You Can Make Cold Brew Coffee Yourself. Here’s How.

Cold brew coffee has been a hot trend these past few years among avid coffee drinkers. Even coffee chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts have incorporated cold brew beverages into their product mix. As a coffee addict myself, I can admit to having burned a hole in my pocket just to experience this holy grail of coffee. Admitting you have a problem is the first step toward recovery, right? Well, consider me healed, because I’ve become a pro at brewing my own delicious cold brew. My bank account thanks me, and shortly you probably will too.

For those who don’t know, let me clarify what cold brew is and what makes it so great. Despite its name, cold brew is NOT the same as iced coffee. Cold brew simply refers to the temperature at which the coffee is brewed, not the temperature at which it is actually served. Meaning, cold brew can be enjoyed as a delicious hot cup of coffee too. Cold brew is made from ground coffee beans that have been steeped in cold water for 12-24 hours, eliminating the use of high temperatures normally needed to brew coffee. The cold brew process replaces heat with time. This results in a flavorful, strong and less acidic concentrate that becomes the foundation of a perfectly crafted cup of coffee. Here’s the best part: the concentrate can stay fresh in the fridge for up to two weeks, thus eliminating the hassle of having to brew a pot of coffee every morning. Pretty cool, right?

So, without further ado, I present to you: The Toddy Cold Brew System. The Toddy Cold Brew System, or “Toddy” for short, is a non-electrical coffee maker that uses a cold water filtration process to extract the rich flavor of the coffee beans into a smooth yet strong concentrate over a 12-24 hour period of time. For just $45, you can purchase the Toddy Cold Brew System on Amazon. It comes with a set of instructions, a recipe guide, one brewing container with handle (BPA-free), one glass decanter with lid, two reusable felt filters, one stopper and three paper filters.

Toddy Cold Brew Coffee Maker System with Extra Filters and Rubber Stoppers Bundle — $49.99

Now, I’ve been using my Toddy for about six months now and I really do love it (and all the money it’s saving me), but I’m still going to give it to you straight. The preparation process might take a time or two to perfect, but it gets much easier the more you do it. Not to mention, the clean-up is quick which is always a plus. The brewing container itself is made out of plastic and can be damaged if not handled properly. Mine started to leak after about two months of having it and I had to order another one, which I’ve had no problems with. Although the initial price might seem a bit steep, it has definitely paid off in my experience and is a great product for all my fellow coffee lovers.