Cold Brew is famous for being a smooth, low-acidity, and highly refreshing coffee. The real secret to this recipe lies in the contrast: the natural sweetness of the cold coffee combined with creamy milk foam and a subtle touch of sea salt that enhances all the flavors.
Recipe Information
Active preparation time: 5 minutes.
Steeping time (waiting): 12 to 24 hours (totally worth it!).
Servings: 1 person.
Ingredients
Cold Brew concentrate: 3/4 cup (180 ml).
Water or milk (optional): 1/4 cup (to dilute the concentrate if you prefer it milder).
Heavy whipping cream (for the foam): 3 tablespoons (liquid and very cold).
Whole milk or almond milk: 1 tablespoon.
Vanilla syrup or sweetener: 1 teaspoon.
Fine sea salt: A tiny pinch (just a few grains).
Ice: To taste.
Step-by-Step Preparation
Prepare the base: Fill a tall glass with plenty of ice and pour in the Cold Brew concentrate (along with the water or milk for dilution, if you choose to use them).
Create the cold foam: In a separate small container, mix the heavy whipping cream, the tablespoon of milk, the vanilla syrup, and the pinch of sea salt. Use a handheld electric milk frother (or whisk vigorously) for about 20 to 30 seconds until the mixture thickens and doubles in volume, achieving a smooth yet full-bodied creamy consistency.
Assemble the drink: Slowly pour the salted cold foam directly over the Cold Brew. You will see the cream float on the surface, creating a perfect separation. Barista Tips from cafexcafe.com
The Cold Brew secret: To make it at home, use a very coarse grind (like coarse salt) and let it steep in cold water in the refrigerator for 16 hours before filtering. If you use a fine grind, the coffee will turn out bitter and cloudy.
The salt trick: Don't use ordinary table salt; fine sea salt or kosher salt provides a clean salinity that cuts through the coffee's bitterness and highlights the syrup's sweet notes without making the drink actually taste "salty."
No electric frother? If you don't have one, you can put the foam ingredients into a small glass jar with a lid and shake it vigorously for a full minute. It works just as well!