Cold Brew Coffee has become the new generation’s preferred method of drinking coffee. Most people prefer cold brew over a regular brew and why wouldn’t they? It is low in acidity, sweeter in taste, and gives the perfect coffee buzz, what else do you need?
One of the best things about cold brew is that its concentrate can be used in a number of ways. With these options and variations, you can try a different coffee every day!
Today, we want to discuss the 6 best ways to drink cold brew coffee. But, before we go on talking about cold brew and its variations, let’s first see what cold brew coffee is and how to make it.
What Is Cold Brew?
Just as the name suggests cold brew coffee is coffee brewed with cold water. In simple words, the process of making cold brew involves steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold or room-temperature water for 12 to 14 hours.
It started gaining popularity in recent years. One of the most common reasons people prefer it over regularly brewed coffee is because it is less acidic and has a sweeter and smoother flavor.
Extremely simple to make at home, and can be made in a number of ways. Dilute your cold brew concentrate with ice and water, milk, soda, etc. Start your summer day with a chilled, refreshing cold brew for the perfect morning buzz.
Thanks to its amazing shelf life, Cold Brew concentrates are also sold in bottled form in retail stores. This is perfect for people who want to grab a quick cup of coffee in between work.
[Also Read: Can cold brew coffee grounds be reused?]
How To Make Cold-brew Coffee (Step-by-Step Instructions)
Cold Brew is by far one of the easiest ways of making coffee that we have come across. Sure, it takes longer than regular coffee. But the refreshing taste after the coffee has brewed properly is worth the wait.
What You’ll Need
- 1½ cup of coarsely ground coffee
- 3 cups water
- Mesh sieve
- Cheesecloth or Napkin
The Process
1. Add the coffee grounds to a mason jar or any other container. Add water and give it a good stir.
2. Cover and let it sit at room temperature for 12 to 14 hours. If you want to keep the Cold Brew in the Refrigerator, it may take more time, around 16 to 18 hours or so.
3. When you are ready to strain your brew, take a large bowl and a cheesecloth or a thin cloth. Place the mesh sieve over the bowl and spread the cheesecloth on it.
4. Pour the brew on the cheesecloth. Make sure the coffee grounds are separated from the water completely.
5. Refrigerate immediately after. When serving, fill a glass with ice, add the Cold brew, add your favorite variation and enjoy!
Pro Tip – Want the perfectly ground coffee beans for your cold brew, choose from these top grinders.
Also, Learn How to Make Cold Brew in a French Press – Read More
How to Drink Cold Brew Coffee – 6 Best Ways
Once you have your cold brew concentrate ready, you can start trying different cold brew recipes.
Be prepared to take your coffee drinking experience to a whole new level with these 6 methods-
1. Iced Cold Brew Latte
The first coffee recipe obviously had to be an iced version of cold brew. Refreshing, strong, and delicious are the best qualities of this beverage.
Here’s how you can make an Iced Cold Brew Latte at home-
Ingredients
- ¾ Cup Cold Brew
- ½ Cup Ice
- ¼ Cup Milk
- Sweetener of Choice (Optional)
- Flavored Syrup of Choice (Optional)
Process
➤The first step is to fill a tall glass with ice. Next, add chilled cold brew to the glass.
➤The second step is to add simple syrup or any other sweetener of choice. You can also add any flavored syrup like vanilla, hazelnut, etc as per your preference.
Click here to read a guide on different flavored syrups for coffee.
➤Next, use a milk frother to create cold foam for the final step. If you do not have a frother you can also add milk directly.
➤Finally, top it off with frothy milk. Scrape the foam and add it on top. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Must Read: Difference between cold brew and iced coffee!
2. Hot Brew Cappuccino
It is presumed by many that cold brew is only used for cold coffee beverages, if you think so too- let us tell you, you’re wrong!
Cold Brew can also be used to prepare delicious warm coffee. All you need to do is dilute your cold brew concentrate in a little bit of water and heat it up.
Ingredients
- ⅔ Cup heated cold brew
- ¼ Cup Milk
Process
➤ The first step is to heat your cold brew concentrate. You can either take equal quantities of water and concentrate or one part concentrate and two parts water.
Worried that heating cold brew would make it acidic? Find out what happens here.
➤ Next, take a coffee mug and put the hot brew.
➤ To make a cappuccino, one of the most important ingredients is to create frothy milk. For this use a milk frother and create hot foam.
Here is a list of 10 Best Milk Frothers for Making Cappuccino
➤ Finally, add frothed milk on top of the coffee. Scrape the foam from the frother and add it to the cup. Enjoy your hot coffee!
From what we noticed, preparing hot coffee from cold brew was indeed a beautiful experience. The taste of the coffee was different from regular cappuccino.
It has a subtle and sweet flavor. However, be sure to not overheat your cold brew since over-oxidation of coffee can leave you with a stale cup of coffee.
3. Cold Brew Soda
Cold Brew Soda may sound a little weird and experimental for some people. But, trust us this is where the fun stuff comes in! Coffee doesn’t always have to be about milk or water-based beverages.
This chilled, refreshing beverage using soda water is a perfect summer caffeine treat. Here is a step-by-step process on how you can make it for yourself-
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cold brew concentrate
- 1 cup soda water
- 1 Tbsp simple syrup
- ½ cup ice
Process
➤ Take a tall glass and fill it with ice. Add the chilled cold brew concentrate.
➤ Add simple syrup to the cold brew mix and give it a good stir.
➤ Finally, add soda water to the top. Serve chilled.
An easy three-step process, yet one of the most refreshing coffee recipes. Give it a try and you’re surely going to enjoy this version of coffee.
4. Cold Brew with Sweetened Condensed Milk
Sweetened condensed milk can be paired with any dessert or beverages and elevate the whole experience of the dish.
Famously used in Vietnamese coffee, condensed milk with coffee is truly a delight. If you like your coffee sweet then this is the perfect recipe for you.
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Ice
- 2 Tbsp Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1 Cup Cold Brew
Process
➤ First, take a tall glass and fill it with ice.
➤ Next, drizzle sweetened condensed milk over the ice.
➤ Finally, add cold brew and give it a good stir!
5. Cold Brew Martini
Another really cool way to make use of your cold brew is to prepare a cool coffee cocktail. Some of the famous coffee beverages out there that you must have heard of are cold brew martini and Irish coffee.
Not only are these beverages refreshing but they also add a cool buzz to your regular Friday drink. So, what are you waiting for? Try this recipe and find out if it’s your kind of drink or not!
Here’s a Cold Brew Martini Recipe you can try!
6. Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
If you have had the chance to sip on this heavenly coffee drink by Starbucks, you would know and understand why everybody is raving about it.
The deadly combination of chilled Cold Brew and vanilla flavored sweet cream is to die for! This easy recipe will help you make this amazing coffee at home!
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Cold Brew
- ½ Cup Ice
- ¼ Cup Half-and-Half
- 2 Tbsp Vanilla Syrup
- 2 Tsp Sugar Syrup or Simple Syrup
Process
➤Take a glass and add Half-and-Half, vanilla syrup, and simple syrup. Now stir it together properly to make the delicious vanilla-flavored sweet cream.
➤ Next, take another tall glass and fill it with ice. Add the cold brew.
➤ Finally, add the vanilla sweet cream. There you have it – refreshing vanilla sweet cream cold brew at home!
For a complete guide on Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew with expert tips – Click Here!
4 Amazing Benefits of Cold Brew Coffee
By now you must have had a clear understanding of how refreshing a glass of cold brew can be and with the number of variations available on the internet trying out different recipes using a simple brew is extremely simple.
But what most people do not know is that this coffee has some really impressive benefits. Here are just some of the benefits that Cold Brew Coffee has to offer:
It has that Extra Caffeine Kick
Due to the extra-long steeping process, Cold Brew requires more coffee than regular brew. Therefore giving the drink a strong coffee flavor and extra caffeine kick.
It is easy on Stomach
Even though Cold Brew has more caffeine than regular brews, it is said to be lighter on the stomach. This happens primarily because you do not use heat anywhere in the brewing process, which results in a smoother and less acidic coffee.
It is less Acidic
Cold Brew coffee is less acidic than hot brew coffee. This is good especially if you are prone to acid reflux or heartburn. Cold Brew is the right choice for you!
It is easy to drink it black
Yes, you read that right. Most coffee purists agree that it is easier to drink Cold Brew Coffee black than any other hot brew. This happens because it is less acidic and has a really smooth and sweet flavor.
For the Ultimate Guide of Making Cold Brew Coffee – Click Here!
⬆️ This Guide covers everything from the basics to advanced topics of making a cold brew, learning the best coffee type, kind of coffee grounds, required, and more from this article.
Final Thoughts
Here are some of the ways you can get really innovative and try out different coffee recipes from cold brew.
All the above recipes are refreshing, delicious and a great treat. Try these out and let us know how they turn out. Happy Caffeinating!
Related Questions
If you’re brewing a batch of cold brew concentrate, then follow the ratio of 1:2. For every 1 part of coffee use 2 parts water.
Yes, you can put milk in cold brew. However, do not mix milk with cold brew and store it in the fridge for too long.
Yes, you can put cold brew in the fridge. If made and stored properly, cold brew can last for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
You can definitely add cream to cold brew. Experimenting with your coffee is the only way to find out what you like best so try out different flavored creamers if you’d like so.
There are a number of ways you can sweeten cold brew, either through sugar, simple syrup, or flavored syrups. Try different things and see what you like the best.
