(Seriously) Easy Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

I've always had a complicated relationship with coffee. I go through bits where my body can handle it and I soak up the caffeine and feel pleasantly a-jitter. Then there's other times where I accidentally consume 3+ cups in one day and if I don't repeat that same amount the following day I get crazy withdrawal headaches and feel miserable. When that happens, I must reset my system, cutting out coffee (not caffeine entirely - I switch to the maté I should have been drinking all along) for at least 2 weeks and feel much better. In March, I cut out coffee completely. I would be lying if I said that my entire life did not vastly improve: I slept better, I thought clearer, and I felt more in control of myself. Unfortunately, right now I'm struggling to get a full night's sleep, running on whatever I can to get me through these final days of school and subbing before summer, and coffee is once again my crutch, my OTP, my savior.

And don't get me wrong - I love coffee. There is something romantic about pouring heavy cream into a hot cup of coffee, sipping it slowly as the sun rises and reading a good book. There is something romantic even about a bad cup of coffee. There is something romantic about catching up with a friend in a coffee shop. (Side note: I recently read and listened to this badass old podcast on NPR featuring Steven Johnson about how coffee houses can be held accountable for major advancements of the past 3 centuries.)

My boyfriend and I discovered the Califia brand cold brew coffee last year. That lead us both down an artisanal, overpriced rabbit hole of cold brew coffees. We've tried them all, even the Stumptown on nitro at Whole Foods. And we loved them all, very deeply. But they are fucking expensive, as I'm sure you all know. Like, Starbucks expensive. And packaged in plastic bottles, which I refuse to purchase.

Our solution: homemade cold brew coffee.

It's almost embarrassing to post this "recipe" on here because it's not really a recipe so much as it's a guideline. And it's so easy you're going to want to slap me silly for even having the audacity to devote a whole post to this. But, as promised, here it is.

Homemade Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

1. Step One: Get a glass, air-tight container. I was so blessed to find these amazing glass Stagioni milk bottles at the Container Store. They were so cheap - like, $3.99 - and I have definitely got my money's worth.
2. Step Two: Fill your glass jar about 1/3 full of freshly ground coffee of your choice (today, it was organic hazelnut from Sprouts).
3. Step Three: Fill the glass jar with cold, filtered water (straight from your Brita) until there is about 2 inches of space left at the top.
4. Step Four: Shake the heck out of your jar until all the coffee is mixed around with the water.
5. Step Five: Fill in the remaining two inches of air space with filtered water.
6. Step Six: Place in refrigerator for at least 12 hours (can leave in the fridge for up to 48 hours).
7. Step Seven: When you're ready for your first amazing cup of homemade cold brew coffee, strain the coffee grounds (using a French press or strainer - I don't have a French press, and my fine mesh strainer does the job).
8. Step Eight: Dilute your coffee concentrate (and yes - it will be CONCENTRATED) with hot water (for, um, hot coffee) or cold water with ice (for the cold kind of coffee). Add milk or cream or coconut milk or almond milk or drink that shit black - the world is your cup of cold brew coffee - enjoy it however you please.

Namaste!