Vanilla Cold Brew
Vanilla is, of course, a flavor and ingredient, but vanilla is also used for describing something with no extra features or functions. In other words, “boring”.
What you’ll Need
- Coffee Beans
- Vanilla Syrup
- Skim Milk
- Ice
Brew Time
12-24hrs
Recipe Time
7min
I don’t agree with this at all, vanilla offers a lot of extra “features” in shape of a wonderful broad flavor profile that cannot be mistaken for any other flavor.
Vanilla is not boring, it’s fun and exciting. Just as coffee should be!
A Little More About Vanilla
Vanilla comes from the vanilla orchids and was introduced to Europe by a Spanish conqueror in 1520, together with chocolate. The orchids need to be pollinated in order for the vanilla fruit to grow. This is done by hand, and therefore this whole process gets very labor-intensive and that’s why vanilla is so expensive.
I’m using a vanilla coffee syrup for this recipe, but if you would want to make an extra premium version of this recipe you could use vanilla pods instead. For example, by making a simple syrup and adding the vanilla to it.
That said, fresh vanilla is pretty expensive. It is actually the second most expensive spice after saffron. So, it’s pretty convenient and less expensive to purchase some vanilla coffee syrup instead. There is even calorie-free vanilla syrup.
The Coffee
I’m using DripBeans medium roasted Everyday Hero coffee for this recipe. I don’t like a too dark roast with the vanilla cold foam, and Everyday Hero is just perfect for cold brew. But, feel free to use any roast and beans you want to.
The Everyday Hero coffee is a very high quality coffee and roasted to order, so if you want to find a cheaper coffee I recommend checking out your local roastery, Starbucks or maybe Amazonfresh’s Colombia Coffee.
Now when you know a little more about vanilla and what coffee beans to use, let’s jump into the recipe!
Step 1 – Make the Cold Brew
If you are using whole beans, which I recommend, grind your coffee to a coarse grind. Add the coffee to your brewing device, for example, and cold brew maker, French press or a mason jar with a filter.
Add water and make sure all the coffee gets wet. Depending on how strong you like your cold brew, you can use different coffee to water ratios. I’m using 1:12. Let the coffee brew for 12-24hrs.
After 12-24hrs (I will do 18hrs for this recipe), filter out all the ground coffee. There you go, some fantastic smooth coffee for your vanilla cold foam cold brew.
Step 2 – Make the Vanilla Cold Foam
If you have read any other recipes on this blog, you know that I normally use a milk frother for making any foam. I still recommend using a milk frother and I think that is the best way of doing it. However, if you don’t have a milk frother, you can use a French press and still get a great result.
For the vanilla cold foam, take your French press (or milk frother) and add about 1/2 cup of skim milk and roughly 1tbsp of vanilla syrup. Then but on the lid and start incorporate air into milk by pulling the filter up and down at a fairly high tempo. It will only take about 30s before you have a nice thick foam.
If you are using a French press for the foam, I recommend using a smaller version. For example IKEAs “Upphetta”. Unless you are making multiple servings (maybe you have your friends over?), then a bigger design will be the better choice.
Step 3 – Pour Up the Vanilla Cold Brew
Add ice to a big glass and pour up your cold brew. Leave a little space at the top for the vanilla cold foam.
Press down the French press filter one last time and top your cold brew with the foam.
There you have it, vanilla cold foam cold brew.
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Vanilla Cold Brew – FAQ
The easiest way is adding vanilla coffee syrup, but you could also fresh vanilla pods or vanilla extract. You can either add the vanilla directly to the coffee or to a cold foam. United by the earthiness, vanilla with its sweet and aromatic aroma, and cold brew with its smoothness and touch of sweetness is a match made in heaven. It is great if you want to add some vanilla flavor but also some sweetness to the coffee. There are also calorie-free variants for you who want that.How do you add vanilla taste to the cold brew?
Does vanilla and cold brew go well together?
Is vanilla coffee syrup good?
