Easy & smooth cold-brewed iced coffee spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice & cloves.
Lately I’ve been wondering if it’s time to start acting like a grown up. I can’t even tell you what that means, because I just act like, well, me. The other day someone thought I was wayyy younger than I am (this isn’t even including the almost daily basis in which I’m mistaken for a student), and although this should be a compliment (YAY!! You didn’t notice those lines decorating my forehead!), I immediately got into my head thinking “OMG do I need to start acting like I’m in my *gulp* late 20’s?”
Again, not that I could even tell you what that means. But sometimes I feel like maybe I need to stop talking like a teenager, getting upset when children beat me at games, and locking my husband out of our room so I can win at the who gets into bed first game. That’s a whole other story that I should probably be embarrassed of, but I’m not because I have the maturity of a 6 year old.
I find this whole “growing up” and “maturing” business incredibly confusing. I guess I just assumed it would happen naturally, but I’m starting to wonder if it’s something people make a conscious effort to do? You know, like washing dishes (something I find equally appalling).
But then on the other hand, I go to bed at 9 pm, I make my own coffee and I even pretend I’m fancy and call it toddy. That really is the name for cold brew, but I feel like it’s this secret coffee snob name that no one really knows about. I am totally a coffee snob, but in an all inclusive name. Feel free to join me in my snobbery and use words no one else knows. 😉
There are few DIY projects I love more than making a huge batch of toddy. It is ridiculously simple, and not a single drop ever goes to waste. It’s one less thing I have to worry about in the morning. My coffee routine is simply fill my glass with ice, pour in toddy, add some almond milk and grab a straw. Nothing to prep the night before, and I never have to worry about running out of time to feed my caffeine addiction.
Of course, sometimes I like to spice things up. One of my favorite local coffee shops offers spiced toddy this time of year (although I’ve never actually tried it there), and it always sounded so delicious. I am a huge fan of pumpkin spiced lattes, and pretty much any fall coffee drink you can imagine, so I wanted to incorporate my favorite flavors right into my cold brew.
I was a little worried I wouldn’t be able to taste the spices over the bold flavor of the coffee, but they shine through without being over powering. You can always add more if you want a bolder spice flavor, but I like the nice hint that adds depth–it makes you wonder what’s different about this coffee, and why it tastes special.
Adding the spices doesn’t really take any extra time–just add them right into your batch while it sits. I used a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves. You could also add ground ginger, cardamom (for a chai flavor), or any other spices you want. If you want to see detailed instructions with step-by-step photos on how to make your iced coffee, check out this post!
Simple & easy cold brewed iced coffee seasoned with warm, comforting fall spices.
Ingredients
- 1 lb good quality bold coffee, coarsely ground
- 1 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp cloves
- 2 gallons water
Instructions
- Pour ground coffee into a 2.5 gallon airtight container. Add spices. Top with 2 gallons filtered water. Pat down the top to ensure all coffee is incorporated. Cover and store for 24-48 hours (the longer it brews, the stronger it will be).
- Scoop out as much of the grounds as possible with a fine mesh strainer. Rinse strainer, then cover with a double layer of cheesecloth. Place covered strainer over a 1 gallon jug Use a measuring cup to pour coffee over your covered strainer to filter any remaining grounds. Repeat until jug is mostly full, then repeat with a second 1 gallon jug. If your coffee begins to have trouble filtering through, change your cheesecloth out for a fresh one.
- To serve, fill glass with ice and add 1-2 inches of water. Add coffee, and any desired cream or sweetener.
It is always okay to feel young at heart. I am in denial that I am in my late thirties as I continue to feel like I must still be in my 20’s 🙂
Loved your recipe. sounds like it has delicious fall flavors!
Haha that’s awesome! 🙂
NEVER grow up! That’s my plan and I’m sticking to it. As soon as you start thinking of yourself as “OLD” you’ll become old.
I don’t have good luck making my old cold brewed coffee. It never tastes as good as a coffee shop. Maybe I need to try yours….
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted…Running in the Dark
OMG you will love it so much more than at a place like Starbucks where they brew it hot–you’ve got to try it!
I now know what a Toddy is lol
Kierston @candyfit recently posted…Starting Fresh….
I LOVE me some cold brewed.
a lot.
Im not allowed to keep in the house ;-0
MIZ recently posted…Jump rope time (*no* pinnable workout inside!).
I can’t tell you how to grow up since I’m still trying to figure it out for myself, but I -can- tell you that these looks absolutely delicious and I could really go for a “toddy” or two right now…
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. WIAW … simple swaps .
Thanks Amanda! 🙂
I’m 33 and some days I act like a teenager {I blame working with them} and other days I act like a granny – going to bed by 9pm 5 days a week! No shame either way!
Maureen recently posted…Pumpkin Banana Muffins {GF, Dairy Free, Soy Free}
Hahaha love it!
I think there are some fun little things we will probably never get too old for – definitely getting mad when people beating us at games is one of them. 😉 I actually didn’t know what a toddy was and have been wondering for a few days (of course I was too stubborn to google it) so I’m glad I know and I love all the spices you added!
Katy @ KatysKitchen recently posted…Comment on Poppin’ Protein Bowl by Katy
I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets upset about losing! 😉
MMM delicious!
And don’t worry, I work at a college and get mistaken for a student all the time.
Jamie @ couchtoironwoman recently posted…Let’s GLOW Volunteer
Hehe, glad I’m not the only one! 🙂
This could be the perfect drink, it’s still hot here in SoCal, so I don’t always want a hot drink! Here is my answer fall without the heat!
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted…Being Resilient…We slip up and then we stand up
It’s still warm here too–totally the perfect option, especially in the afternoon!
I too love cold brew coffee with almond milk. It’s delicious.
PS. Toddy is the name brand of a cold brew coffee system producer. They make the plastic jug and glass carafe system. Calling cold brew coffee Toddy is like calling the internet Facebook.
IS It Vegan? recently posted…Review: YumEarth Organics Fruit Snacks
Oh my goodness, this looks perfect!
This sounds like a weekend project I need to try!
Hey Ari,
It may help you to know, that the term “toddy” comes from a specific brewing device, of the same name. It usually runs about $35-45 depending on where you buy from, but it will make your coffee making process much easier (especially when it comes to filtering the coffee). It uses a ratio of 1lb coffee to 9 cups water, making a concentrate that is diluted with two parts water to one part concentrate, or a 1:1 ratio with milk (or milk substitute). For an avid iced coffee drinker, it’s probably the most sound investment I could ever recommend.
My boyfriend likes to brew it in our french press (for me, cause I love me some ice coffee, and he’s dreamy like that), although I think that doing it in a regular container would brew more for sure.
And I’m totally going to start calling it toddy. That’s awesome.
Alex @ Alex Tries it Out recently posted…Fitness Friday: 2 days until #MDay
I love iced coffee but never thought to have it with fall spices. Bet it tastes amazing! Enjoy being young while you can! It’s hard convincing yourself you still are when you start to need reading glasses and have a hard time getting off the floor at the end of yoga class!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen recently posted…Five-Alarm Chili
This sounds tempting. Thanks for the recipe.