How To Make A Brew That Delivers French Press Flavor Without A Coffee Maker

The first thing many Americans reach for after they wake up is a cup of coffee, often before a toothbrush (an order of operations that's actually recommended by dentists). This is unsurprising, as the caffeinated beverage is actually just behind water in terms of most sipped drinks in the United States. We've all been there — it's 8 a.m., you're barely awake and the sun has rudely interrupted your sleep, all you can think about is that enlivening first taste of coffee.

But what happens when you don't have access to a coffee maker at all? Imagine you mistakenly forgot a portable coffee machine on your camping trip, or you're staying with that one family member who only drinks tea in the mornings. Maybe your machine just happens to go a bit haywire and you're desperate. In moments when your lack of caffeine access is dire, it can be difficult to muster up a solution.

As it turns out, there's a variety of ways to make coffee without a machine, and you'll want to know this method that happens to closely mimic a tried-and-trusted coffee making technique for a bold brew. This series of low-effort steps will do the trick in a pinch to give you a mock French press experience. In order to achieve this strong cup of joe, just add your coffee grounds to a bowl, pour hot water to cover the grounds, and once they're soaked, add enough for a full cup. Finally, after enough time has passed (about how long it takes to steep coffee with an actual French press), press the grounds with the back of a spoon in order to separate them from the coffee, strain, and you're ready to drink your morning cup. 

Though we'll admit this isn't the most delicate or tidy process, with some finessing, you'll have a cup as good as the real deal (or at least as good as you're going to get without a real coffee maker) in no time. Another helpful note about this method is that it can work with most containers, so long as you have a small utensil like a spoon that has a flat back to press your grounds with. Also, the more grounds added, the stronger your brew will be. The same goes for with how long you allow your grounds to soak in the initial pour of hot water. a fine strainer wouldn't hurt to have on hand to avoid a bit of the mess, too. This method essentially takes all the necessary elements of a standard French press and just operates a bit more DIY. 

The nation's caffeine fixation has experienced many phases. For those who don't have time to pull a shot of espresso or wait for a drip coffee to brew, there's now a huge variety of high-quality instant coffee brands to choose from. The tides have swung in the direction of craft coffee as well. Some enjoy having a wake-to-sip process that is more extensive than most skincare routines — where every step is incredibly precise. All said, the French press has been around for nearly a century and with so many flavorful coffee beans to brew, you might as well discover which ones you like best by diving into the adaptation of this classic brewing method.