Instructions

1. Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee, 4 cups of cold water, ice cubes, and any optional ingredients such as milk or cream and sugar or sweetener.
2. In a large pitcher or jar, combine the coarsely ground coffee and cold water. Stir gently to ensure all the coffee grounds are saturated with water.
3. Cover the pitcher or jar with a lid or plastic wrap to keep it airtight. This will help to prevent any unwanted flavors from entering the brew.
4. Let the coffee steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for about 12 hours. This long steeping time is crucial for extracting the rich flavors without the bitterness associated with hot brewing methods.
5. After 12 hours, prepare to strain the coffee. You can use a fine mesh strainer, a coffee filter, or a cheesecloth to separate the coffee grounds from the liquid. Place the strainer over a clean pitcher or bowl.
6. Slowly pour the brewed coffee through the strainer, allowing the liquid to pass through while trapping the coffee grounds. You may need to do this in batches if your strainer is small.
7. Once all the coffee has been strained, discard the used coffee grounds. You now have a concentrated cold brew coffee that can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
8. To serve, fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the desired amount of cold brew coffee over the ice. The ratio of cold brew to water or milk can be adjusted to taste, but a common starting point is 1 part cold brew to 1 part water or milk.
9. If you prefer your iced coffee sweetened, add sugar or your preferred sweetener to taste, stirring until fully dissolved. You can also add milk or cream for a creamier texture.
10. Enjoy your ah-mazing iced coffee, and feel free to experiment with flavors by adding syrups, flavored creamers, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon on top!