Do you cold brew?

I do!  I love all things coffee, and cold brew is no exception.  I think cold brew is better than most coffee, just like 5sos is better than most boy bands.  (If you don’t think so, go listen to “Jet Black Heart” and “Amnesia.”  Then get back to me!)

So what exactly is cold brew coffee?
Cold brew coffee is just what the name says…coffee brewed with cold water instead of hot.  Coffee grounds are mixed with water and allowed to sit in the fridge for anywhere from 12 to 24 hours.
One of the big benefits of cold brew coffee is the fact that it is much less acidic than traditionally brewed coffee.  Some people that don’t tolerate regular coffee do just fine with cold brew.
Personally, I like it because of the taste…it is smooth, and never bitter.  It is so smooth that I can drink it black, but I usually add a splash of coconut milk.  If I’m at home, I stir in some Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides.  Might as well help my skin, hair and nails while I enjoy a refreshing glass of iced coffee…right?
Over the last few years, cold brew has been popping up everywhere.  Many smaller, independent coffee shops carry it, as well as Starbucks.  You can buy it bottled at some better grocery stores, or you can make it yourself at home.
Chameleon Cold Brew is a brand that is becoming more and more popular.  It is sold two ways…in a concentrate that you dilute to your liking at home (I just bought some at Wegmans) and in smaller, ready to drink bottles that are at some convenience stores.  I am holding the concentrated Chameleon Cold Brew in the pic above.
I have tried making cold brew at home three ways.  A few summers ago, I was feeling ambitious and made it without any special equipment following some instructions I found online.  I just mixed ground coffee with water…one part coffee to two parts water…and let it sit in the fridge overnight.  Then you strain it into another container.  Which is the hard part.  I had coffee grounds all over the counter and my white tank.  The coffee was delicious (it produces a concentrate), but every time I made it I created a giant mess.
So then I tried Toddy.  This is a system for making cold brew coffee at home with a little less mess.  There’s still a learning curve, but it’s much easier.  If you follow the directions given, it also makes a concentrate.   This keeps in the fridge a long time and you dilute it as needed.
Recently I discovered a new trick…using my French press!  I put 2/3 of a cup of ground coffee in my French press, added 3 cups of water, and stirred.  You can vary the proportions depending on how strong you want it.  Put the top on (don’t plunge) and let it sit in the fridge for at least 12 hours.  You can go longer…up to 24 if you like.  Then take it out, plunge, and pour into a container to keep in the fridge.  The proportions I used made a very strong coffee…either use a lot of ice, or dilute it a bit.
All of the versions of cold brew coffee taste good to me…definitely smoother, but very rich.  If I had to pick a favorite, the Chameleon Cold Brew would be it.  The Unsweetened Vanilla is pretty amazing.  I liked this better than my homemade brew, or the cold brew from Starbucks.  But they were all good, and definitely have more flavor than a traditional iced coffee.
So what if you can’t have coffee, or just want something different?  Crio Bru to the rescue!  Crio Bru is made from cocoa beans that are roasted and ground like coffee, and is amazing!  So amazing that I wrote a whole post on it!
Dark, rich and satisfying…
With Crio Bru, you should still use hot water to brew, then chill in the fridge for an iced drink.  Crio Bru can be prepared in any type of coffee maker, but a French press works the best.  Delicious, tons of antioxidants, less caffeine than decaf coffee.  Can’t beat it!
So, can cold brew help you feel happy, healthy and hot?  Of course it can!  Nothing makes me happier than a refreshing cold drink on a hot summer day.  Coffee and Crio Bru are both high in antioxidants that support your health.  And if you mix in some of my fave collagen peptides from Vital Proteins, you will have healthy skin, hair and nails…very hot!
SHOP THE POST:
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
French Press
Toddy Cold Brew System
Crio Bru