Cold brew coffee concentrate may be the best way to start the day (or anything else for that matter), but that doesn’t mean it’s just for breakfast. There’s a whole world of other things it can do. You just have to think outside the bottle, which is always one of our favorite things to do.
We’ve been collecting cool ideas for cold brew since we made our first batch. Here are 10 of our favorites:
Cappuccino Cubes. Take an ice cube tray and fill each space half way with cold brew coffee concentrate. Freeze solid then top off each cube with milk or half & half and freeze again. Voila!
Fruit Juicer. Mix 4 oz. of cold brew in a glass with 2 oz. of simple syrup, 2 oz. of orange juice, and 2 1/2 oz. of blackberry, raspberry, or blueberry juice. Add ice and a slice of orange.
Coffee Tonic. Whenever you overheat, combine a 3:1 ratio of tonic water and cold brew coffee concentrate over ice.
Coffee Syrup. Add one cup of cold brew coffee concentrate to 1 1/4 cups of sugar. Stir over medium heat unto the sugar dissolves and the mixture simmers. Keep it simmering (don’t let it boil!) for 15 minutes until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Cool to thicken and use in ice cream, drinks, and everywhere else.
Coffee Egg Cream. Give your own version of the Brooklyn classic a serious makeover by pouring about a 1/3 cup of the coffee syrup you just made into a glass. Add a half cup of milk. Stir. Top off with cold seltzer and a straw.
Meaty Marinade. Blend 1 cup of cold brew coffee concentrate with a few tablespoons of maple syrup, some garlic, rosemary, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. Marinate steak or lamb for at least three hours. Cook. Repeat.
Better Brownies. Add 4 or 5 tablespoons of cold brew coffee to your favorite brownie recipe for more than one kind of extra kick.
Latte Pop. Mix cold brew concentrate with some cream and simple syrup to taste. Freeze in popsicle molds. Chill out all summer.
Affogato. It means “drowned” in Italian, and what a way to go: Pour a shot or two of cold brew concentrate over a scoop of vanilla gelato. Add some Grand Marnier and whipped cream if you’re in the mood. (And who isn’t?)
Long Island Iced Coffee. Start your weekend by mixing 1 tablespoon each of dark rum, vodka, gin, gold tequila, and Tia Maria with 2 tablespoons of ginger beer, 2 tablespoons of lime juice and 1 tablespoon of simple syrup in a glass. Add ice and top off with cold brew coffee concentrate diluted down to regular strength and a lime wedge. Happy hour has never been happier.
