk, to taste

DIRECTIONS

  1. Grind the coffee beans very coarsely.
  2. Place the grounds in a 32-ounce French press, or another container of choice large enough to hold the coffee and water.
  3. Gradually add the water and gently stir to moisten the grinds evenly.
  4. Place the lid on the French press or cover the container with cheesecloth, and allow to sit at room temperature for at least 12 hours.
  5. When the coffee is ready, slowly press down the plunger of the French press, pressing the grinds to the bottom. If using a container, remove the cheesecloth and line a fine mesh strainer with it. Place over another container or bowl, and slowly pour coffee through the strainer. Allow the coffee to filter out before discarding the grinds and cheesecloth.
  6. The cold brew is ready to be served! Pour over regular ice or coffee iced cubes for a regular cold brew.
  7. To make the Vietnamese iced coffee, pour sweetened condensed milk, to taste, into a glass. Add ice cubes, and pour in the cold-brewed coffee. Stir to mix, and enjoy!

CHEF’S TIPS

  • The amounts of coffee beans and water listed here are a good ratio with which to start. Adjust according to your taste preference!
  • If you have any cold brew left over, pour the remaining coffee into ice cube trays, freeze and add to your NEXT iced coffee.

How do YOU prefer your iced coffee? Do you own a French press, or will you be making this one with a regular container? Are there any other cold-brewing tricks you think we should know?

Recipe adapted from Food52