Everyone loves a good iced coffee on a hot day. But sometimes its too much hassle to go out – and sometimes it’s too expensive! But that doesn’t mean that coffee cravings have to go unsatiated. We’re sharing the 10 best hacks for having a perfect cold brew without ever leaving home, including top iced coffee makers, super-caffeinated cans and gourmet beans.
the secrets to the perfect cup of iced coffee at home
Now that temperatures have begun to creep into the 80’s (at least here in New York), it’s time to make our annual switch to cold coffee. And though it’s a little bittersweet, bidding farewell to our warm morning mug, we are comforted by the fact that our at-home cold brew has never tasted better.
The best hacks to have a perfect cold brew without ever leaving home, including iced coffee makers, canned brands and gourmet beans.
After all, making cold brew at home is simpler and faster than you may think – and with the right equipment, it tastes just as good as the cup you’re getting at the coffee shop. There are many different ways to prepare that perfect ice-cold glass. We’re sharing the best hacks to have a perfect cold brew without ever leaving home, including iced coffee makers, canned brands and gourmet beans.
10 best ways to have a perfect cold brew iced coffee at home
1. Grady’s Bean Bags
If you want to keep things simple – super simple – you can’t do better than bean bags from Grady’s. These make the process easy. All you need to do is steep the bag in cold water overnight, and you will wake up to the perfect serving of cold brew. You can use any container, and you don’t even need a filter.
Best of all, the coffee lasts for two weeks in the fridge, so you can brew ahead of time, and have your coffee waiting for you every day. Grady’s cold brew is some of the best around – we’ll never get enough of those chicory notes – and we can’t think of a better way to wake up in the morning. Since each bean bag bundle makes twelve servings, we recommend starting with Grady’s case of six bundles – enough to keep you caffeinated for quite some time.
BUY NOW – $69.95.
2. Cold Brew Carafe
If you’re looking for the perfect vessel for your cold brew, you can’t do better than this carafe from OXO. At 24 ounces, this container will fit easily in the fridge or on a countertop, and will make the perfect home for your season’s first batch of cold brew. You can pair with the cold brew coffeemaker ($27.49) and filters ($5.99), so that you have the full setup, or use this carafe with your new bean bags from Grady’s.
BUY NOW – $22.00.
3. Cold Brew Coffee Maker
If you’re ready to get serious about your cold brew, it may be time to invest in Kitchen Aid’s own cold brew coffee maker. When it comes to culinary devices, there are few names we trust more than Kitchen Aid, and their cold brew coffee maker certainly does the job. The machine is easy to use, makes 28 ounces of cold brew concentrate, and can easily fit in a refrigerator. If you’re ready to take the plunge on at-home cold brew, this is a foolproof choice.
BUY NOW – $94.95.
4. Yama Cold Drip Maker
This amazing machine looks like something you’d find in a scientist’s lab – and it produces some incredible cold brew. The cold drip method reduces the coffee’s acidity by up to 69%, and helps it to retain all of its natural antioxidants. And since each part of the machine is made with handblown glass, they are all heat-resistant, and safe to put in the dishwasher or microwave. All you need is ice, water, and ground coffee – any roast is fine – and you’re on your way to the perfect cup.
BUY NOW – $270.00.
5. Vinci Express Cold Brew
This might be our favorite cold brew machine on the list. First of all, its special technology achieves the impossible: it can be ready in five minutes, instead of the typical twenty-four hours. It’s also highly customizable, allowing you to select different brew strengths, and use the beans of your choice. We love this guy’s small size and quick brew-time, and we think you might want to give it a try.
BUY NOW – $79.99.
6. Nitro Coffee Maker System
Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about nitro. After all, there’s nothing quite like nitro – which is cold brew coffee that’s infused with nitrogen, making it smooth and foamy, like an ice-cold beer – and yes: it is possible to make it at home. All you need is this magical machine, and a set of nitrogen cartridges, and you’ll be good to go – the maker is compact, safe, and easy to use. This is the original at-home nitro system, and you really can’t do better.
BUY NOW – $189.99.
7. Cold Brew Reserve
Of course, now that you have the perfect cold brew maker, you’re going to need some beans to use. And we love this bag of cold brew reserve from Stone Street, which is one of our favorite coffee shops in New York. The blend features gourmet “supremo” beans from Colombia, and it carries glorious notes of chocolate. The dark roast works with any cold brew system, and you can order it specially ground for the process.
BUY NOW – $17.25.
8. Happy Beans Cold Cup
Now that you’ve switched to cold coffee, you’re going to need some way to drink it. And though any mason jar will do, we wanted something to soothe the blow of saying goodbye to our favorite mug (at least for the next few months).
Thankfully, La Colombe has made the perfect cup. It’s stainless steel, double walled, and comes with a straw, and it’s even covered with the world’s happiest smiley faces. We’ve found your best friend for the season.
BUY NOW – $28.00.
9. Verve Flash Brew Nitro
Maybe you’ve read all this, and you’re thinking, sounds great, but I don’t want to go to the trouble of preparing any of this myself. In that case, it’s time to order some cans of cold brew from Verve. We love Verve’s coffee, and we love that we can enjoy their Flash Brew Nitro Coffee any time we want. Delight in the notes of strawberry, honey, and fudge, and in the fact that waking up has never been easier to do.
BUY NOW – $15.00.
10. Death Wish Coffee
And for those super sleepy mornings, you should keep some cans of Death Wish Coffee Cold Brew on hand. Though we warn you: this is not for the faint of heart. Death Wish is famous for producing the world’s strongest coffee, and it’s as delicious as it is caffeinated. Though it may not be what we want to drink every day of the week, we love keeping it around as a secret weapon. The next time you need a little kick – or a big kick – give this a try. There’s nothing else like it.
BUY NOW – $46.00.
hacks for getting the best cold brew at home
Those are our tips on the best hacks to have a perfect cold brew without ever leaving home, including iced coffee makers, canned brands and gourmet beans.
