This Coffee Will Change Your Life

Confession: I'm not a coffee drinker. I like a mocha frap on a hot afternoon, but I'm not making a b-line for the Keurig first thing in the morning. I prefer my caffeine in a carbonated form. That said, this coffee is hands down amazing. I may never go to Starbucks again.

Cold Pressed Coffee Concentrate
Source: The Pioneer Woman

1lb Ground Coffee (go for the good stuff, flavored is great, too)
8 Quarts Cold Water

You'll also need some equipment:

2 large containers
1 fine mesh colander
Cheesecloth or good quality paper towels
A large pitcher or some other device to dispense your coffee

In one large container, combine coffee and cold water. Stir gently so that all of the grounds are wet and set aside for 8 hours. Line your colander with cheesecloth or good paper towels and strain the coffee into your second large container. This will take a little bit of time, be patient. Now transfer the coffee to a pitcher and stick it in the fridge for at least two hours.

Once your coffee concentrate has chilled, you'll have to decide how to savor every single precious drop. Here are some ideas:

Iced Coffee:  Fill your glass with: 1/3 coffee concentrate, 1/3 water, 1/3 ice and up to 2T sweetener (sugar, artificial sweetener, honey, etc)

Vietnamese Iced Coffee: Stir 2T homemade sweetened condensed milk into 1/4c hot water (this step is only necessary if it has been refrigerated and is firm). Pour it into your glass and add 1/3 coffee concentrate, 1/3  milk (Thrive Instant Milk, almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, etc) and 1/3 ice.

Iced Latte:  Fill your glass with: 1/3 coffee concentrate, 1/3 milk of your choice, 1/3 ice and up to 2T sweetener of your choice.

Iced Mocha: Stir 2T Thrive Chocolate Drink Mix into 1/4c hot water until dissolved. Pour it into your glass and add: 1/3 coffee concentrate, 1/3 milk (Thrive Instant Milk, almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, etc) and 1/3c ice.

Blended Iced Mocha: (I'm sure Frappuccino is trademarked!):  Stir 2T Thrive Chocolate Drink Mix into 1/4c hot water until dissolved. Pour it into your blender and add: 1/3c coffee concentrate, 1/4c milk of your choice and 1/2c ice (or more depending on how thick you want your drink to be). Blend until smooth.

Iced Caramel Latte:  Fill your glass with: 1/3 coffee concentrate, 1/3 milk of your choice, 1/3 ice and up to 2T Hershey's Caramel Syrup. If you're feeling super ambitious, you could make your own caramel syrup: pour your homemade sweetened condensed milk with a teaspoon of vanilla extract in a glass dish. Set this glass dish in a larger glass dish filled halfway with water. Bake in the oven at 425 for an hour. Drizzle some into your iced latte. Yum.

 Drink. Savor. Repeat.