Nothing hits the spot on a chilly camping trip like a hot coffee at sunrise. But without all the comforts of your home kitchen, whipping up the perfect brew can be a little more challenging. Here’s how to craft the best cup of coffee at the campground.
- Pack high-quality coffee: You won’t be indulging in a specialty latte with syrups and sweeteners that can disguise the taste of subpar beans. So choose the best quality you can afford and grind the beans just before you leave for camp for the freshest flavor. Store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to brew.
- Don’t forget the water: Safe, clean water can make or break your brew. Either pack filtered water or be sure to have a filtration system to purify stream water with you.
- Go cowboy: Rather than investing in a bunch of heavy, unnecessary equipment, opt for making your camp coffee the cowboy way. All it requires is a pot or kettle and a heat source — like the campfire you constructed the night before. For every 1.5 cups of water, you add to the pot, mix in one heaping tablespoon of coarsely ground coffee. Place the pot over your heat source and remove it just before reaching a boil. Pour cold water over top to send the grounds to the bottom of the pot.
- Keep it warm: Pour your cowboy coffee directly into an insulated tumbler or mug to keep it warm as you sip all morning.