I have always preferred iced coffee over hot, so it quickly became a staple when cold brew coffee hit specialty coffee shops in the early 2010s.
But what’s the difference between cold brew and iced coffee, though?
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How Cold Brew is Made
Cold brew is brewed with cold water over a long period, about 12 – 24 hours. However, ice coffee is brewed with hot water (like hot coffee) and then cooled down. Experts say cold brew is more concentrated, less acidic, and naturally sweeter than regular iced coffee.
You can buy pre-made cold brew at the grocery store for about $5 a bottle or a cup from your local coffee shop for a pretty penny, which gets pretty expensive. So, to save money on my coffee habit, I started to cold brew at home. When I first started, it was pretty messy. I used big mixing bowls to steep the coffee and strain the cold mixture into another container after 12-24 hours. So, I started to use a cold brew maker. Over the years, I have grown quite a collection of cold brew makers, and I am sharing them with you today. Happy cold brewing!
Cold Brew Makers
French Press
The first product I bought to make cold brew was a French press. Now I know people used French presses for hot coffee and other drinks, but I bought my first French press with the intention of cold brewing. It’s a relatively inexpensive way to begin cold brewing; I got my French press at Starbucks with a gift card; I remember it was about $20. Not only can you use a French press for other beverages (a couple years ago, it was trendy to make cocktails in a French press), it’s effortless. Put the coffee grounds in the French press, and pour water on top; after 12-24 hours, filter the grounds with the press, and you’ll have some cold brew ready to dilute and drink.
You can buy a French Press on Amazon here.
Ovalware Cold Brew Maker
I am a big fan of this type of cold brew maker. It’s affordable, relatively mess-free, and a great cup of cold brew. Pour the coarsely grounded coffee into the center filter, fill the pitcher with water, and let it brew in the fridge for about 12-24 hours. There are many versions of this cold brew pitcher, but I love this one by Ovalware. The pitcher is made of glass and has a rubber cushion base. The Amazon listing says it can keep cold brew fresh for up to two weeks, but I drink it too fast to try. Like the French press, you’ll want to dilute the cold brew before drinking.
You can buy the Ovalware Cold Brew Maker on Amazon here.
Soul Hand Cold Brew Dripper
The Soul Hand Cold Brew Dripper is relatively new to me. A friend gave it to me for Christmas, and I was excited to try it out. At first glance, this cold brew maker looks cool and fancy. Instead of sitting in water and brewing in the fridge, this maker uses a slow drip system to brew coffee and sits on your counter for 3-4 hours. I’ll be honest it’s not the most practical way to make cold brew, but it looks fantastic and is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. When the cold brew is done dripping into the pitcher, you simply take the water container off and store the pitcher in the fridge. According to Soul Hand, the cold brew should stay fresh for 3-5 days.
You can buy the Soul Hand Cold Brew Dripper on Amazon here.
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