How to make cold brew coffee without a grinder

Everything needed to make cold brew coffee

I've been experimenting with making cold brew coffee and discovered how super easy it is! I've tried all sorts of water to coffee ratios and settled on one that works for me. And I don't have a grinder but I do have a meat tenderizer which works well to crush beans into a coarse grind consistency.

Things you need:

• Whole bean coffee
• Room temperature water
• Jar with a lid (I use a mason jar - super handy because I use the measurement lines)
• Grinder (I don't have one so I use a meat tenderizer and a vinyl mat, see below)
• Fine mesh strainer

Coffee to water ratio:

• 1:4 (the winner for me)
• 1:1 (way too concentrated)
• 1:8 (too diluted since I like tons of milk with my coffee)

Steep time:

• 12-24 hours
• Room temperature
• Dark (I put it inside one of my kitchen cabinets)

Step 1: Grind the beans

Coarse ground coffee is best.

I don't have a grinder so I use a vinyl mat (the ones you use to line your kitchen cabinets!) and a meat tenderizer.

I fold the mat around the beans like an envelope and use the tenderizer to crush the beans. The ground size wasn't consistent but it was close enough. Added benefit - the mat acted as a protective padding against my kitchen counters!

Step 2: Combine coffee and water

I pour the coffee grounds and water into a mason jar and give it a quick stir. I use a ratio of 1 part coffee to 4 parts water.

Step 3: Put a lid on

I pop a lid on the jar and put it in a kitchen cabinet to keep it away from light.

Wait 12-24 hours (no need to stir or shake the jar during the steeping period).

Step 4: Wait 12-24 hours

This coffee was steeped for 18 hours.

Step 5: Strain coffee

I pour the coffee over a very fine mesh strainer.

Step 6: Enjoy!

I joke that I like coffee with my cream and sugar. I sweeten with simple syrup and add milk. :o) Drink yours your favorite way!