Description
This Homemade Vanilla Cold Brew Coffee recipe offers a rich, smooth, and refreshing way to enjoy coffee with a sweet vanilla twist. Crafted by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for over 12 hours, then enhanced with a homemade vanilla syrup and creamy sweet cream, this drink is perfect for coffee lovers seeking an indulgent yet easy-to-make caffeinated treat at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Cold Brew Coffee
- 16 ounces water
- 1/2 cup coarsely ground coffee
Vanilla Syrup
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Vanilla Sweet Cream
- 1/2 cup 2% milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons vanilla syrup (from prepared vanilla syrup)
Instructions
- Prepare Cold Brew Coffee: Combine 16 ounces of water with 1/2 cup coarsely ground coffee in a French press or large mason jar. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 12 hours to steep and extract deep coffee flavors.
- Strain Coffee: After steeping, separate the coffee from the grounds. Use the French press plunger to press down gently and pour the cold brew, or strain through a coffee filter if using a mason jar. Store the cold brew in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Make Vanilla Syrup: In a small saucepan, mix 2 cups sugar with 1 cup water. Heat over medium, stirring until sugar dissolves, then bring to a gentle boil. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Stir 1 tablespoon vanilla extract into the cooled syrup. Transfer syrup to an airtight container and refrigerate. The syrup keeps for up to 2 weeks and is the key to flavoring the sweet cream and the cold brew.
- Prepare Vanilla Sweet Cream: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup 2% milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and 2 tablespoons of the prepared vanilla syrup. Stir until well blended. Store unused cream in a sealed container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
- Assemble Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew: Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour cold brew coffee until the glass is three-quarters full, then top with the vanilla sweet cream. Stir gently to combine and enjoy immediately for a creamy, refreshing coffee experience.
Notes
- Use coarsely ground coffee for optimal cold brew extraction and less sediment.
- Adjust the amount of vanilla syrup in the sweet cream to your preferred sweetness.
- Keep the cold brew coffee refrigerated and consume within 1 week for best flavor.
- The vanilla syrup can be stored up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk and cream with almond or oat milk, and use a suitable non-dairy creamer.
