How to Make Cowboy Coffee
How to Make Cowboy Coffee
While third-wave coffee culture offers numerous conveniences, cowboy coffee stands in a league of its own.
Brewing coffee is the process of transforming coffee beans into a beverage, with a variety of methods available. Among these diverse brewing techniques, it would be remiss not to mention one of the oldest methods in history—cowboy coffee. This approach is a lifesaver in tough times, and learning about it might come in handy someday. If you’re ready with your coffee, let’s dive into the guide to making cowboy coffee.
Cowboy coffee is usually brewed over an open flame and is also known as camp coffee (Kamp Kahvesi).
Its preparation method is considered similar to steeping tea. Hence, as you might guess, the coffee used for cowboy coffee needs to be coarsely ground. "So, how is it different from Turkish coffee?" you might wonder. In fact, this method has no similarities to Turkish coffee.
What Do You Need to Make Cowboy Coffee?
- A lidded coffee pot
- Coarsely ground coffee beans (similar to French Press grind)
- A heat source (gas stove or campfire)
- Water
Additional Materials: Eggshells and Used Socks
While used socks aren’t a must, they were part of the traditional method, likely because cowboys didn’t have spare socks at hand. Cowboy coffee can be used in various scenarios, from camping in the forest to trying something new with friends. It might sound like a "last resort," but if made well, you’ll find it surprisingly delicious—simple to make and easy to drink, cowboy coffee is a straightforward yet outstanding brew.
Essentially, cowboy coffee is a filterless French Press coffee. While it’s not as refined as coffee brewed with a Moccamaster, this simple method can produce a much tastier brew than you might expect.
Next, we’ll explain the step-by-step process of making cowboy coffee.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Pour the desired amount of water into a pot or kettle and bring it to a boil.
- Once the water boils, remove the pot from the heat and let it rest for about 30 seconds.
(Boiling water can scorch the coffee, so it’s important to let the water cool to the ideal brewing temperature.) - Add 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 273 ml of water.
(For multiple servings, you can scale this ratio by multiplying by 2 or 3.) - Stir the coffee into the water thoroughly.
- Let the coffee rest for 2 minutes.
- Stir it again.
- Let the coffee rest for another 2 minutes.
- After a total of 4 minutes, pour half a cup of cold water into the pot.
(The cold water helps the coffee grounds settle to the bottom.) - Your coffee is now ready to serve.
(Pour slowly to avoid disturbing the grounds, as sudden movements might mix the sediment into your cup.)
What About Eggshells and Socks?
Some cowboys add eggshells to make the coffee grounds settle faster. Eggshells also have the added benefit of reducing the acidity of the coffee. Socks, on the other hand, are used to separate the coffee from the grounds. Some people brew coffee inside a sock, while others use it as a filter.
Now You’re Ready to Hit the Trail!
We hope this guide to making cowboy coffee is helpful to you. The tradition of cowboys drinking coffee in the wilderness has a long history in the United States. In the context of today’s third-wave coffee brewing methods, cowboy coffee offers a nostalgic experience. While it’s not one of the most commonly used techniques, it remains an essential part of coffee’s cultural history. If you’ve never tried it before, we encourage you to give it a shot—you might just be pleasantly surprised by the results!
Coffee set
