Description
A smooth and refreshing cold brew coffee recipe featuring simple plant-based ingredients. Perfect for a mellow, low-acidity coffee experience that can be enjoyed chilled anytime. Easy to prepare, versatile for customization, and ideal for busy mornings or relaxing afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup Coarse Coffee Grounds (freshly ground beans)
- 4 cups Filtered Water
- Maple Syrup (natural), to taste
- Vanilla Extract (natural), to taste
- Plant-Based Milk, to taste
Optional Variations
- Cinnamon sticks or a pinch of cardamom (for spiced cold brew)
- Cocoa powder and additional Plant-Based Milk (for mocha twist)
- Orange or lemon peel (for citrus zest)
- Date Syrup (natural), as alternative sweetener
- Plant-Based Ice Cream (for iced coffee float)
Instructions
- Choose Your Coffee and Grind: Start with fresh, whole coffee beans and coarsely grind them to a texture similar to raw sugar. This coarse grind is essential because it allows water to extract flavor slowly and evenly without becoming bitter or muddy.
- Combine Coffee and Water: In a large jar or pitcher, mix your coffee grounds with filtered water. A common ratio is 1 cup of coffee grounds to 4 cups of water, but feel free to adjust for a stronger or lighter brew.
- Steep Overnight: Cover the container and let it sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12 to 18 hours. This slow infusion pulls out the complex flavors gently, making your cold brew incredibly smooth.
- Strain the Coffee: Once steeped, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter or cheesecloth to remove the grounds. This step ensures your cold brew is clear and free from any gritty texture.
- Flavor and Serve: Sweeten with maple syrup (natural) or vanilla extract (natural), stir in your plant-based milk, and pour over ice for a refreshing drink. Adjust sweetness and milk levels according to your taste preferences.
Notes
- Use freshly roasted and ground coffee beans for the best flavor profile and aroma.
- Store your cold brew in the refrigerator to keep it fresh and maintain its smoothness.
- Experiment with grind size to improve extraction and suit your personal taste.
- Use quality filtered water for a purer flavor.
- Adjust brew time if your coffee tastes too bitter or weak, modifying steeping time as needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-18 hours steeping
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Cold Brewing
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: cold brew coffee, plant-based coffee, smooth coffee, refreshing iced coffee, homemade cold brew
