When I moved into my first apartment, I didn’t have a coffee maker. I still don’t. I love a good cup of coffee, especially an iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts. But I’m hesitant to purchase a coffee maker. They take up a lot of space on your kitchen counter, and can get pricey. While you can likely find cheaper options, the quality of either machine or coffee (or both) will suffer.
Regardless of why you might not have a coffee maker, I found three simple ways to make coffee at home without a coffee maker.
1. On the stove
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This method is probably the best one in the list if you enjoy a hot cup of coffee. What I like to do is lay out a coffee filter and put a couple of tablespoons of ground coffee and a tiny pinch of salt in the middle. Be careful not to overstuff the filter. Using a twist tie or a piece of string, tie the filters into little coffee bundles. These must be secure or you run the risk of coffee grounds escaping and ending up in your drink.
Place the bundles in a pot and add water. A good coffee-to-water ratio is about 1-2 tablespoons of coffee for every 6oz of water (ounce measurements should be labeled on your liquid measuring cups). You can adjust this to suit your personal tastes.
The ideal temperature for brewing a hot coffee is 195˚-205˚ Fahrenheit, but water boils at 212. Keep an eye on your coffee and don’t let it get above a simmer. Once you’re satisfied with the color of the coffee, take it off the heat and remove the bundles. Or, wait until it’s a little lighter than you’d like and take it off the heat. Let it sit until it’s slightly cooled and is your preferred strength before removing the bundles.
And you’re done! Add your desired cream, sugar, and/or syrups and enjoy!
2. Whipped
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This is a method made very popular via Tik Tok not too long ago. It’s where I learned about it. It requires a little arm work but it’s simple and easy to do.
All you need for this is equal parts instant coffee (make sure you’re getting instant coffee and not regular ground coffee), sugar, and boiling water. I recommend two tablespoons of each, and you can adjust depending on how much you want and your preferences. Mix the instant coffee granules and sugar together in a bowl. When the water comes to a boil, add it and immediately begin whisking. Whisk until the mixture becomes light in color and thick. It will have increased in size. The more you whip, the lighter and thicker it will get.
Add a few cubes of ice to a glass or mug and pour your choice of milk. I personally use whole milk, but I’ve seen people use oat milk, skim milk, even chocolate milk for those with an extreme sweet tooth. Leave enough room for the whipped coffee in the mug, and scoop it in. Mix with a spoon or straw and enjoy! This was some of the richest, creamiest coffee I’d ever had when I first tried it.
3. Cold Brew
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This one takes the longest, but it also gives you the opportunity to make more in bulk and since iced coffee is the caffeinated beverage of choice for many, myself included, it’s also my favorite.
For this, all you need is some ground coffee, water, and a large mason jar. I got my jar at Walmart. Simply scoop coffee grounds and a pinch of salt into the mason jar, and pour room temperature or cold water into the jar until full. I eyeball my ratio now, but you want roughly 3/4th cup coffee grounds to every 4 cups of water.
If you like sugar in your coffee and don’t want to worry about it dissolving in your cold morning cup, you can add a few scoops of sweetener (try dark brown sugar) and it will dissolve as it “brews”.
Stick the jar in the fridge and let it sit for about 12-16 hours. Letting it go for longer may cause it to go slightly bitter, but I haven’t personally had an issue with it.
And there you have it! Three ways to make delicious coffee at home without a coffee maker. Give ’em a try and leave a comment below with your favorite!