by 18 people |
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: $30.76 (as of 07/12/2009) 
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: $23.00 (as of 07/12/2009)
List Price: $24.00
Usually ships in 3-4 business days
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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TodDemuth wrote...
Cool -- I do find the Toddy System is a bit messy to execute once in a while. Gonna have to give this a try!
Posted November 15, 2008
Linda wrote
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.
Posted October 16, 2008
Gino wrote
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
Posted September 24, 2008
TodDemuth wrote...
When I started this page, I didn't intend to create a debate on the financial issues of cold brew coffee, although it seems to have moved that way. I simply wanted to show some of the different ways one could make it. Everyone is going to put a different value upon what cold brew coffee is worth to them, and each is going to have their preferred method of brewing -- for whatever reasons -- and that's the way it should be.
Posted August 16, 2008
Eron wrote
To people who question the purpose of spending money on a cold brew system like the Toddy, I say this. You needn't spend money on a pizza cutter if you have a knife or on a dish rack when a towel will suffice. We use such tools not because they are necessary but because they offer superior utility and convenience at a low cost.
I've read blogs recommending insanely elaborate DIY cold brewing methods like this - http://www.ineedcoffee.com/06/coldhome/ - that cost more in time and effort than they save in dollars and cents. Consider the matter in economic terms. If I earn $10 per hour, and rather than spending $30 on a Toddy, I spend three hours over the next two months hand-filtering coffee, I've essentially made my money back (in labor hours) in just two months. Commodities may not bring happiness in and of themselves, but for those of us who live for life's simple pleasures, they can certainly make the path smoother and less acerbic along the way.
Posted July 24, 2008
Coffee Making Videos
Other ways folks are making coffee
by TodDemuth
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