Ever wondered how to make delicious coffee on an adventure away from home? Cowboy coffee is a simple way of making coffee, and this step-by-step guide walks you through essential must-know tips to create the perfect campfire brew.
Cowboy Coffee Brewing Specs
- Brew Time: 4-5 minutes
- Coffee/Water Ratio: 1:16
- Grind: Medium-coarse
- Water Temperature: 200°F (93°C)
- Recommended Coffee: SaiGon OG, DaLat
Cowboy Coffee Brewing Summary
- Heat water over your campfire or other heat source.
- Measure and add coffee grounds to the pot.
- Let the coffee grounds steep in the hot water.
- Remove from heat and let it settle.
- Pour slowly to avoid grounds falling in your cup.
- Sweeten and enjoy!
Tools & Ingredients
- Enamel or sturdy coffee pot — Use a durable pot that can handle campfire conditions, ideally small to medium size.
- Heat source (campfire, stove, or grill) — A campfire is traditional, but a stove or grill also works to heat the water.
- Measuring spoon (optional) — Helpful for precise coffee measurements, though not essential.
- Coffee cup — Use a suitable mug for drinking coffee outdoors.
- Water — For a standard pot of cowboy coffee (2 cups) opt for around 1 quart (900 mL) of water.
- Coffee grounds — Use around 50–60 grams of coffee for a standard pot of coffee (2 cups).
Step-By-Step Instructions: Cowboy Coffee
The process of making cowboy coffee is a simple but effective one.
Common, everyday items make this style of brew easily accessible, so you don’t have to sacrifice your morning coffee routine on your next adventure away from home.
Step 1: Heat the Water
Place your pot over the heat source and bring the water to a rolling boil (you want the water to be hot, so keep it on the heat until it's bubbling).
Step 2: Add Coffee Grounds
Add the coffee grounds to the hot water directly. You'll filter them out later, so just let them mix completely with the water.
Step 3: Brew Over Gentle Heat
Cover the pot and let the coffee brew for about 4 minutes. Keep over gentle heat. The water should not maintain a rolling boil or you’ll risk overbrewing the coffee.
Step 4: Stir & Settle
Stir the coffee before letting it sit for 2 minutes to help the grounds settle to the bottom. This step will make pouring the coffee and removing the grounds much easier in the next step.
Step 5: Pour & Serve
Carefully pour the coffee into your cup, trying to leave the grounds behind in the pot. Pour slowly and steadily to help minimize the chance of grounds entering your cup.
Alternatively, you can use a small metal tea strainer or filter to remove loose coffee grounds.
Related: How to Grind Coffee Beans For Full Flavor
Expert Tips & Tricks: Cowboy Coffee
Cowboy coffee is simple and straightforward by definition — just hot water and coffee grounds. However, there are a few tips and tricks to get the best flavor possible from your coffee.
1. Filtered Cowboy Coffee
For a cleaner cup, you can use a coffee filter bag. Add the same amount of grounds to the bag and place it in the water after boiling. Continue with the same brewing time and the rest of the process. You’ll still end up with a tasty cup of coffee but with less chance of any grounds.
2. Flavor Enhancements
To reduce bitterness, add a pinch of salt or a crushed eggshell to the grounds before brewing. These alkaline ingredients help reduce the bitterness of the coffee, making a more balanced cup.
3. Cold Water Trick
After brewing, sprinkle a little cold water over the grounds to help them settle to the bottom of the pot more quickly.
FAQs: Cowboy Coffee
Do you still have questions about how to make cowboy coffee? Here are some FAQs to answer your last burning questions:
1. Why is my cowboy coffee bitter?
Coffee usually becomes bitter when it’s over-extracted. Avoid this by removing the pot from the heat to cool before adding coffee, and don’t allow it to steep for too long.
2. How can I avoid grounds in my cup?
Let the cowboy coffee sit for a few minutes once brewing is complete to allow the coffee grounds to sink. When pouring, do so steadily to keep the grounds at the bottom of the pot.
3. Can I make cowboy coffee on a kitchen stove?
Classic cowboy coffee is made on a campfire, but this isn’t the only way to make it! Utilize the comfort and convenience of a kitchen stove, following the same brewing steps.
4. What type of coffee should I use for cowboy coffee?
Medium-coarse grounds work well for cowboy coffee as they settle in the pot well and extract flavors without using additional tools like filters. Cafely Sai Gon OG is bold and robust – perfect for brewing a champion cup of cowboy coffee.
5. How much coffee should I use for cowboy coffee?
Aim to use two tablespoons of ground coffee for every 8 ounces of water. Adjust this depending on your preferences for a stronger or weaker coffee.
6. Do I need any special equipment to make cowboy coffee?
The joy of cowboy coffee is the simplicity of needing minimal tools and ingredients. Use a regular pot or kettle to heat the water and a campfire, stove, or portable burner as a heat source.
7. What’s the best way to heat the water for cowboy coffee?
Let the water come to a rolling boil before removing it from the heat. Allow it to cool slightly before adding the coffee grounds to prevent over-extraction and an unpleasant taste.
8. How long should I let the coffee steep?
The coffee should steep for 4-5 minutes, giving it enough time to brew a balanced coffee that’s not bitter.
9. Can I add flavors to cowboy coffee?
Flavor your cowboy coffee however you please! Cinnamon sticks, vanilla extract, and cocoa powder are tasty additions to bring a unique edge to a classic cowboy coffee.
10. How do I clean my pot after making cowboy coffee?
Clean your pot with warm water, scrubbing coffee grounds with a stiff brush. Using soap isn’t wise as it can leave residue and flavors behind, which may affect future brews. Baking soda and water are ideal for scrubbing tough coffee stains in your pot.
