Cowboy coffee is a simple and rustic brew, often associated with campfires and the outdoors. While it doesn’t require fancy equipment, there are a few tips to make a decent cup:
Ingredients:
- Coarsely ground coffee: About two tablespoons per 8 ounces of water.
- Water: Fresh, cold water.
Equipment:
- Pot: A heat-resistant pot or kettle.
- Heat source: Campfire, stovetop, or other heat source.
Instructions:
- Heat the water: Bring the water to a boil in the pot.
- Remove from heat: Once boiling, remove the pot from the heat source.
- Add coffee: Add the coffee to the hot water.
- Stir: Give it a good stir to ensure all the grounds are wet.
- Steep: Let the coffee steep for about 4 minutes.
- Settle the grounds: Gently tap the pot’s side or add a splash of cold water to help the grounds settle.
- Pour slowly: Carefully pour the coffee.
Tips:
- Use good quality coffee: While cowboy coffee is simple, using good quality, coarsely ground beans will make a big difference in taste.
- Adjust the amount of coffee: Experiment to find the coffee-to-water ratio you prefer.
- Filter if desired: If you dislike coffee grounds in your cup, you can filter the coffee as you pour using a bandana or cheesecloth.
Alternative method:
Some people also add the coffee grounds to the cold water before bringing it to a boil. This can extract more flavor but might result in a grittier cup.