Iced coffee might have been born in the humid heat of a New Orleans summer, but making cold-drip coffee concentrate from scratch is a sure way to stay happy and invigorated no matter what the weather’s like. Keep that jar of cold brew in the fridge, ready for mixing up a delicious chicory iced coffee or a coffee cocktail whenever the mood strikes. Here are two easy ways to do it, using your favorite French Market Coffee blend.
Supplies: 1 cold brew coffee filter bag, 1 half-gallon jar or pitcher with an airtight lid, 7 cups spring water, 1 (12 oz.) package of your favorite French Market Coffee blend (must be ground coffee, not whole beans).
Instructions: Fill the filter bag with the ground coffee. Place in the jar or pitcher and add the water. Cover with the lid, place in the fridge and steep for 12 hours and up to 24 hours. Remove the coffee filter bag from the pitcher or jar, squeeze the excess liquid into the jar, replace lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Supplies: 1 Toddy® Cold Brew System, 7 cups spring water, 1 (12 oz.) package of your favorite French Market Coffee blend (must be ground coffee, not whole beans).
Instructions: Insert the stopper into the outside bottom of the Toddy® brewing container. Dampen the felt disc coffee filter and insert into the top inside of brewing container. Add 1 cup of the water to the brewing container, followed by half of the coffee grounds (6 ounces). Let steep for 5 minutes. Pour in 3 more cups of the water in a circular motion to dampen the grounds. Add remaining coffee grounds and remaining 3 cups water. Tap the top of the grinds to be sure they are wet. Cover with lid.
Let steep in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours. Place brewing container over coffee decanter (or a pitcher that has a sealable lid) and remove the stopper to let the cold brew flow in. Discard coffee grounds. Cover and store coffee concentrate in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Then serve it hot, cold, on the rocks or straight up.