Cowboy coffee is a simple and traditional way of making coffee, often used by cowboys and campers out in the wilderness. It’s a no-frills method that requires only a few basic ingredients and equipment. Here’s a classic cowboy coffee recipe to enjoy at home or around a campfire.
Ingredients:
- Freshly ground coffee (coarse grind is preferable)
- Water
- Campfire or heat source
- Coffee pot or kettle
- Long-handled spoon
Instructions:
- Measure the coffee: For each 8-ounce cup of water, use about 2 tablespoons of coarsely ground coffee. Adjust the amount to suit your taste preferences and the number of servings you want to make.
- Prepare the water: Fill the coffee pot or kettle with the desired amount of cold water. Use clean, filtered water for the best taste.
- Build the campfire: If you’re outdoors, build a campfire and let it burn until you have a good bed of hot coals. You can also use a stove if you’re indoors.
- Heat the water: Place the coffee pot or kettle directly over the campfire or stove. Bring the water to a boil. Keep an eye on it to prevent boiling over.
- Add the coffee: Once the water is boiling, remove the pot from the heat source. Add the measured coffee grounds directly into the hot water.
- Let it steep: Allow the coffee to steep for about 4-5 minutes. You can adjust the steeping time to your taste preference. The longer it steeps, the stronger the coffee will be.
- Settle the grounds: To help settle the coffee grounds, you can carefully pour a small amount of cold water (about 1/4 cup) into the pot or sprinkle some cold water on the grounds.
- Pour carefully: Slowly pour the coffee into cups or mugs, being cautious not to disturb the settled grounds.
- Enjoy: Cowboy coffee is ready to drink! Sip slowly and savor the bold and robust flavor.
Note: Cowboy coffee is not filtered, so expect some coffee grounds to settle at the bottom of your cup. If you prefer a cleaner cup, you can use a mesh filter or a fine mesh strainer when pouring the coffee into your mug.