Why?  Because coffee goes with everything.  Well, everything I like anyway.  It goes with chocolate, you can rub it on ribs.  You can drink it hot or cold.  In fact, one of my favorite cigars is Java by Drew Estate, coffee and mocha infused with nuances of mint and vanilla.  If coffee had a fashion equivalent, it would be your favorite threadbare jeans, your simple black dress, your ballet flats.  In short, coffee is timeless. 

With summer approaching, I’ve recently been enjoying my cold brewed coffee, made from beans procured from Bootstrap Joe Coffeeworks, an independent Bay Area based roasting business co-founded by two of my favorite people on earth, Jason and Glen.  Along with their college friend Nico, these three are on a quest to make “Great coffee for working people.”  Great coffee indeed, I’ve used their Sumatra Blend in my Coffee Spice ‘Rubbed for Your Pleasure’ Baby Back Ribs—recipe coming soon.  Those of you special enough to have partaken of these ribs can vouch for how awesome, rich and complex they taste, in no small part due to the coffee rub I used.

Anywhoo, cold brewed coffee is one of those things you hear about and go ‘yea, right’ because you think it’s not really a thing.  Were she alive today, my grey haired Lola Emilia in all her old Pinay wisdom would be rolling her eyes at the mere mention of this cold brewed nonsense, whilst savoring every last drop of a steaming hot cup of Taster’s Choice flavored with Coffee Mate.  But cold brewed coffee is in fact a thing that’s so simple to make, all you need are basic ingredients: good quality coffee beans from Bootstrap Joe Coffeeworks, water and time. 

Adapted from: Food 52 Magical Coffee

Ingredients

2/3 cup coarsely ground Bootstrap Joe Coffeeworks coffee
3 cups water
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons dark brown or turbinado sugar
1/4 cup hand torn mint leaves

Preparation

1. In a jar, stir together all ingredients
2. Cover and let rest at room temperature overnight or 12 hours
3. Strain coffee over filter covered strainer
4. Pour strained coffee over ice and add cream, milk or coconut milk to taste
5. Let your eyes roll back momentarily in your head and enjoy

 

**For the sake of transparency, I do get something from Bootstrap Joe Coffeeworks in exchange for this post: fashion advice from Glen and Hayes Valley restaurant recommendations from Jason.  And a lifetime supply of cousin love.