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Everyone loves a good iced coffee on a hot day. But sometimes its too much hassle to go out – and sometimes it’s too expensive! But that doesn’t mean that coffee cravings have to go unsatiated. We’re sharing the 8 best hacks for having a perfect cold brew without ever leaving home, including top iced coffee makers, super-caffeinated cans and gourmet beans.

the secrets to the perfect cup of iced coffee at home

Now that temperatures have begun to creep into the 80’s (at least here in New York), it’s time to make our annual switch to cold coffee. And though it’s a little bittersweet, bidding farewell to our warm morning mug, we are comforted by the fact that our at-home cold brew has never tasted better.

The best hacks to have a perfect cold brew without ever leaving home, including iced coffee makers, canned brands and gourmet beans.

The best hacks to have a perfect cold brew without ever leaving home, including iced coffee makers, canned brands and gourmet beans.

After all, making cold brew at home is simpler and faster than you may think – and with the right equipment, it tastes just as good as the cup you’re getting at the coffee shop. There are many different ways to prepare that perfect ice-cold glass. We’re sharing the best hacks to have a perfect cold brew without ever leaving home, including iced coffee makers, canned brands and gourmet beans.

8 hacks for the best cold brew iced coffee at home

1. Grady’s Bean Bags

If you want to keep things simple – super simple – you can’t do better than bean bags from Grady’s. These make the process easy. All you need to do is steep the bag in cold water overnight, and you will wake up to the perfect serving of cold brew. You can use any container, and you don’t even need a filter.

Best of all, the coffee lasts for two weeks in the fridge, so you can brew ahead of time, and have your coffee waiting for you every day. Grady’s cold brew is some of the best around – we’ll never get enough of those chicory notes – and we can’t think of a better way to wake up in the morning. Since each bean bag bundle makes twelve servings, we recommend starting with Grady’s case of six bundles – enough to keep you caffeinated for quite some time.best cold brews

BUY NOW – $69.95.

2. Exco Coffee Thermos

If you’re looking for the perfect vessel for your cold brew, you can’t do better than this glass lined insulated thermos by Exco. At 1.6 liters, this container will make the perfect home for your season’s first batch of cold brew. You can pair with the cold brew coffeemaker ($35.34) and filters ($10.14), so that you have the full setup.

BUY NOW – $27.99.

3. Cold Brew Coffee Maker

If you’re ready to get serious about your cold brew, it may be time to invest in Kitchen Aid’s own cold brew coffee maker. When it comes to culinary devices, there are few names we trust more than Kitchen Aid, and their cold brew coffee maker certainly does the job. The machine is easy to use, makes 28 ounces of cold brew concentrate, and can easily fit in a refrigerator. If you’re ready to take the plunge on at-home cold brew, this is a foolproof choice.

best cold brews

BUY NOW – $89.95.

4. Yama Cold Drip Maker

This amazing machine looks like something you’d find in a scientist’s lab – and it produces some incredible cold brew. The cold drip method reduces the coffee’s acidity by up to 69%, and helps it to retain all of its natural antioxidants. And since each part of the machine is made with handblown glass, they are all heat-resistant, and safe to put in the dishwasher or microwave. All you need is ice, water, and ground coffee – any roast is fine – and you’re on your way to the perfect cup.

best cold brews

BUY NOW – $270.00.

5. Vinci Express Cold Brew

This might be our favorite cold brew machine on the list. First of all, its special technology achieves the impossible:  it can be ready in five minutes, instead of the typical twenty-four hours. It’s also highly customizable, allowing you to select different brew strengths, and use the beans of your choice. We love this guy’s small size and quick brew-time, and we think you might want to give it a try.

BUY NOW – $79.99.

6. Nitro Coffee Maker System

Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about nitro. After all, there’s nothing quite like nitro – which is cold brew coffee that’s infused with nitrogen, making it smooth and foamy, like an ice-cold beer – and yes: it is possible to make it at home.  All you need is this magical machine, and a set of nitrogen cartridges, and you’ll be good to go – the maker is compact, safe, and easy to use. This is the original at-home nitro system, and you really can’t do better.

BUY NOW – $159.99.

7. Cold Brew Reserve

Of course, now that you have the perfect cold brew maker, you’re going to need some beans to use. And we love this bag of cold brew reserve from Stone Street, which is one of our favorite coffee shops in New York. The blend features gourmet “supremo” beans from Colombia, and it carries glorious notes of chocolate. The dark roast works with any cold brew system, and you can order it specially ground for the process.

BUY NOW – $17.25.

8. Verve Flash Brew Nitro

Maybe you’ve read all this, and you’re thinking, sounds great, but I don’t want to go to the trouble of preparing any of this myself. In that case, it’s time to order some cans of cold brew from Verve. We love Verve’s coffee, and we love that we can enjoy their Flash Brew Nitro Coffee any time we want. Delight in the notes of strawberry, honey, and fudge, and in the fact that waking up has never been easier to do.

BUY NOW – $15.00.

hacks for getting the best cold brew at home

Those are our tips on the best hacks to have a perfect cold brew without ever leaving home, including iced coffee makers, canned brands and gourmet beans. Enjoy!

Abbie Martin Greenbaum

Abbie Martin Greenbaum is a writer, reader, and pop culture connoisseur, who loves storytelling, coffee, and dessert. Her work has also appeared in Playbill.