I take a really high dose of a heart med that at even 1/4 of what I take, makes people feel really really fatigued and lethargic. And I have two toddlers. Thank GOD no one has ever told me to cut out caffeine, because I need it to live and care for two toddlers. I usually have a cup of hot coffee in the morning and a big ass iced coffee in the late afternoon to help me survive til bedtime. This summer, I have picked up a new coffee habit that has changed my life, no lie.
I started cold brewing coffee.
I realize this sounds like fancy hipster crap, and you’re already thinking I’m about to bombard you with some new, difficult, pretentious coffee thing. But this is like, the lazy passive way to get delicious coffee-shop-esque iced lattes. You literally do it in your sleep.
What you need:
- a French Press, ideally, but otherwise, a large jar or pitcher would work
- If you don’t have a French Press, you’re going to need a fine mesh strainer
- Coarse ground coffee, but if you don’t have a grinder, you can use ground coffee, just make sure you REALLY have a fine mesh strainer
- cold water
- time
Method: in your press or jar, put half a cup of ground coffee, and then fill with cold water. (If your press is a different size than mine, your ratio might differ– mine holds about 32 oz. of liquid.) Stir. Leave on your counter overnight. In the morning press it and pour it into a jar, through a strainer if necessary to catch any grounds. Keep the jar of fresh cold-brewed coffee concentrate in your fridge.
The resulting brew is going to be super concentrated. I like to dilute it 50/50 with either almond or coconut milk, over ice. If you use vanilla almond milk, you will want to kiss yourself. A note: because you’re likely going to want to mix this with some sort of milk-substance, it’s not super crucial to have super high quality beans, since you’ll not be noticing many subtle nuances of flavor. HOWEVER, I would like to plug our favorite coffee source, Leiva’s Coffee, which is a Little Rock company selling delicious Guatemalan coffee and committed to reinvesting in the community where the beans are grown. Hot or cold, I promise you’ll like their coffee. And they’re not paying me to say that, I’m just a fan. They will even ship it right to your door– that’s how we get our 2 lbs. a month.
Bam. Coffee shop worthy iced coffee, at home. It just might change your life.
erniebufflo's south & west kitchen 
I do have a French Press. But I am often forced to drink my coffee cold from pure desperation. From my cold dead hands. That’s how anyone will be taking coffee from me. :-) Thanks for this. Onward.
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Cold brewed coffee is awesome. I only have one toddler and I definitely need my daily dose of caffeine! Did you find that it took some time to get used to flavor of the almond milk? I’ve tried and tried, but can’t seem to let go of my half and half addiction.
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I am still so intimidated by the thought of getting a French press. I have a keurig, and would like at some point to get a French press for cold coffee and to drink the “better” coffee I always see and want at the store, but I’m intimidated by it. Worth it to grow up and get over it?
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I work at Starbucks, and that thought didn’t even occur to me until my manager told me a few weeks ago!! Mind *boom*
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Sounds like a great substitute to spending $3-4 for a cup of iced coffee at the local coffee shop. Thanks for the idea!
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I have chronic Afib and caffeine is the sole cause of it so i am VERY limited to caffeine and believe me my heart flutters sure let me know when it is time to stop. I use 95% decaf and would never risk ant more as twice i have been given the paddles as every med didn’t work. I am shocked you drink so much caffeine and sure would be asking your cardiologist. Caffeeine stimulates the heart and so dangerous.
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Well, I have a congenital defect, not a rhythm problem, so for me, they aren’t concerned about the caffeine. I don’t experience flutters or anything from coffee. In fact, it’s kind of hard to get my heart going even when nervous or exercising. Guess that’s thanks to my giant dose of a beta blocker.
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Even the smallest things that make you feel happy can help change your life. My son is working part-time for a caterer and has learned to make the best iced coffee I ever tasted. Pure joy!
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