Are you a fan of coffee and tea drinks? If so, you're in for a treat! Today, we're going to explore the wonderful world of making pumpkin cream cold brew right in the comfort of your own home. This delicious beverage combines the smoothness of cold - brewed coffee with the warm, spiced flavors of pumpkin, creating a perfect concoction for any season, but especially during the fall months.
First, let's talk about the basics of cold - brewing coffee. Cold - brewing is a method that involves steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period, usually 12 to 24 hours. This process extracts the coffee's flavors without the bitterness that can sometimes come from hot brewing. To start making your pumpkin cream cold brew, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee beans
- 4 cups of cold water
- 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree (make sure it's 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/4 cup of maple syrup or your preferred natural sweetener
- 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
- 1 cup of your favorite non - dairy milk (for a vegan version) or regular milk
- Ice cubes
Now, let's get into the step - by - step process. Begin by placing the coarsely ground coffee beans in a large pitcher or jar. Pour the 4 cups of cold water over the coffee grounds. Stir gently to make sure all the grounds are saturated. Then, cover the pitcher with a lid or plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for about 12 hours. If you're short on time, you can also refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
After the cold - brewing time is up, strain the coffee through a fine - mesh sieve or a coffee filter into another container. This will remove the coffee grounds, leaving you with a smooth, flavorful cold - brewed coffee. You can discard the used coffee grounds or compost them if you're environmentally conscious.
Next, it's time to make the pumpkin cream. In a small saucepan, combine the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice. Heat the mixture over medium - low heat, stirring constantly until it's well - combined and heated through. This usually takes about 5 minutes. Once it's ready, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the pumpkin cream cool slightly.
Now, it's time to assemble your pumpkin cream cold brew. Fill a glass with ice cubes. Pour the cold - brewed coffee over the ice, leaving some room at the top. Then, slowly pour the cooled pumpkin cream into the glass. You can use a spoon to gently layer the pumpkin cream on top of the coffee for a more visually appealing look. Finally, pour in the non - dairy or regular milk, and give it a gentle stir.
One of the great things about this recipe is its versatility. You can adjust the amount of sweetener and spices according to your taste preferences. If you like it sweeter, you can add a little more maple syrup. If you prefer a stronger pumpkin flavor, you can increase the amount of pumpkin puree or add an extra dash of pumpkin pie spice.
Another benefit of making this at home is that you can control the quality of the ingredients. You can choose high - quality coffee beans and organic pumpkin puree for a healthier and more delicious drink. And if you're following a vegan diet, using non - dairy milk makes this recipe completely plant - based.
You can also get creative with your presentation. You can sprinkle some extra pumpkin pie spice on top of the drink for a decorative touch. Or, you can add a dollop of whipped cream (either dairy or non - dairy) for an extra indulgent treat.
In conclusion, learning to make pumpkin cream cold brew at home is a fun and rewarding experience. It allows you to enjoy a delicious, naturally - sweetened coffee drink that you can customize to your liking. So, the next time you're in the mood for a special coffee or tea beverage, give this pumpkin cream cold brew recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!