Ashwin Rajagopalan | Updated: May 22, 2019 17:24 IST
It's summer time - it is that time of the year when you're most likely to reach out for those cold fizzy soft drinks, totally disregarding the advice of your dietitian. Of course, you can blame it on the heat. Over the last couple of summers, there's a new fix to beat the summer heat that's on the rise across the world - the Cold brew. Cold brew coffees are no longer a niche phenomenon; they have begun making their appearance on the menus of major coffee chains like Starbucks. A cold brew combines the refreshing properties of a cold drink along with the coffee kick; just the invigoration you need minus some of the calories, and no, it's not a complex process to fix at home.
I spent a couple hours on a hot summer afternoon in Chennai at the Lavazza Corporate office along with one of their coffee experts - Abdul, trying my hands at a cold brew. The key difference between the regular hot brew and a cold brew is the brewing time and technique. The hot cup of filter coffee depends on quick extraction resulting in a more acidic cup, whereas the cold brew is brewed at room temperature or lower over a longer period - 12 to 24 hours. This concentrate is good for consumption for almost a fortnight and also boasts of deeper flavours. While the hot brew depends on heat to extract the essential flavours of the coffee and its sugars, oils and caffeine, the cold brew is all about time.
(Also Read: Here's How You Can Make Cafe-Style Cold Brew Coffee At Home)
Cold brew coffees are no longer a niche phenomenon; you can now see them on the menus of major coffee chains.
Fix a cold brew at home: it's ridiculously simple! Take a cup of coarsely ground cup of coffee and stir into five cups of water (1: 5 ratios) in a tall glass jar/container. Make sure this container is sealed and leave it in the fridge or a cool dry place (a fridge is a safer bet, especially in summer) for about 12 to 24 hours. Strain the coffee (you can use a muslin cloth or a mesh strainer - repeat, if required) into a jar or vessel and store it in the fridge. You can enjoy a cold glass - serve it over ice or milk, when you need a caffeine kick or a refreshing beverage or also choose to blend this into a variety of cocktails or non-alcoholic beverages.
I'd recommend this if you are a true coffee fan and don't mind the slightly dark, almost one-dimensional coffee flavour of this refreshing cocktail
(Also Read: How to Make Cold Coffee: The Ultimate Recipe)
The All-Dark Cold Brew Cocktail
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Orange with coffee? It's not as outrageous as it seems. This refreshing cocktail combines the refreshing tang of orange with coffee.
(Also Read: 8 Best Coffee Recipes)
Citrus Coffee Twist
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Shake these contents in a cocktail shaker along with ice.
A refreshing option for a hot summer's day with the spicy finish of ginger.
(Also Read: Ketogenic Coffee Benefits: 4 Reasons To Consume This Healthy Morning Drink)
Lemon Ginger Cold Brew
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Recipe Courtesy - Lavazza
(Also Read: Know Your Coffee: Cappuccino, Latte and 15 Different Kinds)
Cherry Cold Brew
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Recipe Courtesy - Lavazza
Vodka Coffee Tail
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About Ashwin RajagopalanI am the proverbial slashie - a content architect, writer, speaker and cultural intelligence coach. School lunch boxes are usually the beginning of our culinary discoveries.That curiosity hasn’t waned. It’s only got stronger as I’ve explored culinary cultures, street food and fine dining restaurants across the world. I’ve discovered cultures and destinations through culinary motifs. I am equally passionate about writing on consumer tech and travel.