Vent: Tried that cold brew concentrate shortcut and it actually worked

I was so tired of spending 20 minutes every morning making my coffee before work. I saw some guy on Reddit talking about making a big batch of cold brew concentrate once a week and just diluting it each day. I thought it would taste watery or bitter but I gave it a shot last Sunday. Used about a cup of coarse ground beans with 4 cups of water in a mason jar, let it sit on the counter for 18 hours, then strained it through a paper towel. Now I just pour a little of that dark syrup over ice and add milk and it takes maybe 30 seconds. The flavor is actually smoother than my hot brew, no bitterness at all. Has anyone else tried this shortcut and found it holds up after a few days in the fridge?

3 comments

3 Comments

nathankim13d ago

That's basically the same method I use and yeah it keeps for a solid week in the fridge. The secret is to use a bit more water when you dilute it each morning (like a 1:3 ratio of concentrate to milk/water) so it doesn't get that weird sour taste after day 4 or 5.

the_brian13d ago

Huh, never thought of it that way... might have to try the milk trick.

colescott13d agoTop Commenter

Whoa hold on, you're putting the concentrate straight into milk? I thought everyone was watering it down first and then adding milk after. I do a 1:2 ratio of concentrate to water first, then add a splash of milk when I drink it. That sour taste after day 4 is usually from not letting it cool down fast enough before refrigerating. Stick the jar in an ice bath for 20 minutes before sealing it up, makes a huge difference.