The Iced Coffee Makers That Will Save You So Much Money This Summer
Summer’s right around the corner (or so we’re told!), and for caffeine-lovers that means one thing: iced coffee season. Whether you prefer black coffee, a creamy latte, or even iced tea, there’s is no better time to slurp down a perfectly chilled refreshment.
The downside? Iced beverages are kind of expensive. Unlike your regular cup of Joe, which is only a dollar or two — or better yet, free at your office — the iced variety can cost anywhere between three to five dollars, sometimes more! And because the average person spends over $1,000 on coffee per year, it’s a considerable dip into your summer vacation fund.
You know the drill by now, though: You’ll save lots of money if you just make your own coffee at home and skip the fancy barista. And so, here are four great options to help all you iced coffee fiends get your fill this summer — without stepping foot in a coffee shop. Unless you need to buy more beans, that is.
1. OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker, $40
Slapped with an “Amazon’s Choice” badge (and the winner of tests from Wirecutter and Epicurious), this surprisingly compact option is wildly popular. It has a “Perforated Rainmaker,” which evenly distributes the water over the coffee grounds for optimal flavor. It’s easy to clean, has plenty of built-in measurement markings, and the brew carafe gets stashed right in the fridge.
At first glance, Takeya’s iced coffee maker looks like your average pitcher. But with a built-in fine-mesh filter in the middle, it’s more than that. Just brew your coffee concentrate, take the filter out, and put the pitcher back in the fridge. It really doesn’t get much easier than that. And more than 2,700 reviewers agree (it has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon, plus that “Amazon’s Choice” badge).
Need your coffee ready to hit the road? Soma’s Brew Bottle is the perfect pick for any caffeine-lovers who are constantly on the go. It makes pour-over coffee, iced coffee, and tea; and then it can go with you in the car or on the subway.
We all have those days where one cup of coffee won’t suffice, and KitchenAid’s Cold Brew Coffee Maker is here to save an otherwise exhausting day. This option can make up to 14 servings — all you need to do is add your coffee grounds, fill with water, and stow in your refrigerator. And thanks to its steel tap dispenser, you can easily refill your glass. It’s like having cold brew on tap!