Do This The Next Time You Make Cold Brew Coffee

Americans like their coffee. Per the National Coffee Association, 62 percent of us drank coffee yesterday and 75 percent this past year. Whether we need it to get started in the morning or to make it through late night meetings or kids' extracurricular activities, we aren't afraid to turn to this caffeinated beverage to give us the extra energy we need. But hot latte or drip is not the only way to get your fix. In fact, cold brew has become the darling of the coffee world. 

According to the Perfect Daily Grind, cold brew coffee is quite popular with millennials. This cold coffee is made by steeping coffee grounds in room temperature water for up to 24 hours. It is then served over ice and enhanced with a little water or milk. Cold brew coffee should not be confused for iced coffee which is made using hot espresso, tastes a little more bitter, and is not quite as smooth as cold brew coffee. If you haven't jumped on the cold brew bandwagon yet, you might want to, or at the very least, try it so you can say that you did. Cold brew coffee is actually quite easy to make in the comfort of your home, but there are few things you should do when you make it.

According to Essense, you want to start with quality coffee. It doesn't have to break the bank, but it should be something your taste buds enjoy. There are a lot of thoughts on the perfect water to coffee ratio you should use, but Java Presse concurs with Essense that the "golden ratios" are: 1:15 to 1:18 coffee to water. This translates to one gram of coffee for every 15 to 18 grams of water. Less water means your coffee will be more concentrated, and, of course more water, and your coffee will not be as strong. To find your "sweet spot" when it comes to the ratio, you may have to do a little experimentation, and if you find that it is too concentrated, you can always dilute it with some cold water.

Equally as important as the water to coffee ratio is using the right grind. Cold brew coffee requires a coarse grind whether you purchase it already ground or grind it at home. When you're ready to brew, simply place your measured coffee grounds in a container, pour your room temperature water over the grounds, be patient and let it steep in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you are ready, you will want to filter out the grounds before you drink. Per Water Street Coffee, this is where your coffee filters come in handy. Then, store it in the fridge and you'll have a smooth, chilled cup of joe for up to seven days.