As previously mentioned, one of the hardest changes I made when switching to a clean diet and lifestyle was cutting back on sugar…recovering sugar addict here! Cue new life necessity: healthy caffeine sources for non-morning people, such as my batch brew iced tea (also brewed in advance) and this overnight cold brew coffee.

If you’re getting older, have a crazy schedule, do early morning workouts, or have sleep issues such as chronic fatigue, cutting out caffeine can be damn near impossible. So, why not replace it with something healthier? Such as reducing, eliminating, or replace the sugar with a natural option, and getting your caffeine from a healthier source?

Eliminating caffeine from soda, lattes, and other bottled beverages left me with only a few healthier options: tea and coffee. Coffee I previously only drank when it was drowned in large amounts of sugar (in the forms of lattes with extra sugar syrups).

Why I Love Overnight Cold Brew Coffee

Prior to this recipe, my least favorite aspects of coffee were: the harshness on my stomach, the bitter taste, and the fact that you have to get up early to make it! Now, this is a key recipe in my recent series of easy healthy brunch recipes and here’s why:

Great for easy entertaining, brunch, or crazy workdays – throw in the fridge the night before, strain in the morning and serve in seconds!
Less acidic taste due to overnight brewing
Easier on stomach due to overnight brewing
Ability to pick an organic all-natural coffee so much healthier!

Best Roast for Cold Brew Coffee

In recent years, cold brews have become a trend! They’re a fabulous choice for those of us who love the smell and taste of coffee, but not the bitterness! Because cold brew has a milder, less bitter taste, significantly less sugar and milk is required. This makes it a great low-calorie, low-sugar, and low-chemical way to get your caffeine.

The best thing you can do is experiment with several roasts and pick the one best suited to you. It is known that the flavor you prefer best hot is not necessarily the same you will prefer cold. The cold brewing process seems to slightly mute the undertones in the coffee.

If you love a rich coffee flavor, go with a bold coffee choice. They’ll provide a deeper flavor with nutty, chocolaty, or earthy undertones.
Medium and light roasts tend to be a little more astringent. However, in cold brew the astringency and acidity is toned down so you may find a flavor you didn’t previously prefer is now much better.
Top recommendation: choose between a mild/medium or bold roast dependent on personal preference. However, other factors such as: going with a coarse grind, ensuring coffee freshness, and choosing a healthy source are much more detrimental to your final cup!

Health Benefits of Cold Brew Coffee

In addition to its benefits in taste, cold brew coffee is a lot smoother and less acidic, making it easier on the stomach. This is especially helpful for those suffering from acid reflux, digestive disorders, and/or with sensitive stomachs.

Top Tips for Creating a Healthy and Delicious Cold Brew

• Choose a reputable source that tests low in pesticides and chemicals (typically organic).
• Don’t pre-grind or if you do, don’t do it too far in advance. Coffee grounds that are pre-ground spoil quickly and don’t have as fresh of a taste! If you are grinding it yourself, do a coarse grind for better flavor!
• Use water purified by carbon filtration or reverse osmosis. Chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals can take away from your health and the flavor of your coffee.
• Skip the sugar. Or use healthier, natural sweeteners such organic coconut sugar, organic cane sugar, raw honey.
• Avoid coffee/creamer or use non-dairy organic milks and creams. Coconut milk from the can (so it’s a little thicker is a favorite of mine).
• Don’t let your materials compromise your “clean” brew. Make sure to source unbleached coffee filters or cheese cloths.
• If you aren’t in love with the flavor (or are keto), try using the cold brew to make bulletproof coffee.

What to Add to Cold Brew Coffee

Did you know that you could make your overnight cold brew coffee much more delicious and beneficial by infusing certain flavors into it?

Add cinnamon or cacao nibs in a coffee and spice grinder and add them in with the coffee grinds before refrigeration for added flavor and/or health benefits. Cinnamon is a favorite in many cases, for its potential benefits on healthy blood sugar levels. If you aren’t sure what to add to your coffee, this pre-mixed container of organic coffee spices makes it easy!

Other healthy addition options for flavor are vanilla beans, coconut flakes, and/or nutmeg. For a delicious (my favorite) natural vanilla cold brew coffee, add 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise in with the grinds before refrigeration.

What to Serve With It

Cold brew coffee is great for everyday breakfast — serve with pretty much everything! However, since its brewed in a large batch/in a pitcher, it also is great for serving to a crowd of weekend brunch. Check out these healthy brunch ideas for some sweet & healthy favorites to serve it with! Bonus: it pairs perfectly with these (gluten and dairy free) Healthy Apple Fritters.

Here’s to healthier caffeine and regaining our sparkle together,
✧❈✯✦Jenn✦✯❈✧