Don't Even Think About Serving Pour-Over Coffee At A Party

After-dinner coffee is the perfect accompaniment to a delicious dessert, such as chocolate amaretti cookies or hazelnut biscotti. You naturally want it served to match the quality of the rest of your spread and pour-over coffee achieves high marks where quality is concerned. However, this method of making java is far too labor-intensive when serving numerous guests.

For the unaware, pour-over coffee uses a special filter to hold grounds, over which hot water is poured. The result is a highly flavorful cup of joe that doesn't have the same acidic qualities or bitterness that other methods can sometimes fall victim to. But making pour-over coffee requires more steps. 

For example, you must exercise caution when pouring hot water to ensure a quality outcome. You may also be limited to one cup at a time, depending on the type of pour-over device you use. While there are pour-over carafes, they might not be able to accommodate particularly large gatherings. Thankfully, you have other options at your disposal capable of making tasty coffee for a group.

If you love cold brew, then you're already somewhat familiar with coffee concentrate. It entails combining water with coffee beans, which should be coarsely ground, and allowing the mixture to seep overnight. Come morning, the liquid must be strained to eliminate the remaining grounds, at which point it can be preserved to make all sorts of java-based beverages.

Homemade coffee concentrate lasts about three weeks when kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator. If you'd like a more convenient option, there's also storebought version, such as Aldi's cold brew concentrate in toasted coconut flavor. Keep in mind that the concentrate is far too potent to drink on its own. When the time comes to serve it to your guests, you can incorporate hot water to reduce the potency. You can also combine it with milk depending on your guests' preferences. In the event you're stuck making drip coffee, which is convenient but not always tasty, there are effective ways to boost the flavor.

Most people have a drip coffee maker in their home. And while these devices are perfect for busy mornings, you may worry that they aren't capable of making the same quality cup as pour-over or concentrate. There are proven methods you can use to enhance a drip version, such as grinding your own whole beans. The quality and freshness of the beans also matter, so be choosey about what brand you purchase. You may be better off buying beans from coffee shops directly, as they're more likely to have the freshest options.

How you handle the paper filter can also impact the final result. It's recommended that you run some hot water through the filter prior to adding the ground coffee, as this step will eliminate any unwanted debris. Afterwards, dump out the water from the carafe and add the ground beans to the filter as you normally would. You can also elevate the flavor of coffee with spices, which can transform a ho-hum cup into something amazing. Vanilla extract, cloves, and cinnamon are all excellent complements to the inherent flavors of coffee and can ensure your guests experience a perfect end to the evening.