I have no idea why the idea of making iced coffee at home always intimidated me. I have made hot coffee at home for years to save money, but for some reason- I thought iced coffee was beyond me, or that Starbucks had some wizard barista knowledge to make theirs taste so darn good.
I would like to give Starbucks their credit for making yummy iced coffee, but if you’d like to make it at home yourself, I assure you, it’s easier than you think and you don’t need anything special to make it…not even a coffee maker!
I love to grind up my fair trade coffee beans fresh, but if you can use plain ol’ coffee grounds. Measure out about 6 ounces of coarsely ground beans with about 6 cups of cool or cold water. You can use a large pitcher, canister, or in this case, a giant mason jar.
(Honestly, I just eyeball a bunch of grounds to the first line of the big ol’ jar…scientific I know.)
You’ll add water to the coffee grounds, filling it, and sealing it. Shake the mixture to ensure the grounds don’t lump together. You’ll simply then leave your coffee mixture out for a few hours- usually overnight, and it will cold brew on your countertop. Cold brewing (without the hot water, not necessarily icy cold water) simply means that your coffee takes longer, but it won’t have the acidic taste that a hot brew creates. Without rushing the brewing process with hot water, you’ll end up with really smooth coffee.
Leave the mixture out overnight, shaking it a few times to ensure it mixes properly. Cold brew coffee can sit out for up to two days without getting bitter- so if you forget it, no worries!
We have a strainer in our house that’s “mug sized” and one that’s larger to sit over a secondary mason jar for bigger batches. Before we had strainers though, I’ve used coffee filters and a regular coffee pot (without turning it on!) to strain the mixture. Yes, I’ve even tried to strain with a paper towel (desperate for a fix much??!) but honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it…get a strainer, it helps. 😉
Add some ice, sugar (we use simple syrup which I should make a tutorial on how to make, it’s stupid easy!), and some cream. It tastes just as good as Starbucks and is so refreshing on a hot day. Store any unused portions in the fridge.
Honestly, I wish I’d started making it sooner- it’s so easy. A large batch in a big mason jar will last us through the work week (about 6 servings.)
Cold brew coffee is great, especially for summer road trips! It’s sort of crazy how expensive it is in stores when it’s so easy to make at home!
Totally Sarah! When I discovered how easy it was, I kicked myself for not trying it sooner!
This could possibly change my life 🙂
Thank you for sharing this way of making cold brewed coffee!! We only have a Keruig now and all other ways involve equipment we don’t have! Will be making this soon!!!!
I make a huge batch (like 2+ gallons at a time) cold brewed overnight in the fridge, strain through cheesecloth, and stored. I love making it at home!
Thanks for sharing! This looks super easy and yummy! Also, I would love to see a tutorial on how you make your syrup.
I love this, will be trying this this week 🙂
x
Jess
http://www.mossandmink.com
Thank you! I’ve been looking for a recipe!
Thank you for this nice and detailed article on iced coffee maker
Who needs to go to Starbucks when we can actually make iced coffee at home? And no need for a coffee maker. Easy breezy. Thanks for this. – Ryan
I hope you enjoy it!
This is fantastic. Thank you!!!
Great! This is $5 a day removed from Starbucks bills. You are indeed living the frugal and tasteful life Shannyn.
Never heard about cold brew before but I’m going to experiment on it this weekend.
What a big savings! We spend way too much on coffee and tea at Starbucks! We bought two Takeya containers from Costco and put all our home made beverages in them! Looks like we’ll be trying coffee now! Thank you bunches! Good read!
I did this very thing last night. So good!
Cold brews are my cheap indulgence!
I love iced coffee so much but I’ve never thought of making it by myself….till now. I will try this during the holidays.
thank you for the recipe but you did not mention what kind of coffee does it have to be starbucks coffee grounds or any kind i would like to know how to make your syrup please thans i am going to try this sometime
What a great idea! I am always looking for new uses for old drawers, I have tons of them! Thank you for sharing at Redoux, I am featuring tomorrow 🙂 Party starts at 5:00 EST.coffee lover