Brewin’ with Brandi: Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
While the calendar reads summer, the seasons are already threatening to change on us here in the Pacific Northwest! Brandi decided to craft a lovely hot beverage using Bodum’s Hot Chocolate Maker. While using it makes it super easy — and fun! — you could also just heat everything up on the stove together and you’d get similar, albeit less frothy, results.
Ingredients
- 10 oz milk
- 1/2 oz Monin Caramel sauce
- 1/2 oz Monin Dark Chocolate sauce
- Pinch of salt
Directions
Heat milk (on stovetop or microwave – your call), add the sauces and salt, then mix well. Serve with a dangerous dose of whipped cream and enjoy!
Brewin’ with Brandi: Marshmallow Espresso
In need of a sweet little caffeinated kick while exploring the backwoods? Brandi’s easy-to-whip-up recipe uses the Handpresso, an ESE pod and a marshmallow — that’s it!
Check it out:
Ingredients
- 1 ESE pod (we used Caffe Umbria’s Gusto Crema)
- 1 oz hot water
- 1 marshmallow
Directions
Place a marshmallow in your serving cup. Prepare the Handpresso with the hot water and ESE pod, then extract it over the marshmallow. Enjoy!
The Sun Will Come Out With Cold Brew!
In follow-up to our test video that we posted yesterday, we thought we’d break down and compare the different cold brew options we have — including the Sowden / Hario / Bodum variety and more!
 French Press |
Dual purpose for hot and cool drinks, making cold brew in your french press will give you that kick in your pants all summer long. Whether you make it as a coffee concentrate to dilute or if you drink it STRONG like the SCG crew, all it takes is your desired amount of coffee, cold water and 12 hours in the fridge. This is great for making a big batch and stocking it up so it’s available whenever you need a cup o’ cold joe. |
 Sowden Soft Brew Coffee Maker |
While you can use it to make cold coffee similar to that from a french press, the Sowden Soft Brew gives you more flexibility in that you can use different grind consistencies. The microfilter features over a million tiny holes that enable you to brew with even the finest grind, producing a richer cup or more concentrated coffee in a similar amount of time. This can also be used for make hot coffee, as well. |
 Chemex |
It may look like a science experiment, but the science of the Chemex is easier than it looks. Unlike the french press and Sowden, you’re going to start your coffee out hot and as it brews it’ll cool down in the second chamber. All it takes is placing a good amount of ice in the bottom chamber, placing a paper filter in the top chamber, filling it up with your desired amount of coffee, pouring hot water over the coffee and watch as the coffee is extracted on to the ice giving you a smooth, cold and refreshing cup o’ java. |
 Hario Cold Brew/Mini Pot |
Made specially for cold brewing, the Hario Cold Brew and Mini Pots come in a sleek glass pitcher that will guarantee you will extract the most flavor out of your coffee. No need to heat up your water, whether it be cold or room temperature, fill up your pot’s nylon filter basket with coarse grounds, pour the water and brew it in the fridge for about 12 to 24 hours. You won’t need to finish your brew all in one sitting as it can keep for up to one month in a sealed container. |
 Hario Cold Brew Dripper |
If you’re fancy and have a lot of time on your hands, the the Hario Cold Water Dripper is what you need. A unique way of making your average cup of coffee or coffee concentrate, this dripper uses the classic cold-drip method. With every drop of water per second it saturates your coffee and drip by drip it will extract 26 oz. of coffee concentrate in about 5 hours. With a little more patience and learning curve, once you get the hang of it you’ll be sipping on some non-oily and acidic-free java. |
Compare: Cold Brew Coffee Preps
Summertime and the living is easy, right? Right! Especially if living involves a smooth cup of cold brewed coffee. We offer a few different ways to make it — from Sowden to Hario to Bodum — and wondered: Is one of them better than the others?
So we did what we usually do when faced with a tough question such as this: We put Gail to the test. Watch as she crafts three batches of cold brew, lets them hang out over night and then we perform a taste test. Find out if any of our cold brewers produces a better cup.
Camping Gail’s Gear Recommendations
In follow-up to our recent post on gear you can easily take on the open trail, Gail gives us her recommendations for what coffee accoutrement she recommends for back country excursions.
Crew Review: Capresso Tea C100 Kettle
In the world of tea kettles, Capresso really gives it all they’ve got. With a variety of options available, you’d be hard pressed not to find one that meets your needs.
Watch Gail walk us through the features and demonstrate the functionality of the Tea C100.
Java on the Open Trail
The sun’s finally out, the weather’s getting warmer and it’s that time of year to trek up the mountain to enjoy good ol’ Mother Nature. But make sure you fill up that pack with all the essentials — map, water, compass and … CAFFEINE! Yes, it’s possible to keep yourself buzzing with java as you hike through the forest. Check out some of our favorite on-the-go coffee makers that we throw in our packs before we hit the open trail.
 Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Espresso Coffee Maker |
As long as you have your whisper light, some water and your favorite coffee, you’ll be brewing up a strong cup o’ java in no time. Made of aluminum, this indestructible pot allows you to diffuse heat and get that same aromatic smell out of your coffee in the great outdoors. Simple and easy to use, just fill the lower chamber with water, add ground coffee to the filter and then place it on your whisper light until the water boils your espresso to perfection. |
 AeroPress |
Light and easy to pack, the AeroPress is the next best thing to bringing the actual coffee maker on a hike. Made of BPA-free plastic, the AeroPress mixes grounds and water for ten second and then uses a micro-filter, leaving your coffee silt and grit free. Smooth! |
 Handpresso Wild/Domepod |
Bike pump or espresso maker? The Handpresso may look like a bike pump but rather than pumping up your tire it’ll pump you up with caffeine. This hand held tool barely takes up any space and gives you an even easier option of using E.S.E. pods or your favorite ground coffee. All you need is hot water and your favorite coffee grounds or pods, then pump up the Handpresso and it’ll extract away. |
 Bodum Brazil French Press – 8 Cup – Polycarbonate |
Nearly indestructible, the polycarbonate version of Bodum’s popular French press is going to stick around for the long haul. Carry your favorite coarsely ground coffee, add hot water and let it hang out for a few minutes. Then serve up a rich brew for yourself and your favorite hiking partner — while watching the sunrise or set over the mountain side. |
Crew Review: Saeco Thermal Carafe for Exprelia & Xelsis
Better safe than sorry, no? Especially when it comes to your dairy products!
To assist you with keeping your milk fresh and cool, Saeco has released a thermal version of their one-touch carafe fro the Exprelia and Xelsis superautomatic espresso machines.
Watch Gail show off how it works!
Crew Review: Bonavita Variable Temp Kettle
Brian from Bonavita came by for a visit and shared with us his newest toy: The Variable Temperature version of their popular electric kettle.
Watch as he takes us through the development process and talks with Gail about the features of the new kettle. Then Gail uses it to make a batch of Velton’s Twilight Blend on the Chemex.
This new model is not yet available; the current ETA for the US is late August 2012.