Cold Brew Coffee: How It Started, How It’s Going (and How You Can Make It)
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❄️ Cold Brew Coffee: How It Started, How It’s Going (and How You Can Make It)
Cold brew coffee isn’t just a summer trend—it’s a smooth, low-acid, super-sippable way to enjoy your favorite beans. Whether you’re a cold brew connoisseur or a curious beginner, this guide will give you a full-flavored crash course in everything cold brew.
📜 A Quick Sip of Cold Brew History
Cold brew has deeper roots than you might think.
It’s believed to have originated in 17th-century Japan with Kyoto-style cold drip coffee, where cold water slowly dripped through ground coffee over hours. Centuries later, cold brew found new life in the U.S., rising in popularity during the 2010s thanks to its smooth flavor, longer shelf life, and Instagram-worthy pour.
✅ What Makes a Good Cold Brew?
Great cold brew starts with great beans—ideally medium to coarse ground, freshly roasted, and low in bitterness. You want beans that offer chocolatey, nutty, or fruity undertones to shine through the cold, slow brew.
Key factors:
Freshness: Use beans roasted within the last 2–4 weeks
Grind size: Coarse like raw sugar (too fine = bitterness)
Water-to-coffee ratio: Typically 1:4 or 1:5 for concentrate
Time: 12–18 hours in the fridge is ideal
🧊 Our Favorite Cold Brew Recipes
🧪 Classic Cold Brew Concentrate
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coarsely ground Coop’s Coffee Chilly Dog Cold Brew
- 4 cups cold filtered water
Instructions:
- Combine in a mason jar or cold brew pitcher
- Stir gently, then cover and refrigerate for 12–18 hours
- Strain using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth
- Dilute 1:1 with water, milk, or your favorite non-dairy option
🍯 Vanilla Maple Cold Brew
Ingredients:
- ½ cup cold brew concentrate
- ½ cup oat milk
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- Splash of vanilla extract
Instructions: Shake it all together, pour over ice, and enjoy a cozy cold treat.
🥥 Coconut Mocha Cold Brew
Ingredients:
- ½ cup cold brew
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 tbsp chocolate syrup
- Dash of cinnamon
Instructions: Blend for a creamy, summer-ready dessert drink.
🛠️ Cold Brew Gear We Love
To make great cold brew at home, you don’t need fancy equipment—just the right tools:
- Cold Brew Maker: Takeya Brand
- Coarse Grinder: Hamilton Beach Custom Grind Coffee Grinder
- Glass Storage Bottles: For easy pouring and fridge-friendly storage
- Fine Mesh Strainer or Cold Brew Bags: Clean brews, no sludge
☀️ Final Sip
Cold brew is easy to love, easy to make, and perfect for warm days or ween walks. Whether you're fueling your morning, powering through the afternoon, or just looking for a smoother sip, cold brew’s got your back.
🛒 Order some Chilly Dog Cold Brew coffee beans today!
And remember: Drink Coffee! Protect the Weens!
