Want to learn how to make cold brew coffee like Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond? This concise guide provides easy-to-follow steps for achieving that perfect, smooth, and refreshing cold brew at home. Forget complicated recipes; this method focuses on simplicity and delicious results.
What You'll Need:
- Coarsely Ground Coffee Beans: Using a coarse grind is crucial for cold brew. Finer grinds will lead to bitterness and over-extraction. Consider a medium-dark roast for a richer flavor.
- Filtered Water: Water quality significantly impacts taste. Use filtered water for the cleanest, purest flavor.
- Large Jar or Pitcher: Choose a container that's large enough to comfortably hold the coffee grounds and water, with plenty of room for stirring.
- Fine-Mesh Sieve or Cheesecloth: Essential for separating the coffee grounds from the brewed coffee. A coffee filter can also be used.
Step-by-Step Cold Brew Coffee Recipe (Pioneer Woman Inspired):
- Grind Your Beans: Coarsely grind your coffee beans. A burr grinder is ideal for consistent particle size.
- Combine Coffee and Water: In your large jar or pitcher, add the coarsely ground coffee beans. Slowly pour in the filtered water, ensuring all the grounds are saturated. The general ratio is typically 1:8 coffee to water (e.g., 1 cup coffee grounds to 8 cups water). You can adjust this to your preference; more coffee will yield a stronger brew.
- Steep: Cover the jar and refrigerate for 12-24 hours. This slow steeping process extracts the coffee's flavor without the bitterness associated with hot brewing methods. Stir occasionally during the steeping process to ensure even extraction.
- Filter: Once steeped, carefully pour the coffee mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth lined strainer into a separate container. This step removes all the coffee grounds, leaving you with smooth, clear cold brew concentrate. You can also use a coffee filter for this step.
- Dilute and Serve: The cold brew concentrate is incredibly strong. Dilute it with water, milk, or your favorite cream to your preferred strength. Add ice and enjoy! Experiment with different ratios to find your perfect balance.
Tips for the Perfect Cold Brew:
- Experiment with Coffee Beans: Different beans will yield different flavor profiles. Try various roasts and origins to discover your favorite.
- Storage: Store your cold brew concentrate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Flavor Variations: Add flavorings like vanilla extract, cinnamon, or even chocolate syrup to your cold brew after it's strained.
Why This Method Works:
This method replicates the essence of a high-quality cold brew, focusing on the core principles of proper steeping time and grind size. It's a simplified version of more complex recipes, making it accessible to even the most novice coffee makers. The result? A consistently smooth, less acidic, and intensely flavorful cold brew that rivals any coffee shop version. Enjoy your Pioneer Woman inspired cold brew coffee!
