By R. Justin Shepherd, spencersbg.tumblr.com
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2014 10:00 AM CST
The 100°+ heat index demands a refreshing beverage in the afternoon — and my favorite pick-me-up when I’m at home is Clever iced coffee. It’s quick (takes less than five minutes to make), it’s crisp, and it works perfectly with lighter-roasted, bright coffees — especially African beans.
First off, if you don’t have one already, get a Clever Coffee Dripper. These cost about $20 (you can buy it from us), and the return on investment is exponential. Mine has been used hundreds of times over the years, and I expect to use it hundreds more. You should also have a kitchen scale, preferably one that’s digital and weighs by the gram. These are also affordable ($15 and up), and also a great long-term investment for both your coffee and your kitchen.
So, if you’ve got coffee, a Clever and a scale, here’s what to do:
1.) Weigh out 32g of coffee, and grind it just a bit coarser than drip. (The grinds should be roughly the same size as raw sugar.)
2.) Rinse the filter. Whenever you use a paper filter, rinse it in the dripper with hot water, if possible. Just make sure to drain the rinse water before brewing!
2b.) Add a teaspoon or two of raw sugar. Since African coffees are fruit-forward, and since this drink’s meant to be savored quickly, a little sweetener is nothing to be ashamed of — just add the raw sugar to the Clever before adding the coffee, and it’ll melt in perfectly as you brew.
3.) Fill a large glass with 150g of ice (help from a 3-year-old is optional). Your brewed coffee (which will be extra-strong) is going to put directly onto this ice; when this ice melts, it integrates with the coffee to bring it back to a drinkably appropriate ratio. The glass needs to be at least 16oz, and preferably a little larger. Set this aside, but within reach.
4.) Add coffee to the Clever, then pour in about 100g of off-the-boil water, and stir. As soon as the water contacts the coffee grounds, start a timer and keep your eye on it. The first 30 seconds or so allows the coffee to “bloom” — releasing gasses that can impart some unwanted flavors.
5.) Add another 230g of water to the brew. At this point, keep your eye on the timer and grab that glass full of ice.
6.) When the timer hits 3:30, place the Clever dripper atop the glass of ice. The valve on the bottom of the Clever will engage, allowing the brewed coffee to drain onto the ice. This should take about a minute, and when it’s over, you’ll want to give the ice and coffee a few good stirs to let the last of the ice cubes melt into the brew.
7.) Pour the coffee into a new glass full of ice, and enjoy!
This recipe makes about 16oz of iced coffee, enough for 2-3 decent-sized glasses — so don’t be afraid to share!
