Cold Brew Iced Coffee with Sweet Vanilla Cream
I have been making cold brew at home for a few years now and I genuinely cannot believe I ever paid coffee shop prices for it. Homemade cold brew is so much cheaper, smoother, and honestly better because you control everything. And this sweet vanilla cream on top? It is basically the homemade version of that famous coffee chain drink and it takes about 90 seconds to make.
The cold brew itself just needs 12 hours in the fridge. I start it the night before and wake up to coffee that is already done and waiting. The vanilla cream is just heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla whisked together until slightly thickened. Pour it slowly over the back of a spoon and it cascades through the coffee in the most satisfying way.
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What You Need to Make Cold Brew at Home
You do not need anything fancy. A large jar or pitcher, a fine mesh strainer, and a coffee filter is all it takes. That said, if you make cold brew regularly a dedicated cold brew maker makes the whole process much cleaner and easier. I have one and use it constantly. Also grab a good burr grinder if you want to grind your own beans, the coarser the grind the better for cold brew.
Use a medium or dark roast coffee for the best flavor. Light roasts can taste a little sour in cold brew. My personal favorites are anything labeled smooth, chocolatey, or low acid.
Tips for Perfect Cold Brew Every Time
Coarse grind is key. Fine ground coffee will make your cold brew bitter and muddy and hard to strain. If you are buying pre-ground, look for something labeled coarse grind or French press grind.
The sweet vanilla cream should be pourable but slightly thickened. You are not making whipped cream here. Just 30 seconds of whisking or a few shakes in a jar. If it gets too thick it will sit on top in a clump instead of gently cascading through the coffee.
Make a big batch of cold brew concentrate on the weekend and you have coffee sorted for the whole week. It keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Morning you will be very grateful.
Cold Brew Iced Coffee with Sweet Vanilla Cream
Ingredients
Method
- Combine coarsely ground coffee and cold water in a large jar or pitcher. Stir gently, cover, and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
- Strain the cold brew through a fine mesh strainer lined with a coffee filter or cheesecloth into a clean container. This removes all the grounds. Store in the fridge.
- Whisk heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla together in a small bowl or shake in a jar until slightly thickened but still pourable. You want it just a little thicker than cream but not whipped.
- Fill glasses with ice. Pour cold brew over ice, diluting with milk if desired. Slowly pour sweet vanilla cream over the back of a spoon so it floats on top. Stir gently before drinking.
Notes
Tools for This Recipe
- Cuisinart Stainless Mesh Strainers, Set of 3: Fine mesh strainers in three sizes, so you can strain the grounds out of a big batch without a special cold brew maker.
- 64 oz Mason Jar Pitcher with Lid: A two quart glass pitcher with a lid is a great size for steeping a batch and keeping it in the fridge all week.
Tell me in the comments if you make this! And tell me what coffee you used because I am always looking for new favorites to try.
xo, Pam
