How to Make Great Coffee Outdoors

The Secret to a Great Outdoor Coffee…

Nothing is better on a crisp morning outdoors than a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Perhaps our senses are heightened when we are outside which makes coffee taste extra good. Who knows? But if your morning coffee is part of your daily routine, it won’t be something you’ll want to miss out on.

As you may expect, there are many ways to brew a good cup of coffee in the wild. How you choose to make your coffee is likely to depend on exactly how much of a coffee connoisseur you are. So, if you need that early-morning pick-me-up or simply a source of energy after a long hike, here are our top 5 ways to make the perfect coffee outdoors:

1. Instant coffee – This is likely to be one of the easiest methods for making coffee outdoors. The biggest benefits of using this method include not having to bring any extra coffee-making contraptions with you, and not having to throw away any leftover coffee grounds. All you’d need to do to make this coffee is mix boiling water and however much instant coffee you desire. You can easily boil the water using a portable stove, or by bringing boiling water or ready-made coffee in a thermos, if you’re on a day trip.
2. Cafetiere/French press – If you want to go all out or are camping with a car nearby, a cafetiere is a perfect way to make a fresh morning brew. To use this method, you’ll need a portable stove, cafetiere, water, ground coffee beans and a mug or two. You can also get cafetieres specifically for camping – they are a lot more durable and compact. Portable gas-burning stoves like Jetboil can also be very compact and easy to carry too. If you want to be a little more sustainable (which we love) then you can use a wood-burning mini stove – there are some great ones on the market. Both stoves are very versatile so can be used for your food cooking too. If you want your coffee extra fresh you can bring coffee beans and a grinder – but this will mean you have more to carry. While this method is foolproof, it is perhaps a little too much equipment for a normal day hike. However, if you love good coffee and are willing to bring along this much gear then this will be so worth it.
3. Coffee filters – You can get collapsible pour-over coffee filters which are great for camping. You simply need to place your coffee drip and filter over your mug, add the right amount of coffee grounds and then pour over hot water. Compostable coffee filters or a reusable coffee filter is certainly worth considering. Alternatively, coffee bags are also a great way to easily make your coffee outdoors. They’re like tea bags but for coffee. All you need to do is pour the hot water straight into the cup with the coffee bag inside and you’re sorted. Taylors of Harrogate is just one example of a brand that offers compostable coffee bags. Some brands offer recyclable coffee bags too.
4. Cowboy coffee – For our hardcore adventurers, you may want to try out cowboy coffee. However, this is a little risky because you might end up drinking a mouthful of coffee grounds. To follow this method, you need to add coffee grounds to a pot of water. Place it onto a stove and bring it to a boil. Leave the pot for a few minutes without stirring to allow the grounds to settle at the bottom (this is an essential step). You then pour the coffee into your cup and you are good to go. It is recommended that you make a little bit more coffee than you plan to drink because that last bit of coffee is just going to be grounds, and that may not taste too great – although, it will be full of fibre.
5. Cold brew – If you like your coffee ice cold or can’t bring a stove and the extra accessories, then this may be the route you want to take. A cold brew coffee is great for a day trip outdoors as it can be pre-made. To do this you will need to mix ground coffee and water in a cup and place it in the fridge to steep overnight. After you have strained the coffee the next morning, you can add in any extras such as creamers or ice and then place it into an insulated travel mug and you’re good to go.

Making a coffee outside is a great experience. With so many brewing methods available, nothing is stopping you from enjoying a cup of coffee when on an outdoor adventure.