An alternative means to make one of the world's most loved beverages.
I am a big fan of cold brewed coffee...but many abhor it. It's got about 60% less acid than other brewing methods (which accounts for most of the flavor change) and more caffeine. That's okay by me. I like ALL KINDS of coffee: French press, percolator, espresso, drip -- coffee is wonderful stuff. But for my everyday, always-got-a-cup-in-my-hand times, I like what is known as a hot Toddy, named after the fellow who invented the easy way to brew cold coffee.
From what I understand, even the big coffee shops, such as Starbucks and others use coffee "concentrate" or "elixer" in some of their recipes. I know that if you add about one jigger of concentrate to a large Dairy Queen shake it makes a great Java Shake! It also makes great ice coffee! (Most commercial iced coffees in the cooler at the convenience store were made with cold brewed coffee!)
To learn what others think of cold brew coffee, check out the Toddy/Coldbrew Thread at the Coffee forums. People from all walks of life have put together a very enlightening discussion about this unique way to make coffee.
The Best Way to Make Cold Brewed Coffee
The way I make cold brew coffee is with the Toddy System. In a nutshell, you take one pound of ground coffee, let it steep in about 9 cups of water for 10 to twelve hours then drain off the concentrate.In my concoction, I use about 6 to 7 parts coffee and 9 parts water. It's not an exact science at my house, yet.
It's kind of like brewing beer; you experiment until you find exactly what you're looking for in flavor.
Below are some of the devices and methods folks use to make their brew.
How-to Cold Brew Coffee
Since it's not rocket science, there's lots of ideas online about how to cold brew coffee!
- First Time Method
- If you have never had cold brewed coffee and aren't sure what to do, here's how you make your first couple of cups. The recipe says mix one part coffee elixir and one part water, but I recommend no more than 1 to 3 or even 1 to 5.
- Cold Brew Coffee with a Toddy Coffee Maker
- When you are ready to cold brew coffee regularly and make it your primary way to make coffee, the Toddy is a great way to go. Michael Allen Smith does a great job (with pictures) on how to cold brew coffee with the Toddy System. A definite must-see before you just-do!
- Cold Brew Coffee on the Cheap
- Malcom McFarren shows a pretty easy (and virtually free) way to build your own cold brew coffee system...for those who want to try this type of coffee before buying a Toddy System.
- Simplified Cold Brewing
- Here's how Tom Hawkins puts together his brewing system -- simple and, uh unique.
- Hour Glass Coffee System
- This system is a home model like the Toddy System -- Linda found it and brought it to my attention. There's many ways it can be done, and here's another way to get 'er done!
- Vacuum coffee brewer@Everything2.com
- Vacuum brewing makes the BEST coffee. Press pots don't hold a candle to ... The carafe is partly filled with near boiling water, if you use cold water, ...
Cold Brew Coffee Tools & Supplies
More gadgets and do hickies to make coffee.
Toddy Cold Brew System
This is the system I use -- very easy to clean (even I can do it) and everything you need is there!
Amazon Price: $31.85 (as of 12/20/2009) ![]()
List Price: $37.50
Usually ships in 24 hours
Krups 203-42 Fast Touch Coffee Grinder, Black
Whether it is this one or an old fashioned hand grinder (boy I would like one of those) you're gonna need to grind beans some how.
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 12/20/2009) ![]()
List Price: $24.00
Usually ships in 24 hours
Cold Brew Coffee Recipes
When just a hot cup of Joe ain't enough...
- ToddyCafe
- This is a home site of the Toddy System. Sign up for a registered account and you can download "The Toddy Recipe Collection" for free. This 122 page ebook has recipes for hot and cold drinks, desserts, breads, meats, alcoholic beverages and more.
- Cool Brew Recipes
- From the New Orleans based Cool Brew Coffee company. Some Great Dessert Drinks here!
- Save Money: Fancy and Cheap Coffee Recipes
- World Champion barista shares her best cappuccino, mocha and latte recipes.
- The Authentic Cuban expresso Coffee Recipes
- Relive these Cuban glory days in your own home with your do-it-yourself Cuban expresso coffee recipes. Cuban cigars may be illegal, but great coffee made ...
My Cold Brew Coffee Recipes
Cup of Joe
1 part coffee concentrate
4-5 parts hot water
Boil water in the microwave. Let it set a minute or two before adding the concentrate. Then add cream, sugar, and any other condiment you like with your coffee. This is my everyday cup of joe.
Java Latte
1 part coffee concentrate
1 part whipping cream or 2 parts milk
3-4 parts water
Your favorite sweetener
Mix the whipping cream or milk with the water and heat; try not to boil it as it will sweeten the the mixture, and not in a good way. Mix in the concentrate then sweeten to taste. I occassionally like to sprinkle cinnamon or other spice on it for fun. Great on Saturday or Sunday mornings.
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The Coffee Shop
So what's in your coffee cup? Let us know!
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- Pasquini-Livia-90-Reviews Pasquini-Livia-90-Reviews Oct 14, 2009 @ 10:25 am
- Really great work! Keep em coming
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- Treasures-By-Brenda Treasures-By-Brenda Jul 12, 2009 @ 8:13 am
- Welcome to the Culinary Favorites From A to Z group. It is appearing in the C is for Coffee section. Don't forget to come back and add your lens to the link list so that it will appear on the group page! Nicely done lens, blessed by a SquidAngel.
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- TodDemuth TodDemuth Nov 15, 2008 @ 11:01 pm
- Cool -- I do find the Toddy System is a bit messy to execute once in a while. Gonna have to give this a try!
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- Linda Linda Oct 16, 2008 @ 1:44 pm
- Here's a brand new cold brew coffee maker Tod: it's the Hourglass made by Bean Logik in Vancouver, Washington. Unlike the unwieldy Toddy which is an assemblage of parts, this is truly an appliance and it's shaped like an hourglass. It's a green product, uses no electricity, and makes coffee in BPA free plastic with a stainless steel filter. It's easy to use with the advantage of being able to use the ground beans twice. I suggest you go to http://hourglasscoffee.com and check it out.
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- Gino Gino Sep 24, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
- I have a paint by numbers version of how to make coldbrew without any special gadgets. I don't see the point in making a couple cups at a time if you brew for 10-12 hours. I make a half gallon at a time.
http://rabblog.com/?p=136#content
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by TodDemuth
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