Do you also hate those times when you must choose between a cup of coffee and a cocktail? Well, now you can have both simultaneously, thanks to these hard cold brew coffee recipes!
Hard cold brew coffee is extremely popular these days, and if you have not yet climbed aboard the hard cold brew train, you might be missing out! It is not a joke or gimmick — many coffee shops worldwide are growing their hard cold brew coffee offerings as it grows in popularity.
Hard cold brew coffee takes the versatility of cold brew to a whole new level.
- What Is Hard Cold Brew Coffee?
- Cold Brew Vs. Iced Coffee
- How To Make Cold Brew
- Cold Brew Coffee Benefits
- 5 Hard Cold Brew Coffee Recipes
- Cold Brew Martini Recipe
- Cold Brew Negroni
- Rosemary Vanilla Cold Brew Coffee Cocktail Recipe
- Cloudy Amber Daiquiri Cold Brew Coffee Cocktail Recipe
- Black Stout Cocktail Recipe
What Is Hard Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew is simply a type of coffee that has been brewed with cold water instead of hot water and typically involves a long steeping process (about 12 to 18 hours or even longer). After that, the coffee grounds are strained out and chilled before being served as-is, over ice, or diluted with water.
So like hard kombucha, hard cold brew is simply cold brew coffee infused with alcohol.
Our guide on the best coffee for Toddy cold brew might be useful.
Cold Brew Vs. Iced Coffee
Cold brew and iced coffee are similar, but they are not the same. Iced coffee is made by brewing regular hot coffee and then chilling it either by putting it in the fridge or pouring it over some ice.
Since the ice dilutes the coffee as it melts, the problem with iced coffee is that it can taste a little weak. This can be fixed by making the coffee twice as strong. Unfortunately, this can also result in a twofold increase in acidity and bitterness.
Check out our explainer on is hard kombucha alcoholic.
With cold brew, you may adjust the intensity of the coffee by changing the ratio of coffee grounds to water, considering that it will be served over ice. This way, you can enjoy your cold brew without diluting it and without the bitter flavor of hot coffee.
Many cold brew aficionados claim that the drink tastes so good that they do not even need to add cream, milk, or sugar.
Check out these fun coffee drinks to make at home.
How To Make Cold Brew
Freshly ground coffee beans, room-temperature filtered water, a container (pot, pitcher, or jar) to brew in, and a way of filtering the coffee are all needed to make cold brew coffee. You can also make cold brew using a cold brew coffee maker like the Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker or even a French Press coffee maker.
You may also be interested in reading our guide on how to cold brew in a French press in 2 different ways.
The basic procedure to make cold brew coffee is to combine water and ground coffee beans in a specific ratio, with common ratios ranging from 4:1 to 10:1, depending on your taste or how the brew will be used. Steep the coffee for about 12 to 18 hours or even longer. After that, strain the coffee using a filter, chill, and serve.
You may also be interested in reading our guide on how to make cold-brew coffee at home.
- 1 qt
- Black
- BPA-Free Tritan pitcher with an airtight lid and non-slip silicone handle.
- The Fine-mesh coffee filter
Cold Brew Coffee Benefits
Less Acidic
Cold brew is less acidic than regular coffee. While some prefer the flavor that acidity brings, it can harm your teeth and stomach.
More Antioxidants
According to recent studies, green coffee beans contain high levels of antioxidants. However, since many of these antioxidants are destroyed by high temperatures, most of the health benefits of coffee are lost during roasting and hot brewing. Cold brewing does not destroy these antioxidants, which makes it a healthier option.
Sweeter Taste
Since it has a lower acidity than its hot counterpart, cold brew is naturally sweeter than hot brew.
You may also be interested in reading our guide on cold brew vs. hot brew.
Convenience
Even though cold brew takes a while to brew, after you have made a batch, it can stay inside your fridge for up to 10 days and still taste fresh.
Versatility
The best thing about cold brew is that it can be used in many recipes, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, ice cream, and even desserts, due to its consistency in flavor and body.
5 Hard Cold Brew Coffee Recipes
Cold Brew Martini Recipe
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Martini glass
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cold brew coffee
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- ice
- coffee beans to garnish
Instructions
- Make your cold brew coffee by steeping coarse coffee grounds in the fridge overnight at a 1:8 coffee-to-water ratio. You can use a pre-made cold brew to save time.
- Mix the cold brew, vodka, coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and ice in a cocktail shaker.
- Pour over a martini glass.
- Top with some whole coffee beans, and enjoy!
Cold Brew Negroni
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Jar or jug
- Tall glass
Ingredients
- coarse coffee grounds
- Campari liqueur
- 1 ounce gin
- 1 ounce vermouth
- ice
- orange peel to garnish
Instructions
- Brew the coarse coffee grounds with Campari liqueur instead of water. Use a ratio of 1:8 coffee to liqueur. Allow the mixture to steep in the fridge overnight.
- Mix an ounce of the cold brew-infused liqueur with the gin, vermouth, and ice in a cocktail shaker.
- Pour over a glass with a large ice cube.
- Garnish with an orange peel and enjoy!
Rosemary Vanilla Cold Brew Coffee Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Jug
- Pot
- Tall glass
- Cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 cup cold brew coffee
- 2 ounces Bom Bom Nilli Vanilli
- 1/4 cup almond milk or a plant-based creame
- ice
Instructions
- Prepare the cold brew coffee.
- Add all the sugar, water, and rosemary to a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Then, simmer for about a minute and a half.
- Let it cool to room temperature.
- Mix the cold brew, syrup, milk, and ice in a cocktail shaker.
- Pour over a glass with a large ice cube.
- Add Bom Bom Nilli Vanilli and enjoy!
Cloudy Amber Daiquiri Cold Brew Coffee Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Jar or jug
- Cocktail shaker
- Tall glass
Ingredients
- 3/4 ounce cold brew coffee
- 1 1/2 ounces rum
- 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
Instructions
- Make your cold brew coffee.
- Mix the cold brew, rum, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice in a cocktail shaker.
- Pour over a glass with a large ice cube and enjoy!
Black Stout Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Jar or jug
- Cocktail shaker
- Tall glass
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Irish whiskey
- 1/2 ounce burnt sugar simple syrup
- 1 1/2 ounces cold brew coffee
- Stout
Instructions
- Make your cold brew coffee.
- Mix the cold brew, whiskey, syrup, and ice in a cocktail shaker.
- Pour over a tall glass filled with ice.
- Top with stout, and enjoy!
You may also be interested in reading our guide on the best Jameson cold brew recipes.
