Cold brew coffee has become a staple of the coffee community,providing another way to enjoy coffee without the bitter taste. If you have ever wondered what it takes to turn a simple cold brew into a beautiful creation, you have come to the right post. We appreciate the coffee connoisseurs and the barista wannabes. We have a lot of variations to help personalize your cold brew creation. Each of the suggestions has the ideal purpose of providing new flavors and helping you create the perfect drink. This can be done with the right addition of simple ingredients such as a splash of vanilla syrup or zest of fresh citrus. We hope to provide the coffee community with the perfect addition to their cold brew coffee collection.
1. Classic Cold Brew
The first part to creating cold brew coffee is also the most simple; it is a process that anyone can do in their own home. The only ingredients needed are water and ground coffee beans. Start by coarsely grinding your chosen coffee beans. We recommend a ratio of one cup of coffee to four cups of water but feel free to adjust as you desire. Take your chosen coffee grounds and water and mix them in a jar or French press; ensure all of the coffee grounds are immersed in the water. Cover your container and let it steep in the refrigerator for a period of time anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Once the time period is finished, you will need to filter the coffee by using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. With that, you have a homemade cold brew coffee concentrate! This drink can be personalized by diluting it to your desired strength with water or milk, and then served with ice or enjoyed as is!
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2. Vanilla Infused Cold Brew
Add a whole new element to your cold brew and bring in some vanilla! This is a super easy recipe that when you serve it to guests, will have them thinking you got it from a fancy coffee shop or even a local café. To make it even cooler, you can say you made it “from scratch.” To do this, add a vanilla bean to your classic cold brew recipe or add a teaspoon of vanilla extract. If you are using a vanilla bean, split it and scrape the insides of the bean into the jar and add the rest of the bean to the jar for a little extra infusion. Place the mixture in the refrigerator for 12–24 hours and let it brew. When you’re finished, you will have a brew that has a sweet and aromatic aroma. It is an excellent brew to have in the summer when it is hot out. It is even better when you add cream or milk. When you do this, you will be able to feel the vanilla and coffee flowing together in your mouth.
3. Citrus Zest Cold Brew
If you want an alternative option to vanilla, try something with more tartness like citrus peels, preferably lemon or orange. This can bring a nice refreshing twist to your cold brew especially if you plan to drink it on a summer day. To do this, you can start by peeling the orange or lemon, and make sure to avoid the leftover white bitter insides of the peel. Place the peel from the orange or lemon into the jar with the rest of the cold brew ingredients and store it in the refrigerator for 12–24 hours. You will notice that cold brew will take on a whole new flavor with the addition of the citrus fragrance when it is done simmering. To better enjoy the beverage, be sure to serve it with ice when finished. This drink is perfect for summer especially when you drink it with ice on hot days. When the drink is done make sure to do not forget to garnish it with more peeled orange or throw in some more citrus juice, you will want to enjoy the rest of it with a beer!
4. Chocolate Cold Brew Delight
Make your cold brew even more delicious and chocolatey! If you’re in the mood for a dessert coffee, try melting cocoa nibs in your cold brew mixture while steeping so they add a rich earthy chocolate flavor. For a sweeter and creamier coffee that tastes like dessert, stir in chocolate syrup past the strain in your classic cold brew. Impulsive chocolate cold brews are perfect for afternoon pick-me-ups. You can even add whipped cream and cocoa dust for an extra yummm. You will love this chocolatey cold brew chocolatey experience.
5. Spiced Cold Brew Coffee
To make your cold brew feel cozy in the morning, add spices! Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom pods are perfect for this. Add these spices to your coffee grounds in the steeping process. After 24 hours of refrigeration, it will be cozy scented, warm, and sweet. It will warm you up on a chilly afternoon, as a treat. It will be a perfect overcast morning and a great calm afternoon drink. It will be cozy and warm and rich and great! Add heavy cream or cinnamon on top to finish and don’t forget to mix!
6. Mint-Infused Cold Brew
Mint is an amazing herb that can be added to many drinks and foods. One of those foods is cold brew. Cold brew is great on its own, but other flavors can be added to take it to the next level. Adding mint to the drink adds an herbal sensation that can be enjoyed on a hot summer day. To mint to the drink, take a handful of fresh mint leaves and add it to the cold brew before brewing. The longer the coffee sits, the more flavor is extracted from the mint leaves. When ready to drink, add to a glass of ice and strain or serve over ice. To garnish, add a mint leaf or lime.
7. Cold Brew with Almond Milk
Another great drink that can be enjoyed in the summer is a dairy-free cold brew with almond milk. This drink is super easy to make and is great for those who are lactose intolerant. To drink, just add cold brew coffee over ice, pour in your desired amount of almond milk, and sweeten with maple syrup or agave. This drink gives a great mouth feel and is perfect for a hot day. Cold brew with almond milk is great for when you are on-the-go or just need to relax.
8. Honey Sweetened Cold Brew
Let’s explore the different flavors you can add to your cold brew coffee, starting with the addition of honey as a sweetener. This is good because honey is a completely natural sweetener, and actually helps to change the flavors of the drink, adding a floral and earthy taste. To get started, dilute a spoonful of honey with a little bit of hot water to thin it out and allow it to dissolve. After you have made you cold brew coffee, mix in the honey as desired. Make sure to serve this drink over ice, and enjoy the cool, revitalizing blend. For those who love a natural sweetener, this honey cold brew is a wonderful choice to bring a little sweetness and coffee into your day.
9. Coconut Cold Brew
Now let’s try bringing some tropical flavors into your coffee. This can be accomplished easily with the addition of either coconut milk or coconut water. To begin, boil some water, and then let your cold brew coffee sit until it is chilled and strained. Once this is done, pour the coffee over some ice and then mix in equal portions of coconut milk or coconut water, depending on whether you want a creamy texture or a much more refreshing feel. Once you have added the coconut water or coconut milk, you will have a refreshing coffee drink that, when paired with the right garnishes, like toasted coconut flakes or a pineapple wedge, will be a really tropical experience.
10. Cold Brew Lemonade
Feeling creative? Try lemonade combined with cold brew coffee! It might sound intriguing, but coffee lemonade is refreshing during the hot days where you need to cool down and get some energy back. First, make your cold brew concentrate. To make the lemonade, squeeze fresh lemons, add a little sugar, and mix (make sure it is not too sweet). Then, pour your cold brew concentrate and lemonade together (equal parts) and add ice. Get ready for a light, bright drink with just the right amount of coffee. A slice of lemon or mint makes a great garnish!
11. Oat Milk Cold Brew
A creamy and plant-based option for your cold brew is by using oat milk. It adds richness to the coffee, but still keeps the coffee’s flavor. First, fill your glass with ice and then pour your cold brew concentrate on top. Finally, add oat milk (however much you want). The smooth oat milk blends perfectly with coffee and its flavor. This drink is great for a morning coffee or even an afternoon coffee. It is delicious and full of fiber and vitamins, making it so much better! Spice it up with some vanilla extract or even cinnamon. Enjoy!
12. Cold Brew Affogato
You can make an amazing dessert with your cold brew, and it is very easy to make. A Cold Brew Affogato combines the bitter notes of coffee with the sweet flavor of ice cream. All you have to do is put some vanilla ice cream into a bowl or glass. Then pour your cold brew concentrate over it. As the coffee flows over the ice cream, it will create a beautiful layer effect and begin to melt the ice cream. The best part is that the combination of the rich and creamy vanilla and the cold brew coffee makes a thick melt that’s very satisfying. Making this treat is also a great way to impress your guests or treat yourself when it’s hot out. To make it look extra good, you can also add some shaved chocolate or a few coffee beans on top.
13. Flavored Syrup Cold Brew
Add your favorite flavored syrups to cold brew coffee for a unique and fun experience! Every brew can be different and custom made to your liking. If you find yourself loving a creamy caramel taste or warm hazelnut flavor, maybe even a festive pumpkin spice – this can all be made! Simply stir your favorite coffee syrup into the cold brew concentrate. The coffee syrup enhances the bold flavor of the coffee, giving it a perfect rich taste. Whipped cream, spices, and ice can all be used to top off the flavored cold brew to create even more flavors. Trying different combinations can customize every brew the way you like it!
14. Sparkling Cold Brew Tonic
If you are looking for something that will put a little fizz in your step and give you a coffee drink that will cool you off, then try pairing your cold brew coffee with tonic or sparkling water. The fizz not only makes it refreshing but it also adds another level of flavor to your cold brew so that it is not as bland. To make this drink, fill a glass with ice, then pour in your cold brew coffee until it is half full. Next, pour in your tonic or sparkling water but do not stir because you want to keep the rich flavor of the cold brew separated from the refreshing bubbles. This drink is also and ideal beverage for hot days because it has a sweet and bitter flavor and it is very light. For a little extra flavor, a lime or rosemary garnish would great.
15. Cold Brew Ice Cubes
One great hack for keeping your iced coffee awesome and undiluted is to use cold brew ice cubes. As your drink chills, it will keep its full flavor because the taste won’t be watered down. First, make a batch of cold brew concentrate. Pour it into an ice cube tray and then freeze. After the cubes are made, throw a few of these coffee cubes in your iced coffees. They will melt and mix into your coffee to keep the taste strong and the flavor good. This trick makes drinking coffee even better, and it is also a great opportunity to play around with versions of cold brew with flavored ice cubes made from chocolate or mint. Use these for a hot day or a hangout with friends. Cold brew ice cubes are a great and refreshing idea.
