Monday calls for coffee!
In the summer it is all about iced coffee! Years ago, I went to a nice coffee house and ordered vanilla cold brew. I was amazed at how smooth the taste was! I’ve been a fan since then, but it can get pretty expensive when you buy it already bottled.
I’ve been experimenting with some methods over the last few months and I finally found a combination that had a similar flavor to the coffee house!
Before I go on with the recipe, I have to give you some chemist tips on this! The chemistry of cold brew is all about oxidation, degradation, and volatility…but I won’t get into all that fun science stuff 😉 Basically, cold brew coffee is less acidic and bitter, thus giving it a smoother flavor!
[Tweet “Chemist tips on why cold brew coffee is better!”]
First, I will show you how I make the cold brew concentrate.
Cold Brew Concentrate
♥ 5 cups cold water
♥ 1 cup ground coffee (whatever your favorite roast is 🙂 )
Directions
In a large bowl, mix together the water and coffee, then cover. Place in the fridge for about 12-14 hours, it can even be longer, but I wouldn’t let it sit for more than 24 hours!
Now, you need to strain it! What you need:
♥ Fine Mesh Strainer
♥ Coffee Filters
♥ Jars for storing
I like to use both a strainer and filters together to ensure no coffee grounds escape! Put the strainer over the jar, then add a filter in the strainer. Pour (slowly), the concentrate mixture in. This can take a few minutes to strain through. I move it along with a spoon. Once the filter gets full, just change it out with a new one.
Now that you have it all strained you can store it in the fridge or go ahead and make some vanilla iced cold brew!
Vanilla Cold Brew
♥ 3/4c cold brew
♥ 1/4 c water
♥ 1 tbsp vanilla syrup or creamer (My favorite syrup)
♥ 3/4 c milk
♥ Sweetener to taste ( I use 2-3 packets of stevia)
♥ ice
Mix up all ingredients, then pour over ice. If it is still to strong, add some more milk or creamer. Definitely play around with the flavor!
[Tweet “DIY Vanilla Cold Brew”]
Now you can make your own cold brew right at home 🙂 Are you a coffee fan? If so, what is your favorite way to make it? I hope you have a great week!
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Alexis is an investigative chemist sharing her expertise in cleaning, skincare, gardening, and home hacks. She personally tests out products like the best skincare products or home products then shares not only the science behind how it works, but also her personal results. She is the mom of two living in Texas with her husband. Find her on Instagram for fantastic videos, tips, and behind the scenes.
Vanilla has become my all time favorite for coffee lately. I also know you say to not let it set for over 24 hours but I accidently did some for 2 days a few weeks ago and it was seriously some of the best ever!
Me too I love vanilla! I left some in for a few days once, and it turned bitter and gritty, but it was a pretty strong roast I was using already so it just made it more intense! Once I strain it, I can keep in the fridge for a month or more…it’s amazing how well it keeps its flavor! Have a great day!!
Pinned this for a later date! Looks delicious!
I hope you get to make it, it is really a good treat 🙂
Hi Alexis – hope you had a great weekend. Mine was a mish mash of all things, but the weather hindered me a bit. Not used to humidity, and it was only like 50-60% which is minor league compared to your area or the east coast.
Your cold brew looks good However I am not a coffee person. I do like vanilla though.
Enjoy your day! 🙂
Humidity can make the heat feel even worse, we have been having the same! Although, it has also been 100 degrees, so it has been pretty bad outside. I hope you have a great week!
Sweet Alexis, I love my coffee and I know I would love this 🙂 You need to open up your own coffee shop, my friend 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. HUGS!
Aw you are so sweet Stephanie!! You know, that would be a really fun thing to do! I hope you get to make this one 🙂 Have a great day!
You’re so smart! I love the iced caramel coffee from McDonalds.
Brenda
Thank you Brenda!! That sounds wonderful, I need to give those a try next I go by Mcdonalds! I love their regular coffee, so I bet it is really good!
Ok I don’t drink coffee can’t stand the taste or smell of it but other then that sounds nice
I am not much of a Coffee drinker and so I have never had a cold cup before. But this does sound good and when we have company over I may make it for my friends and family. So thank you for sharing the recipe.
I used to not like coffee much either, but I always enjoyed it better cold. I bet friends & family would really enjoy this! I make it for my friends when they stop by 🙂 Now I am a huge coffee fan & love it in any form 🙂 Have a great day!
Mmmmm! I have been wanting to try making cold brew coffee for awhile now. Starbucks just started offering it, and it’s amazing. It would be so fun (and less expensive) to make it at home. Vanilla is always my add-in of choice, so I am excited to try your recipe.
Thanks you Jenna! Oh, I need to try their coldbrew! Didn’t know they offered it. I usually don’t care much for their coffee, but I will definitely try that out 🙂 I hope you enjoy making it!
I love cold brew coffee 🙂 Especially on a hot summer day like today! But I always forget to get is brewing before I want it, so you just reminded me to go get some going for tomorrow. Thanks 🙂
That’s the only thing…remembering to make it the day before! I always forget too! I hope you get to make a batch to enjoy tomorrow 🙂
I just recently got to try cold brew coffee. It’s delicious! Looking forward to making it at home thanks to your recipe!
Thanks Marie! I hope you enjoy it! Cold brew is really delicious, I think it may be my favorite way to drink coffee now 🙂
Yum – that looks amazing, and easy…my favorite! 🙂
Thank you Jamie!! It is really easy, and so delicious too 🙂
I will have to try this with almond milk!
It is great with almond milk! I love almond milk…it is so creamy!
I live in Sweden so it is not often I get an urge for ice coffee. But this recipe sounds really fun, so perhaps I will try it out.
Great blog you have here by the way! 🙂
Thank you! If you ever do decide to have a cold coffee, I hope you can give this a try…it really is the best way to have it! In Texas, it is over 100 degrees now so I am definitely drinking this often in the summer 🙂 Have a great day!
Ooooh this looks so tempting, perfect for summer! I love a good iced coffee, but this cold brew sounds even better.
Thanks Christina! It is so smooth & delicious, I love making it at home! 🙂
I have never cold brewed coffee before, I have done it with tea. This recipe sounds wonderful for summer!
Thank you Michele! It is really delicious 🙂
Thanks for sharing! I love cold brew and vanilla lattes…this seems like a great combo!
Thanks Rosie! It is one of my favorite combos!
I have not made iced coffee in a long time, reading your post and recipe, I am thinking it won’t be long before I make it.
Thanks for bringing good coffee to Fridays Blog Booster Party #16
Kathleen
Thank you Kathleen! It is always a nice treat in the summer 🙂
I looks very tasty – Thanks for linking up to Pin Worthy Wednesday, I have pinned your post to the Pin Worthy Wednesday Pinterest Board.
Thank you!
Yumm I definitely have to try this – I have SUCH an addiction to iced coffee in the summer, but have never succeeded in making one at home that tastes good. I am so excited to try this out! Thanks for sharing
Xo
Lee | LegalLee Blonde
I hope you enjoy it! I am an iced coffee addict in the summer as well! Have a great evening!
This looks so yummy and something that I would love. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Allie! It is one of my favorites! I hope you get a chance to make it 🙂
Awesome recipe! I can’t wait to try it out. I am a huge fan of Chick-fil-a’s vanilla iced coffee. Now I can make it myself. Thanks for linking up with Share the Wealth Sunday. I’m going to share this on my FB page and blog this week.
Oh wow, I didn’t even know Chick Fila had iced coffee…I am definitely going to give that a try ASAP! Thank you so much Hannah! Have a wonderful day!
Wow, I am going to have to try this one out. 🙂 🙂
I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Thanks for sharing at my Grandma Ideas Sharing Time link party!!
Thanks Nina!
This recipe looks pretty easy! I love my iced coffee and usually save my leftover morning coffee in the fridge for the afternoon iced cup. I love creamer but refuse to buy most of them that have hydrogenated veg oil and corn syrup. I use the Bailey’s which is simply milk, cream and sugar and the flavor. I mix that with fat free half-and-half to reduce the sugar further. thank you for posting this on #TheLeisureLink!
I haven’t tried Bailey’s before, but I have seen it at the store. I will have to try that out! I have been using Silk almond milk creamer with just a few ingredients, and it is really delicious! Thanks so much!
This sounds so yummy and I’m so bummed I missed it earlier this summer. Thanks to your dealspotr interview, I found it. This sounds so much better than the Pioneer Woman recipe everyone was going nuts over. Making this ASAP!
I love this one because it is just so simple! And the flavor comes out like the best cold brew I have tasted. In fact, this is better than most I have bought at the store. Let me know how it turns out!
I’m so excited to try this! I love iced coffee!
This one is so yummy, and really easy to keep on hand! Me too, iced coffee is really just the best 🙂