The $35 Cold Brew Find for the Easiest Summer Mornings
I grew up in a Latin household, which meant I drank lots of coffee as a child — anyone else get nostalgic just opening a canister of Cafe Bustelo? This also means my caffeine tolerance is quite high. While I’m more partial to a hot or iced matcha latte on a regular basis, I love having an ice-cold glass of rich and refreshing cold brew — especially during these warm summer mornings in my home of Southern California.
What’s to Love About the OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker?
The OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker takes up little space on your counter or in your fridge, and produces rich and refreshing cold brew with the least amount of effort.
My husband and I both prefer freshly made coffee, so we always avoid pre-packaged and bottled coffee. But the last thing I want to do when I wake up is to make my own latte. Cold brew, however, can easily be prepared the night before and it’s brewed to be more concentrated so I can get my caffeine way more easily as I start my day.
During the lockdowns of 2020, my husband became somewhat of a self-taught barista and found one of our favorite devices to make delicious cold brew and make the most of those slow summer mornings.
What’s So Great About the OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker?
OXO is an editor-favorite kitchen brand, so there was no doubt that my husband and I would enjoy its Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker. This small yet mighty cold brew maker can brew up to 24 ounces (the equivalent of five to seven cups of cold brew), which is perfect for those extra-busy weeks when you can’t spend extra time making coffee. The OXO measures about 5.2 inches deep, 5.3 inches wide, and 8.6 inches high so it’s small enough to be left out on our kitchen counter while brewing, but I prefer to put it in the fridge to keep the cold brew, well, cold, at all times.
This cold brew maker has two parts: the brewer, which has a stainless steel mesh filter for easy cleaning, and the glass carafe with a cork lid to keep the cold brew concentrate fresh. The brewer uses a rainmaker system that evenly distributes water over the coffee grounds (I like to use my favorite medium-roast blend that has a touch of citrus acidity that’s perfect for summer) and drains directly into the glass carafe. The recommended brew time is between 12 and 24 hours, but I personally prefer a brew between 12 and 16 hours for optimal taste.
The beauty of this OXO cold brew maker and the concentrate it produces is that you can control the strength and taste of your cold brew. Personally, I like my cold brew a little more diluted than the label’s recommendation so I pour four ounces of the concentrate over ice and add two ounces of water (and sometimes a splash of almond milk if I’m in the mood for a more mild drink).
The end result? A bold and energizing beverage that makes me appreciate an early day while brushing off the triple-digit weather.
Buy: OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker, $34.95