Cold Brew Coffee is preferred by me over hot coffee.

Considering that we have several coffee aficionados amongst us, the subject of Cold Brew, including the methods and devices used in its preparation, presents an area of interest. I am hopeful that the collective expertise here will provide valuable insights.

I have experimented with several home brew devices, finding that they make satisfactory cold brew. However, the volume produced by these devices often falls short of my daily consumption needs. Typically, overnight units produce 12-16 ounces at a time, which poses a challenge due to the extensive lead time required for brewing.

In exploring alternatives, I have discovered several quick Cold Brew devices capable of delivering ready-to-drink coffee in minutes rather than overnight. For example, Mr. Coffee offers a 13-ounce rechargeable unit, though reviews indicate it is loud. k

Amazon provides numerous options as well, with one particularly intriguing unit from Dash that boasts a 40-ounce capacity, surpassing most other offerings.

Prepackaged Cold Brew at Publix generally costs $6 each, although I try to purchase them during BOGO offers to double up, consuming approximately four per week. Home Cold Brew devices require a substantial amount of ground coffee, which does not appear to offer any cost advantage.

To the members of SF who drink Cold Brew, do you prepare it yourself? If so, what methods or devices do you prefer?

Have a friend that really likes the Grady's New Orleans Style Cold Brew Kit, kind of pricy and somewhat messy, but Good Cold Brew.

I buy whatever Pre-made Cold Brew is on sale. We add Coconut Almondmilk to it, so I can't taste the difference.

Costco has started to carry Stok Cold Brew. 2 - 48 oz. bottles for $8.69. Tastes the same to me.

I piddled around with several cold brew makers and was never satisifed, either with the taste or the time spent piddling with them.

I never buy anything from Starbucks at their drive-thrus, but Publix has Starbucks Dark Roast Unsweetened, which I like, at $5.99 or $6.99 per bottle (depending on which Publix I go to-on the Beach or near it seems to add a bit to the cost of everything) and I buy a bunch at a time. Sometimes I'm fortunate to catch it on BOGO, but I like my Cold Brew and I'm gonna do my best to get it even if it's over-priced IMO.

La Columbe (in the red or blue bottle) is also good and I get that if my Publix is short of the Starbucks. The price is often a buck less than Starbuck's or it's on BOGO. But Starbuck's is my favorite and first choice.

None of the cold brew makers I have tried matches either of these brands for taste IMO.

Bob

This message has been edited. Last edited by: straightshooter1,

My wife is a cold brew person too and has tried various gadgets over the years with disappointing results and just buys this stuff now:

I rarely drink cold brew, but my girlfriend likes it, so I have this Takeya: https://takeyausa.com/products...ld-brew-coffee-maker

Seems to work fine. Pretty simple too: Grind some beans and fill the central filter. Fill the jug with water. Put in fridge overnight.

We have the same one and it works great. note, the 2 qt won't fit in the dishwasher.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
I rarely drink cold brew, but my girlfriend likes it, so I have this Takeya: https://takeyausa.com/products...ld-brew-coffee-maker

Seems to work fine. Pretty simple too: Grind some beans and fill the central filter. Fill the jug with water. Put in fridge overnight.

We use this with a half gallon wide mouth mason jar. It comes down to the right grind and quality beans.

Filter

We are spoiled living in the PNW. Makes it hard when I travel for work. Most places that sell “cold brew” are not good.

How about a typical coffee press with coarse-ground beans, in the fridge overnight? About 1/2 cup of beans?

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:
How about a typical coffee press with coarse-ground beans, in the fridge overnight? About 1/2 cup of beans?

I like this with our French press. Just not enough volume. I probably should drink less, lol.

I enjoy a good cold-brew from my local (and locally owned) coffee shop. And I've liked some store bought stuff my wife bought a while back.

But I've also had equally satisfactory results by brewing a pot of coffee (yes, hot) and putting it in the fridge. Once cold, it's great! No expensive kits needed.

We've got one of these: Keurig K-Brew+Chill

This thing is pure witch craft. It makes pretty good cold brew right out of the K-Cups. Doesn't even melt the ice in the cup.

quote:

Originally posted by redwood25:
But I've also had equally satisfactory results by brewing a pot of coffee (yes, hot) and putting it in the fridge. Once cold, it's great! No expensive kits needed.

That's how I drink my coffee at home. I'll brew a pot and pour it in a pitcher in the fridge.

I drink it black and can't really tell any difference from a proper cold brew.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
I rarely drink cold brew, but my girlfriend likes it, so I have this Takeya: https://takeyausa.com/products...ld-brew-coffee-maker

Well I be darned, checked and I have that one, probably recommended to me on SF in the passt, Thing is it's just too small for the amount I want to drink, maybe the 2qt would do it or a second one.

I too buy the SB or Columbian, jmo the Stock Green is about perfect, the Bizzy brand is way to strong for my tastes.

Should have put a link in the OP for the Dash Rapid Brew...

Thinking this would eliminate the need to make it overnight..

Link Dash

The little missus likes a coffee drink in the morning and the lower acidity of cold brewed coffee agrees with her. I have a diffuser similar to what brother Rogue uses. I grind the beans and let them diffuse for the 5 or so days the last batch lasted and start the process over. She is partial to hazelnut vanilla from Sam’s club.

The key is several days to steep in the fridge to extract as much from the ground bean as possible. It does require you to use more coffee than when hot brewing traditionally.