Cowboy Coffee
One of the most classic ways to make camping coffee, and really make coffee at all, is called cowboy coffee. This is one of the easiest ways to make coffee and it works.
What You'll Need
All you'll need for this easy recipe is a kettle or coffee pot that can go over a flame, coarse coffee grounds, and water. This recipe requires minimal equipment so you don't have to bring a lot of gear to the campsite.
How To Make Cowboy Coffee
To make your cowboy coffee, you must first assemble your ingredients. Add your coffee to your kettle along with cold water. Put in about two tablespoons of coffee and eight to 10 ounces of water per serving.
Then, place the kettle on the fire. It will take a little while for it to get up to heat, but you'll need to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't brew for too long.
Take the kettle off the fire as soon as you see the first signs of boiling. Add a splash or two of cold water into the coffee to stop the brewing.
Now give it a stir and let it sit for a few minutes. The coffee grounds will settle at the bottom and stop the brewing. Bonus: it will help keep you from slurping down any of those grounds (gross). Pour out the coffee once the grounds are settled.
Pros and Cons of Cowboy Coffee
This method is easy to use and does not require a lot of equipment. However, it does require a pretty big kettle, which can take up a lot of space in your pack.
This method does not do a great job at filtering out the coffee grounds. You may find a few in your cup. Plus, it can be easy to over-brew this coffee, which can make for a bitter, burnt cup. This may not be the most ideal way to begin your day.
Moka Pot
Another coffee method is the Moka pot. A Moka pot is a special type of coffee brewer that makes a sort of coffee concentrate that's somewhere between the strength of black coffee and espresso.
Supplies
For this method, you'll need ground coffee, a Moka pot, and water.
How to make Moka pot coffee
Unscrew the top part of the pot. Fill the bottom of the pot with water, just below the safety device. Remove the grounds basket. Try not to push the grounds down as you fill up the basket.
Now, reassemble your Moka pot and put it over the fire. Once you have boiling water in the bottom portion, the building pressure will push the water up through the grounds, and you'll have coffee come out of the spout and into the top section.
And there you have your coffee. If you like, you can add a little hot water to dilute the coffee.
The Pros and Cons Of Moka Pot Coffee
If you know what to do, this method will make a really good cup of coffee. But it's definitely a trial-and-error kind of process. This is a fairly involved way to make coffee. It's a pain to clean and carry the stainless steel pot when camping.
The Moka pot can only make one or two cups of coffee at a given time. It's going to take some time if you are brewing for large groups.
Pour-Over
You've probably seen a pour-over on the menu at your local specialty coffee shop. Pour-over coffee is a delicious way of brewing coffee, used by both coffee experts and coffee enthusiasts.
What You'll Need
Pour-overs require a coffee cup, a funnel for pouring, a coffee-filter (either a metal or paper filter), and hot water.
Pour-Over Coffee
Pour-overs are pretty similar to the process of a drip coffee maker, but instead of the coffee percolator pouring the water, you do it.
Pour-over funnel: Place the funnel on top of your coffee cup. Place your grounds in the funnel. Put your filter into the funnel. Pour the water in small bursts over the grounds and let the dripper do its work. In just a few minutes, you'll have an amazing cup of coffee.
Use about two tablespoons per serving of the coffee grounds, and 10 ounces water.
Pros and Cons of Pour-Over Coffee
While this is a very delicious way to make coffee, it is a pretty involved process. This method also requires some equipment. And again, this method can only make one or two cups of coffee at a time, so it's not great for large groups of campers.
French Press
The classic French press. It's one of the best ways to make coffee and is also a lot of fun.
What you'll need
To make a French press coffee on your backpacking or camping trip, all you need is a French press brewer, coffee grounds, and hot water.
How to make French Press Coffee
While you're waiting for the water to boil, get your coffee grinder out and grind up your beans or grab pre-ground beans. While you're waiting for that to heat up, whip out your coffee grinder and grind up your beans or get your pre-ground beans out. You will want to coarsely grind your beans.
Now pour out your great cup of coffee and savor the flavor.
The Pros and Cons Of French Press Coffee
There are downsides to a French Press. While it makes a cup of coffee that is rich and full-bodied, there are also some. The majority of French presses can only make 2 or 3 servings. They are also too large to pack in a backpack. Small French presses can only produce one serving.
Aeropress
The Aeropress is one of the newest brewing methods out there. It is unique and innovative. It's a favorite among some coffee drinkers. Imagine it as an upside down French press. Fun!
What You'll Need
To make Aeropress coffee, you'll need an Aeropress brewer, special Aeropress coffee filters, coffee grounds, hot water, and a mug.
How To Make Aeropress Coffee
Start by putting your water on the heat source and bringing it to a boil. As the water is heating up, prepare your filter and grinds. Screw the circular screen onto the bottom of your brewer. Insert the filter. Place your grounds in the brewer. Leave the plunger out and place it directly on your mug.
Once your water boils, pour it into your Aeropress and fill it up. Let the mixture sit for about two minutes, then place your plunger in and push down. As if by magic, the coffee will appear at the bottom.
Pros and Cons of Aeropress Coffee
This is a pretty good method of brewing coffee. This method is flexible because it can produce a cup of coffee or a strong espresso that can be diluted by adding water or milk. This allows for you to make up to four servings at one time.
It is a bit of a strange brewing method that requires some equipment and practice. It's a bit of a strange brewing method that isn't intuitive for first-timers, so it might take a few tries for you to get the perfect brew. It's also not the best choice for campers who want to limit their gear.
Instant Coffee
Instant coffee is a staple of camping trips. It's one of the easiest methods out there. You don't have to be a barista to make a good cup of coffee.
What you'll need
This method only requires instant coffee bags, a mug, and hot water.
How To Make Instant Coffee
Making instant coffee is simple and, well, instant. Get some boiling water going on the stovetop. Pour some hot water in a cup, add your instant coffee, and stir. Voila! Voila!
Pros and Cons of Instant Coffee
The pros to instant coffee are that it's super easy to brew. If you are backpacking, instant coffee is easy to pack in your pack.
The cons of this is that it can sometimes taste strange. The brewed coffee also has to undergo a dehydration process. Dehydration can reduce caffeine and affect the flavor and aroma of coffee.
Javy Coffee Concentrate
Now, let's talk about our favorite way to make the best camp coffee: coffee concentrate. This coffee concentrate combines convenience and taste into one.
What You'll Need
You only need a mug, water and Javy Coffee Concentrate to make Javy Coffee.
How to Make Javy coffee concentrate
To make this brew, start by preparing your water. You can make it hot or cold, depending on your preference. You can use the water to make cold brew or iced coffee, or boil it for a hot cup of coffee.
Put your water in a mug and add one or two tablespoons of the concentrate, and you've got a great cup of coffee ready to drink.
The Pros and Cons Javy Coffee Concentrate
It's as easy to make as instant coffee, but it contains all the flavor and caffeine you want. You don't need any additional equipment and you can make it hot or cold depending on how you feel. You can add milk to make a delicious latte or just drink it black.
It's delicious, easy, and flexible. What more could you want from a camp coffee?
The Best Camp Coffee
So next time you break out the camping gear and hit the campgrounds, bring along a bottle of Javy. Ditch your bulky camping coffee maker and leave room in your pack for the things that matter. With Javy coffee concentrate, you can have a perfect cup whether you're car camping, backpacking, or deep in the backcountry.