Imbibe-Style Herb-Infused Cold Brew Coffee
A smooth cold brew coffee infused with subtle herbal and citrus notes, perfect for slow sipping and awakening the senses. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 970 minutes brings together coarsely ground coffee beans, cold filtered water, finely grated fresh lemon peel for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 25 calories and feeds 4, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup coarsely ground coffee beans
- 4 cups cold filtered water
- 1 tsp, finely grated fresh lemon peel
- 2 small sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 tbsp, optional honey
- as needed ice cubes
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 1 cup coarsely ground coffee beans with 4 cups cold filtered water in a large jar or pitcher.
- Step 2: Add 1 tsp finely grated fresh lemon peel and 2 small fresh thyme sprigs to the coffee mixture.
- Step 3: Stir gently to combine, cover, and refrigerate for 16 hours to steep and imbibe the herbal citrus aroma.
- Step 4: Strain the cold brew through a fine mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter or cheesecloth into a clean container.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 tbsp honey if desired for sweetness.
- Step 6: Serve the cold brew over ice cubes in tall glasses, garnished with a small thyme sprig for aroma.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Imbibe-Style Herb-Infused Cold Brew Coffee take to make?
Total time is about 970 minutes (10 min prep + 960 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Imbibe-Style Herb-Infused Cold Brew Coffee?
Refrigerate any leftover imbibe-style herb-infused cold brew coffee in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Imbibe-Style Herb-Infused Cold Brew Coffee?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Imbibe-Style Herb-Infused Cold Brew Coffee for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Imbibe-Style Herb-Infused Cold Brew Coffee?
General cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
