Coffee Concentrate for Iced Coffee

This is a late addition to my July Summer Beverages round-up, but when I saw the post on the Food Network food blog Feeding Frenzy, I had to give it a shot (or two, or three…). Unfortunately their article didn’t give any specific instructions or measurements, so off I went on Google searching for anything I could find on the subject. The New York Times Magazine yielded what I was looking for.

In short, you brew the coffee in cold water over a 12 hour period, and the resulting concentrated coffee can then be used to make iced coffee or add coffee flavor in baked goods. (Mocha brownies, anyone?). Apparently this method has been used for years in the New Orleans area. There is even a gadget by Toddy Products to help make the process easier (of course there is). The company claims that cold-brewed coffee has 67% less acid, making for a much smoother taste.

I knew that I had to try making my own, however, I didn’t want to invest in a uni-tasking kitchen gadget, so I just used simple gear I already had on hand. All I needed was a glass measuring cup, medium mesh strainer, fine mesh strainer, and a mason jar. If you don’t have a fine mesh strainer, you can accomplish the same task by lining the medium strainer with a couple layers of cheese cloth. You can also do this with a French press if you have one, just make sure that the coffee grind is medium to coarse no matter which method you choose.

My first batch of concentrate is almost gone, and I have really enjoyed it. The aroma and flavor is strong and good. The recipe says that you can keep it in the frig for up to two weeks, but I think one week is optimal because the flavor seems to lose its spark after a week.

Large Batch (makes 8 cups coffee concentrate)

Equipment

nonreactive container, such as a stainless-steel stockpot
medium strainer or sieve
fine strainer or sieve (or cheese cloth lined in the medium strainer)
2 (32 ounce) mason jars with lids (for storing the concentrate)

Ingredients

1 pound dark roast coffee, medium ground
10 cups cold water

Preparation

1. Put coffee in the container. Add 2 cups water, stirring gently to wet the grounds, then add remaining 8 cups water, agitating the grounds as little as possible. Cover and let steep at room temperature for 12 hours.

2. Strain coffee concentrate through a medium sieve, then again through a fine-mesh sieve. Store concentrate in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, though I recommend using it up within a week.

Small Batch (makes 12 ounces coffee concentrate)

Equipment

nonreactive container, such as a 4-cup glass Pyrex measuring cup
medium strainer or sieve
fine strainer or sieve (or cheese cloth lined in the medium strainer)
1 (16 ounce) mason jar with lid for storing the concentrate

Ingredients

4 ounces dark roast coffee, medium ground
2-1/2 cups cold water

Preparation

1. Put coffee in the container. Add 1/2 cup water, stirring gently to wet the grounds, then add remaining 2 cups water, agitating the grounds as little as possible. Cover and let steep at room temperature for 12 hours.

2. Strain coffee concentrate through a medium sieve, then again through a fine-mesh sieve. Store concentrate in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, though I recommend using it up within a week.

The writer of the NY Times Magazine article obviously likes his coffee strong because he uses 1/4 cup coffee concentrate to make his iced coffee. I tried it that way at first and found myself adding more milk and ice. For me coffee is dessert and should be enjoyed with milk and sugar, even caramel sauce or chocolate sauce…but I digress. So I just use just a 1 ounce shot to get a nice cup of iced coffee with milk and some sweet stuff.

If you want your coffee warm, heat 3/4 to 1 cup milk, then pour into a mug and add desired amount of coffee concentrate.

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Source: adapted from New York Times Magazine - Iced Storm

Additional References

Cool Brew

Blue Bottle Coffee Company