This time of the year, it can get just scorching hot here in Florida and the other coastal States! The same is true with many of our friends in places like Aruba, The Bahamas, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, to name a few. And the elements can really take the fight out of you. But never fear; we have a way to help give you a pick-me-up with a newer way to enjoy an old-fashioned drink: Coffee! ☕
Long before we had Sports drinks like the stuff developed by the University of Florida back in 1965, which everybody now knows as Gatorade, there was Coffee! That's not to say that coffee will have the same effect as highly researched and developed sports drinks. A boost of caffeine always comes in handy, and (you) get to control what is put into it at the same time. Besides, the sugar content of some (I made that mistake many years ago myself) can make you just Wolf it all back up in short order 😉
Now 90, plus degree heat with zero breeze is not the time to chug on hot Java, though I knew of one old salt that did, and his theory was that Hot Coffee was what you needed on a hot day; I would pass tell him "No Thanks, Brother though I love Java, I need something that is both Wet and Cold right now!" 😎
And like the USCG, Cold Brew Java to the rescue!
The beauty of this system is that though it takes much longer than your typical mug of Java to brew (at least 10 hours), you get to control how it is made. You can choose any Coffee taste profile you enjoy, or, as I found out, I was able to recover and use up some other Java that I was just not as much of a fan of since Cold Brewing produces (from the lack of heat), in most cases, a smoother coffee since the hot water releases more acidity into the water that cold brewing does not.
And no biggie if you do not want to consume more caffeine later in the day like I do! Just use decaf coffee, which usually has a more fruity taste profile due to the caffeine removal process employed to strip it out.
So, here is our method for making Cold Brew that you may enjoy. And If you have a French Press, this system works really well! If not, this one below works, and you can order one simply by clicking on the picture.
Place 1 cup of (coarsely) ground coffee into a sealed container or French press. I prefer and am a huge fan of our Sunrise Sessions Dark Roast from our Friends at Afuera Coffee Co., but any of our great roast profiles (including our excellent decaf) into it.
Water quality is as critical as coffee quality since around 97% of coffee is water by volume! Do yourself a Big Phat Favor and use filtered or bottled water. Some say to pour 4 cups of water, but that might make it a tad strong for your preferences; I use 4.5 cups. Experiment with how you mix it; over time, you will get it all dialed in, just like the carburetor on your old Outboard, to come out tasting smooth...
I then stir it with a big spoon to help ensure it all gets covered with water, then place your cover on it. Again, I use a French Press to make mine, but any container with a good lid, like a large Mason Jar, will work!
The next little trick I use is to place it in the door of the Refrigerator (if yours has enough space), and this is to help keep it stirred up a little while brewing each time someone opens and closes the door. 😉
10 to 12 hours later, you are ready to stir it one more time and then either pour/filter it into what you plan on drinking or taking it with you, or in the case of the French Press, slowly push the handle down to the grinds and pour this awesome mixture over ice, with the creamer and the sweetener of your choice and enjoy. 😋
If it's too strong from that batch, just cut it some with a little more water or ice cubes. What you don't use or take along will keep for about a week in a sealed container (minus the grinds, naturally) in the Fridge, so if you want to make it in bulk a couple of days later, it will taste pretty much the same as the day you first poured it! 😎
We are delighted to have Afuera Coffee Company as The Nation's "Official Coffee Supplier." This exclusive collaboration for Flats Nation promises the best coffee experience with a wide range of coffee profiles to suit almost any taste. This is the fuel you need before you jump on the Skiff, and you can also order it directly in the Flats Nation Store (along with other Flats Nation cool stuff) by clicking here:
In the meantime,
We invite you to take in a few Flats Nation Podcast Episodes to help "Scratch that Fishing Itch" when sipping coffee, traveling, or at work and you cannot hitch up the Skiff and go, on these links:
Our main podcast page works well for mobile devices since it streams (or downloads) on your phone or tablet. You can find it by clicking Here.
Tight Lines, and God Bless!
Dave and the Team
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