Whether your predilection for an Old Fashioned leans towards bacon-wrapped figs or spiced pecans, the consensus at Home Grounds is unwavering: the inclusion of coffee is paramount. The sweet, velvety, almost syrup-like essence of cold brew coffee serves as a harmonious adjunct to the Old Fashioned cocktail.

Curious about concocting an exemplary one? Continue perusing for an assortment of insights on crafting the ultimate cold brew Old Fashioned.

Prime Coffee Beans for This Libation

Traditionally, cold brew coffees favor dark to medium roast beans due to their robust profiles. Cold brew Beans made with coarsely ground coffee benefits immensely from the complex flavors developed in the later stages of roasting via the Maillard reaction. This transformation is what endows it with its sought-after low acidity and inherent sweetness.

Furthermore, the selection of single-origin beans or well-crafted blends should synergize with the accompanying ingredients. While a bright, floral African coffee might excel in a cinnamon orange iced coffee crush — where the predominant flavors are citrus and spice — it might not be as suitable for an Old Fashioned, where the flavors are more subtle and nuanced. Thus, a general rule is to opt for single-origin beans or blends from Central and South America.

Crafting a Cold Brew Old Fashioned

Though this beverage might elude many local bars, this cold brew variant offers a sophisticated twist on the classic pre-dinner coffee cocktail.

Much like our almond milk cold brew and Vietnamese cold brew coffee, this libation begins with the preparation of cold brew. For us, the ideal method is straightforward: coarse coffee grounds, room-temperature water, and a 50-ounce French press.

Using room-temperature water accelerates the extraction process and ensures the nuanced tasting notes of the coffee beans are fully captured. Combine the grounds with water and leave it to steep on your countertop for 16 hours.

Once your cold brew concentrate is prepared, press the plunger and decant the brew into a glass pitcher. Your concentrate is now ready to be used in various cold brew concoctions.

Now, with all your ingredients assembled, let’s craft this cold brew cocktail.

1. Brew Your Cold Brew

Measure one cup of coarse coffee grounds into a 50-ounce French press and add five cups of room-temperature water. Stir gently to blend.

With the plunger fully retracted, place the lid on the French press and let it sit on the countertop for 16 hours. Once ready, plunge and decant into a large, 50-ounce pitcher.

2. Create Your Simple Syrup

A few minutes before serving your Old Fashioned, combine one cup of brown sugar and one cup of water in a saucepan.

Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Once dissolved, remove from heat and allow the simple syrup to cool to room temperature.