Specialty Drinks Recipe
Make Specialty Drinks Recipe in just 2h 2m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Cold Brew Coffee Base
Vanilla Lavender Simple Syrup
Assembly & Garnish
Method
Cold Brew Coffee Base
Combine and steep
In a clean 1-quart (or larger) jar or pitcher, add 1 cup coarsely ground dark roast coffee. Pour 4 cups cold filtered water over the grounds, stirring gently to ensure all grounds are saturated.
Cover the jar with a lid or plastic wrap. Let steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 16 to 20 hours for a smooth, low-acidity cold brew concentrate.
After steeping, strain the coffee through a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter into a clean container. Press gently to extract liquid but avoid forcing fine sludge through. Discard or compost the used grounds.
Refrigerate the strained cold brew concentrate. This yields about 3 to 3.5 cups of cold brew. For the recipe below, use a 1:1 ratio of cold brew to milk unless you prefer stronger coffee.
Vanilla Lavender Simple Syrup
Make the syrup
In a small saucepan combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves (about 3–4 minutes).
Add 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender buds to the simmering syrup. Let simmer gently for 1 minute to bloom the lavender, then remove from heat.
Stir in 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Let the syrup cool to room temperature with the lavender steeping for 20 to 30 minutes to deepen flavor.
Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve to remove the lavender buds. Transfer syrup to a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Yield: about 1 cup syrup.
Assembly & Garnish
Build the drink
Fill two tall glasses with 1 cup ice each (total 2 cups ice). For each glass, pour 1/2 cup cold brew concentrate over the ice and 1/2 cup chilled milk or milk alternative, maintaining a 1:1 ratio (adjust to taste).
Add 1 to 2 tablespoons vanilla lavender simple syrup to each glass, depending on desired sweetness and floral intensity. Stir gently to combine.
If using, scrape a small amount (about 1/8 of a vanilla bean) over the tops for an aromatic boost, or float a small dried lavender sprig on each drink as garnish.