Just as the cool air of the dairy section hit my face I saw it for the first time in all it’s rich brown glory! Half gallons of brewed black iced coffee from Starbucks. At $4.99 a container, I picked it up, refrained from hugging it, and placed it right in my cart. I knew that I was on my way to daily iced coffee perfection and had found the best coffee for cold brew experiences.
This relationship lasted for about 2 months before I realized I was starting to add 2 containers to my cart to get through one week. My consumption totals were beginning to make it a non-thrifty habit.
That’s about the time that I remembered going to a baby shower several years ago where the hostess had made the most amazing iced coffee I had ever tasted and she had made it using a cold brew process.
Truth be told, hot brewing coffee for cold consumption just isn’t the same. It always seems weak and watered down to me. After a few months of experimentation, I have mastered my own craft of making the perfect cup of iced coffee and now I’ll share my cold brew process with you!
Best Coffee For Cold Brew Supplies:
- 3 & 3/4 cups of your favorite ground coffee. I REALLY like the Starbucks brand coffees since the deliver on the flavor I’m looking for. I like the strength of the Espresso Roast. I feel like any roast of Starbucks brand coffee comes out tasting AMAZING. You can find the version I used on Amazon- Starbucks Espresso Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee, 20-Ounce Bag
- A large 1-gallon pitcher (like this one -(Rubbermaid 711717429960 Gallon Covered Pitcher 1 Gallon (Set of 2), kkkk, White
)
- Flour Sack Kitchen Towels (I got mine at Target but you can also find these towels on Amazon) Aunt Martha’s White Flour Sack Dish Towels, Size 28-Inch by 28-Inch, 2-Pack
- Metal Mesh Sieve or Strainer (like this Cuisinart CTG-00-3MS Set of 3 Fine Mesh Stainless Steel Strainers
)
- Large Bowl
- Water
)
)
Best Coffee For Cold Brew Recipe Step 1:
Grind your coffee or purchase pre-ground coffee- it’s totally up to you.
Best Coffee For Cold Brew Recipe Step 2:
In my experiments I figured out all the math calculations for you so you should be able to measure out 3 & 3/4 cups of coffee grounds for one gallon of iced coffee. If you want your coffee to be STRONG go for 4 cups.
Best Coffee For Cold Brew Recipe Step 3:
I add my grounds to a pliable cup or bowl so I can easily shake the grounds into the opening of my pitcher. If you are using at large open pitcher this won’t be an issue.
Best Coffee For Cold Brew Recipe Step 4:
I add the 3 & 3/4 cups of grounds directly to my empty coffee pitcher.
Best Coffee For Cold Brew Recipe Step 5:
Add your water. I’m a tap water person myself, but if you want to be fancy you could use a gallon of spring water or whatever fits your fancy. Just fill the pitcher all the way to the top. As in dangerously close to the top.
The coffee grounds do take up some space so if you don’t fill it really well, you’ll end up with more like a half gallon of coffee instead of a gallon.
Best Coffee For Cold Brew Recipe Step 6:
Put the lid on and stick it in your refrigerator for around 8 hours. Personally, I make my brew on Friday night before I go to bed and then wrap up the process the next morning. Then I know it’s had plenty of time to marinate and I have a fresh cup on Saturday morning! 
Best Coffee For Cold Brew Recipe Step 7:
After your coffee has had time to cold brew in the water, in your fridge grab a nice BIG bowl and your metal sieve or strainer. You need to the strainer to be smaller than the diameter of the bowl or your gonna have a mess.
Best Coffee For Cold Brew Recipe Step 7:
Take one of your flour sack towels, open it all the way up and then fold it in half. Place the flour sack into your strainer and press it down to conform to shape of your strainer.
Best Coffee For Cold Brew Recipe Step 9:
Carefully and slowly begin to pour the coffee from the pitcher into the middle of your towel inside your strainer. Keep the strainer over the bowl to catch the coffee. The towel and strainer combo will catch your coffee grounds.
Best Coffee For Cold Brew Recipe Step 10:
As you pour, you may need a spoon or fork to scrap the grounds out of the way as they build up inside your strainer. If they start to clog up the strainer, your coffee will get closer and closer to the top of the strainer while it waits to fall through. If you scrap the grounds away from the center of your strainer, the liquid should continue to strain into the bowl below.
Best Coffee For Cold Brew Recipe Step 11:
When you are done, you’ll have this glorious bowl of coffee. I simply rinse the rest of the grounds out of my coffee pitcher, clean it a little and then use a measuring cup with a spout to pour all the filtered liquid back into my pitcher.
Best Coffee For Cold Brew Recipe Step 12:
Once your are done, you can go ahead and pour yourself a glass or put it back in the fridge!
That’s how I make my weekly supply cold brew iced coffee recipe. I hope that you will enjoy it this spring and summer as much as I do!
What’s your favorite creamer or addition to iced coffee? As a fan of all things caramel machiatto, I’m a huge fan of Mrs Happy Homemaker and this French Vanilla Coffee Creamer Recipe.
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Jen says
You should get a French Press. You wouldn’t have to strain the grounds at all!
Kim Anderson says
What is the magical thing you speak of?
Cherub says
Thanks so much for this awesome recipe! I made it last night and I’m getting ready to strain it now. I love me some ice coffe…I don’t love the ice coffee prices 🙂
Kim Anderson says
Cherub it make some tweeking here and there to get it where you like it but this brew is perfect for me and my level of strength! Thanks for letting me know you are trying it out!
Amy Newman says
Whew- you did all the math for me! I love a glass of dark black coffee- extra ice- in the afternoon. Thanks!
Kim Anderson says
Amy, no problem!! Hope you enjoy the recipe
reina says
Is this a concentrate…does it need to be watered down or just simple pour over ice and add cream and sweetener if desired
Kim Anderson says
Reina, it really depends on how strong you like it. If it comes out too strong for your taste just add some water. Otherwise I just pour a glass straight from the pitcher and drink it with creamer & ice!
Sandy says
When I make iced coffee, I freeze some of the coffee in ice cube trays and use them instead of regular ice. As the cubes melt, the coffee gets stronger. Yum!
Kim Anderson says
Thanks so much for sharing this idea. I need to add this to my weekly prep work too!
Sandy says
Can’t wait to try this – I love easy recipes!
Kim Anderson says
Thanks Sandy! Hope you love it