How to Make Cold Brewed Coffee Concentrate with the Ninja Blender

What is Cold Brewed Coffee?

I first learned how to make cold brewed coffee centuries ago when I was young.

I worked as a barista (and loved it!) in a popular espresso drive-through.

That particular coffeeshop was famous for their delicious frozen espresso drinks.

There were a couple “trade secrets” we used, but one thing that really contributed to the flavor was that we used cold brewed coffee to make our drinks.

We would brew the coffee much like sun tea, except without the sun.

In a nutshell, you simply soak your coffee with cold water for a long period of time.

Benefits of Cold Brewed Coffee

The coffee that results using this method has several advantages over regular brewed coffee:

• The acidity is greatly reduced – cold brewed coffee only has about 1/3 the acidity of regular coffee.  Or in other words – no more heartburn!
• The flavor is better – smoother, richer, and much more like the aroma of coffee.
• Using concentrate allows you to make your coffee by the cup, on-demand, instead of having to brew a pot.
• Cold brew coffee (Toddy) is always available for hot, iced or frozen (blended) coffee drinks.
• Two people who like differing coffee types and strengths can enjoy a coffee together without compromise.

Last week we talked about how to grind coffee using a Ninja blender.  We showed you that using the Ninja Pulse blender’s personal size cup is best for traditional drip coffee grounds – nice and finely ground.

However, using the 40oz container of either the Ninja Pulse or the Ninja 1100 will give you coffee that is ground to the perfectly coarse texture that is desirable for making cold brewed coffee.

Because cold brewed coffee is soaked for a long period of time, a coarse grind is ideal.  Most people use the coarsest grind available in their grinders, which is generally the “French Press” setting.  If you grind your coffee using the 40oz Ninja blender pitcher, it will come out just right every time.

How To Make Cold Brewed Coffee

Making cold brewed coffee using your Ninja blender is simple.

1. Measure out 10oz of coffee into the 40oz Ninja blender pitcher.
2. Pulse the blender until the coffee is well broken up and is ground coarsely
3. Pour the ground coffee into a container that will hold at least 2L or 2.5qt
4. Pour 4 cups water over the grounds, doing your best to make sure to wet them all.
5. Wait 15 minutes, then stir gently to break up the “crust” of grounds on top to ensure they are saturated (pictured).
6. Add 1 3/4 more cups of water.
7. Cover your container, and allow the mixture to soak for at least 12 hours.
8. After the time is up, strain out the coffee.  I like to line a colander with a paper towel, set it in a bowl, then pour everything in the colander.  Once it’s all in the colander, I just let it strain and drip for about 30 minutes.
9. Store the strained coffee concentrate in the refrigerator.  A canning jar will do nicely!  This recipe makes approx, 1 quart of coffee concentrate.  It will stay fresh up to 2 weeks, though mine never lasts that long.
10. Don’t forget to put the coffee grounds into the compost heap!

Making Cold Brewed Coffee in a French Press

You can definitely make cold brewed coffee in a french press.  Most people don’t prefer to use this method since you can only make a little at a time, and it has to soak for such a long time.

Having said that, it is definitely possible.  Just be sure to use a proportion of .58 cups water to each oz of coffee.

Cold Brewed Coffee Maker

There is a commercially made cold brew coffee maker that holds 12oz of coffee and 7 cups of water, made by Toddycafe.  It is quite reasonable cost-wise if you intend to make this often, click here to check pricing on the Toddy Maker.

Other than that, you can simply make your coffee concentrate in any container large enough to hold the grounds & water.

How To Prepare Cold Brewed Coffee

Your usage will vary depending on how strong you like your coffee.  A good starting point is to use 1 1/2 ounce (3 Tbs) of concentrate for every 8oz cup you want.  I personally always have a 16oz drink, and I like to use 3oz for my drink.

Just pour the coffee concentrate, then add your hot water, cream & sugar if desired, and you have your perfect cup of hot coffee.  You can also use cold water and then microwave the coffee, or pour the concentrate over ice & top with cream for a delicious iced coffee.  And of course, you can add it to your smoothies or frozen drinks for that extra little kick.

Recipes for Cold Brewed Coffee

Here are a couple of my favorite recipes. One thing of note – for frozen drinks, you usually want to use some sort of frozen latte base.  I like Frozen XPlosion brand the best.

This will give it an authentic “coffeeshop” flavor, and will help give it a nicely  consistent & creamy texture that you can’t get without it.

Mocha Mint Frappe

• 2 cups of ice
• 1 scoop frozen latte base
• 3oz coffee concentrate
• 1oz (2 Tbs) Chocolate Syrup
• 1 Tbs Creme De Menthe Coffee Syrup
• Top with Milk (~3.5 oz)

Pour the ice into the blender pitcher and top with the frozen latte base powder.  Measure the coffee concentrate & flavors into a 1-cup measure, then top off with milk.  Add the liquids to the pitcher, then blend until smooth.

Peanut Butter Cup Frappe

• 2 cups of ice
• 1 scoop frozen latte base
• 3oz coffee concentrate
• 1.5oz (3 Tbs) Chocolate Syrup
• 1oz (2 Tbs) Creamy peanut butter
• Top with Milk (~2.5oz)

Pour the ice into the blender pitcher and top with the frozen latte base powder.  Measure the coffee concentrate & chocolate syrup into a 1-cup measure, add the peanut butter, then top off with milk.  Add the liquids to the pitcher, then blend until smooth.

Dreamy Vanilla Iced Latte

• 1 cup ice
• 3oz coffee concentrate
• 2oz Sweet Vanilla Cream (recipe below)
• Top with Milk (~7oz)

Pour the ice into a 16oz cup.  Add the coffee concentrate and the Sweet Vanilla Cream, then top off with milk.

Sweet Vanilla Cream Recipe

This is an item I keep in my fridge at all times.  It’s basically just sweetened and flavored half ‘n half, and I use it as creamer for hot coffee, iced lattes, or anything where I want a sweet rich vanilla flavor.  It’s even wonderful alone in a glass of cold milk for a sweet vanilla milk.

• 16oz (1 pint) half ‘n half
• 1 Tbs Vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup sugar

Gently warm the sugar & cream together and stir until the sugar is dissolved.  Add vanilla, then chill.  Store in the refrigerator – this will keep until the expiration date on your carton of cream.

Bethany’s Holiday Coffee

• 3 oz coffee concentrate
• 1 1/3 cups very hot water
• Eggnog

Mix together the coffee concentrate & hot water.  Top it off with eggnog & stir until combined.  Sprinkle with nutmeg, if desired.  Enjoy under a nice warm blanket next to a roaring fire, if available.

Use Cold Brewed Coffee to Make Coffee-House Quality Lattes and Steamers

Stay tuned next week – I’ll be showing you how to duplicate your favorite coffeehouse latte using our cold brewed coffee and your Ninja blender, whether you use the Pulse or the 1100.

I betcha didn’t think you could use a blender for so many things!

What About You?

What’s your favorite coffee drink?  Are there any drinks you’d like a recipe for?  Just comment below and we’ll get right back atcha!

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