While a simple glass of cold brew coffee over ice is fantastic, did you know your homemade brew is also an amazing ingredient? That’s right! Don’t just drink it; get creative in the kitchen! We’re sharing 3 super simple and tasty cold brew coffee recipes (plus a bonus dessert!) that use your cold brew (either the ready-to-drink kind or concentrate) in delicious new ways.
Recipe #1: Perfect Creamy Iced Latte
Forget spending a fortune at the coffee shop. Making a rich, creamy iced latte at home is incredibly easy, especially if you have cold brew concentrate on hand!
Best With: Cold Brew Concentrate (C) (Using ready-to-drink might taste watery when milk is added).
Ingredients
- Ice cubes
- ½ cup Cold Brew Concentrate (adjust to your preferred strength)
- ½ to 1 cup Milk of your choice (dairy, oat, almond, soy – whatever you like!)
- Optional: 1-2 teaspoons Sweetener or Flavoured Syrup (like vanilla or caramel)
Simple Steps to Prepare
- Fill a tall glass completely with ice.
- Pour in your cold brew concentrate.
- Top it off with your chosen milk.
- Add sweetener or syrup if you’re using it.
- Give it a good stir and enjoy your perfect homemade iced latte!
Recipe #2: Quick Coffee Banana Smoothie (Morning Power-Up!)
Need a quick breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up? This smoothie is creamy, caffeinated, and simple to whip up.
Use: Ready-to-Drink Cold Brew (RTD) OR Cold Brew Concentrate (C)
Energizing alternative for the morning
Ingredients
- A handful of ice cubes
- 1 Banana (using frozen banana chunks makes it extra thick and creamy!)
- Approx. 1 cup Liquid – Use either:
- 1 cup Ready-to-Drink Cold Brew, OR
- ¼ cup Concentrate + ¾ cup Milk or Water
- Optional Boosts: 1 scoop protein powder, 1 tablespoon peanut butter or almond butter, pinch of cinnamon, 1 tablespoon chia seeds.
Simple Steps to Prepare
- Add all your chosen ingredients into your blender.
- Blend on high until everything is smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, add a splash more cold brew or milk/water; if too thin, add more ice or banana.
- Pour into a glass and drink immediately!
Recipe #3: Sparkling Cold Brew Tonic (Surprisingly Refreshing!)
This might sound unusual, but trust us – it’s a sophisticated and incredibly refreshing drink, especially on a hot day! The slight bitterness of tonic water pairs beautifully with the smoothness of cold brew.
Best With: Cold Brew Concentrate (C) (for a bolder coffee flavor against the tonic).
unusual, yet delicious sparkling cold brew tonic
Ingredients
- Lots of Ice cubes
- ¼ to ½ cup Cold Brew Concentrate
- Good quality Tonic Water (chilled)
- Optional: A slice or twist of orange or lemon peel for garnish.
Simple Steps to Prepare
- Fill a tall glass (like a highball glass) generously with ice.
- Pour the cold brew concentrate over the ice.
- Slowly top the glass up with chilled tonic water – watch it fizz!
- Give it one gentle stir, if needed (optional).
- Garnish with the citrus peel, twisting it over the drink first to release oils, if desired.
Bonus! The Two-Second Coffee Dessert: Cold Brew Affogato
Need an effortless but impressive dessert? Affogato means “drowned” in Italian, and drowning ice cream in coffee is always a good idea.
Use: Cold Brew Concentrate (C)
Cold Brew Affogato: a delicious dessert packed with caffeine
Ingredients
- 1 or 2 scoops of good quality Vanilla Ice Cream (or try coffee, chocolate, or salted caramel!)
- 1-2 oz (a “shot”) of Cold Brew Concentrate
Simple Steps to Prepare
- Place the scoop(s) of ice cream in a small bowl or sturdy glass.
- Pour the cold brew concentrate directly over the ice cream.
- Grab a spoon and eat immediately!
Your Kitchen, Your Cold Brew Creations!
See how versatile your homemade cold brew can be? From creamy lattes and energizing smoothies to sparkling refreshers and instant desserts, it’s a fantastic ingredient to have on hand.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with these simple ideas or come up with your own cold brew concoctions. Have fun with it!
What delicious ways do YOU use your cold brew you make at home? Share your favorite recipes or ideas in the comments below – we’d love to hear them! Or check our post to see how you may add some flavor to your cold brew coffee.
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