How To Make Coffee For A Crowd In Your Slow Cooker

Creating an at-home coffee bar is easier than you think, and you don't even need the best espresso machine money can buy just to create a tasty batch. Sometimes all you need is a slow cooker you already have in your kitchen cabinet. We know what you're thinking. Coffee in a slow cooker? No, you're not misreading it; you can definitely make a huge batch of coffee enough for a crowd — or for you, for a week — in this versatile appliance. But ensure you're making just enough to be consumed within a month for the best-tasting scenario. Otherwise, you might end up with a flavorless cup.

It works similarly to how you would prepare a batch of cold brew with a jar or French press, where you soak the beans in water and wait for a few hours to let the water absorb all the flavor. And because the idea of making cold brew is flexible, all you need is a container and some grounds, which is why this works. You don't need to turn on the slow cooker, either; you're just using it as a container for all the caffeine that's about to come. It's perfect for brunch parties, busy weeks, or just for coffee-dependent individuals who need at least three servings per day.

For the slow-cooker-made coffee, following the ideal ratio is the most important part. Too many grounds and you might have an unpleasantly bitter batch, while insufficient water will give you a bland-tasting cup. There's a definite amount of how many cups of ground coffee you need to add to make cold brew, but you'd need to adjust it for this big batch. There should be at least an ounce (2 tablespoons) of coffee for every two cups of water. Since a typical slow cooker usually serves six quarts worth, expect to include 12 ounces of coffee beans and 24 cups of water for the perfectly balanced helping. You can follow the best steep time for cold brew according to experts, which is 12 to 18 hours. It might seem like a long time, but you don't really make DIY cold brew if you need an immediate caffeine boost. That's what espresso is for, or the ready-made bottle you can buy from your trusty neighborhood cafe.

To strain the coffee grounds, you'd need a coffee filter, cheesecloth, or even a piece of cotton fabric, and then straight into the fridge it goes. You can just take it out whenever you're craving a cup or when you have guests over. You can even spice things up and give your coffee a flavor boost with a few additions, including condensed milk, syrups, and even salt (though this works best for sweeter drinks).