How to use the ALDI Cold Brew Coffee System

My definite best ALDI purchase of the week? This ALDI Cold Brew Coffee System, of course. But this definitely did not come with the best instructions, so I thought I'd tell you how I used mine to make the most delicious cold brew coffee -- and let you know what that extra round piece in the box is for!

Now, those of you who have used cold brew coffee makers in the past of course might not have been as confused as I was. For those of you who haven't made your own cold brewed coffee before, though, here are your step-by-step Crofton Cold Brew Coffee System directions.

Note: The Crofton Cold Brew Coffee system is different from ALDI's Ambiano cold brew coffee maker, which is a much more expensive electric machine that cold brews coffee in 10 minutes.

How do you use the Crofton Cold Brew Coffee Maker?

The Crofton Cold Brew Coffee Making System comes with the following:

• Glass carafe
• Stainless steel filter (with screw on lid)
• Lid (with built in strainer)

And minimal directions, printed right on the side of the box.

Save by making your own cold brew coffee at home!

So, here's how you make your own cold brew coffee using the Crofton Cold Brew Coffee Maker.

1. Unscrew the silver lid from the top of the filter.
2. Place the filter inside the carafe, pushing it down until it locks in place.
3. Add ¾ to 1 cup ground coffee to the filter (dark roast will work best).
4. Pour water slowly into the filter over the coffee grounds until the carafe is filled.
5. Replace the lid.
6. Put the filled carafe in the fridge for 16-24 hours.
7. Pull out the filter and replace it with the strainer lid.
8. When serving, cut the cold brewed coffee about half and half (or to taste) with water or milk, since it will be concentrated. 
9. Add ice and enjoy!

Note that the box suggests using coarse ground coffee, but I used regular ground coffee and mine still came out quite nicely. I just left the glass pitcher in the fridge overnight, and was able to enjoy a tall glass of cold brewed coffee mid-morning the next day.

Tips: If your first batch of coffee isn't strong enough for you, try 1 cup of ground coffee instead of ¾ cup. Don't use a fine grind, and dark roast will produce the best results.

My review? The Crofton Cold Brew Coffee System is awesome!

If you've ever purchased pre-made cold brewed coffee, you know that it's so good, yet so expensive. This little cold brew coffee system ran just $9.99 as an ALDI Find, and I'm definitely going to be using mine all summer long.

You only get about four cups of cold brewed coffee here, but it's concentrated. I cut mine about half and half with water here, so it will go further than you might expect by looking at the amount of finished cold brewed coffee in the carafe. The coffee came out so well, too! So smooth, rich, and concentrated, but not at all bitter. It also seems to be much less acidic than traditional brewed coffee.

Update: I'm on my third batch now, so this is definitely not a one hit wonder -- cold brew coffee is dangerously addictive, and perfect for summer! 

Having trouble cleaning the filter?

If you are having trouble getting the last of the grounds of the long, skinny filter in this cold brew coffee system, here's my best trick for dealing with it!

Missed the Crofton Cold Brew Coffee System?

ALDI's cold brew coffee maker is a limited time special buy, and generally sells out quickly. If you miss it, it usually rolls around once a year. If you can't wait, though:

• This BTaT cold brew coffee maker has great reviews!
• Check out this competing Takeya model for a few bucks more
• This Hario Mizudashi cold brew coffee pot is another option

Now that we're getting warmer weather here again, I'm pulling my own cold brew coffee system out for the summer!

Got a bit of leftover coffee?

And, if you have a bit of leftover cold-brewed coffee: Use it to make this all-ALDI recipe. Chile mocha brownies are so good, and an easy way to jazz up a basic box of brownie mix.