It’s hot out there, but you still want to drink coffee. I tried all kinds of things to make iced coffee, but there is something about the delicious flavor of cold brew.
It’s easy to make and doesn’t require any fancy equipment. The coffee is strong and flavorful, and much better than anything iced that you can get at your local coffee bar.
Plus, this decaf cold brew recipe is the perfect drink any time of the day. Here is the recipe for decaf cold brew, including all you need to know to get started with it right away!
What is decaf cold brew?
Decaf cold brew is a type of coffee that has been brewed using cold water and decaffeinated beans. This brewing process results in a coffee that is lower in acidity and bitterness.
This makes it a perfect choice for those who are looking for a smoother, less intense cup of coffee.
Additionally, because no heat is used during the brewing process, cold brew coffee generally retains more of its natural flavors and aromas than coffees that are brewed hot.
If you love to drink cold brew coffee, but feel like switching to a decaf version later in the day, then this recipe is perfect for you.
Tip: Check out this complete guide to making cold brew coffee at home. It’s the perfect start if you haven’t made cold brew coffee before!
Below, you’ll find the ingredients needed to make decaf cold brew at home, the different ways you can let the coffee steep, and how to filter the coffee after it has steeped.
Can cold brew be decaf?
Yes, cold brew can be decaf. Decaffeinated coffee beans are roasted coffee beans from which the caffeine has been removed. Thus, you can use these coffee beans to make a decaffeinated cold brew.
However, the flavor profile of cold brew decaf may not be as intense as regular cold brew coffee.
That’s why you’ll need to use a higher coffee to water ratio for this decaf cold brew recipe. More on this below:
What ingredients are needed to make decaf cold brew?
To make decaf cold brew at home, you’ll need two main components:
- Decaf coffee beans
- Cold tap water
To make sure you’ll love the taste of your batch of cold brew, it’s important to use the coffee beans you love the most.
The flavor of the coffee beans will be different when using it in cold brew instead of a hot brew.
If you have a bag of decaf coffee beans that you don’t love in your hot brew, why not give it a try in this recipe? It might turn out into a great-tasting cold brew!
You can opt to make a flavored cold brew coffee from the start by adding some cinnamon to it. It’ll make your cold brew have a delicious and slightly spiced flavor that just works.
If you’d like to try it out, you can check out the complete recipe for it here.
Do you like sweetening your cold brew coffee? I’ve listed a great list of add-ins you can try further down in the article. But first, let’s go over the best ways you can steep your cold brew:
What do I steep my cold brew in?
There are a few different ways that you can steep your cold brew. One popular method is using a French press.
To do this, simply add your coffee grounds to the French press and then add cold water. Steep for 12-24 hours, and then press the plunger down to filter out the coffee grounds.
Another common method is steeping in a mason jar or resealable jar. Just add your coffee grounds and cold water to the jar and steep for 12-24 hours. Simply strain out the coffee grounds using a strainer or coffee filter when you’re ready to drink.
Lastly, dedicated cold brew makers have built-in filters, so you don’t have to strain anything out. Instead, you can simply remove the filter once your cold brew has steeped long enough and start enjoying it right away!
Below, I’ll talk about the best way you can filter your cold brew after it’s done steeping. This technique requires a bit of time, but the crisp cold brew that it leaves is absolutely worth it.
This filtering is best used when you’re steeping your decaf cold brew in a mason jar or other resealable jar. It can also be used when you’ve made a batch in your French press.
What is the best way to filter cold brew?
The best way to filter cold brew is with a paper coffee filter. A paper coffee filter will help remove all of the sediment from the cold brew while still allowing the flavor to be extracted evenly.
Coffee filters are also inexpensive and can be easily disposed of, making them an excellent option for those who want an easy and convenient way to make cold brew.
You could also use a fine-mesh strainer, but you’ll be left with a bit of sediment, which you might not entirely enjoy.
It’s best to filter your cold brew with a rinsed filter, like a Chemex filter:
Now that you have the information about this decaf cold brew, it’s time to get into the recipe so that you can give it a try yourself:
Easy Decaf Cold Brew
Making cold brew at home is easy. With this decaf cold brew recipe, you can enjoy a cup of cold brew whenever you feel like it!
Ingredients
- 110 grams of decaf coffee beans
- 1000 ml of cold tap water
Instructions
- Start by coarsely grinding your decaf coffee beans.
- Combine ground coffee and cold tap water in your brewing vessel.
- If you're using a French press, just combine the two ingredients in the beaker.
- If you're using another type of vessel, stir until all the grounds are wet and cover it.
- Let it sit for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours. I like to let it steep for 15 hours for a well-balanced flavor.
- After 15 hours have passed, carefully pour the mixture through a coffee filter or fine mesh strainer into your storage container.
- Now your decaf cold brew is finished! You can add various add-ins to it or use it in multiple recipes!
Notes
The coffee to water ratio is slightly higher for this recipe compared to regular cold brew. You can stick with 100 grams of coffee beans for a milder version if you prefer this.
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Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1
Can you sweeten cold brew coffee?
You can sweeten cold brew coffee – and there are a few different ways to do it. The easiest way is to add some form of liquid sugar, like vanilla syrup or honey.
You can also add milk or cream to your coffee if you want it to be richer and more decadent.
And finally, you can sprinkle in some ground cinnamon or cocoa powder for an extra bit of flavor.
No matter how you choose to sweeten your cold brew coffee, it’s sure to be delicious!
You can check out this article where I go over many different ways to sweeten cold brew coffee at home. It’s the perfect article if you want to try out a few different flavors!
Tip: Did you know you can drink your cold brew hot? Read about the best ways to heat it in this article!
Conclusion
I hope you’ve found this article helpful and that you’ll give decaf cold brew a try! It’s a great way to start your day or enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up without all the caffeine.
Because decaf coffee beans don’t taste very different from regular coffee beans, this is the perfect recipe if you’re an avid cold brew drinker and also like it as an after-dinner treat.
After making a nice batch of cold brew coffee, you can check out some cold brew recipes below!
