Cold brew better! Healthy hacks from a local cold brew expert

Story by Leah Seacrest / Photo by Kate Treick Photography

“I set out to address my own mental health, but along the way, I created a brand and found a tribe. My mission is to create coffee that fosters individual expression, creativity and compassion. We seek to elevate cold brew coffee and equip customers to be their own barista at home and enjoy the coffee bar experienc” — Stephanie Jones, the owner of Mrs. Jones Cold Brew Coffee

All the cool kids are doing it! Does a moment in your day consist of fueling up with a cold, refreshing brew of caffeinated goodness? If you answered yes, you are not alone. Cold brews and iced coffee seem to be all the rage these days. Resources show that from 2017 to 2023, the global value of the cold brew market rose by over $1 billion, with most cold brew sippers being between 18-34. Chances are if you aren’t part of this growing crowd, you have friends who are proudly guilty of jumping on the cold brew bandwagon.

Navigating the menu at a coffee shop can be overwhelming, especially with the myriad of options and the specialized jargon. For many, the allure of a delicious cold brew can be dampened by concerns about added sugars, high-calorie ingredients and the intimidation of not knowing how to order a healthier version. It’s crucial to understand that you can enjoy a flavorful, refreshing cold brew without compromising your health goals.

Stephanie Jones, the owner of Mrs. Jones Cold Brew Coffee, shares her expertise and innovative approach offering insights to making informed choices, allowing you to customize your drink to cut out the unnecessary extras while still indulging in your favorite cold brew creations. Her local shop specializes in unsweetened, dairy-free and preservative-free cold brew.

Her shop’s cold brew coffee is not only unique but also a healthier option for coffee lovers.

“We created a super-concentrated cold brew coffee that can be used in a ton of creative ways, without sugar or dairy, and make it accessible and fun,” she explained.

The shop’s signature flavors of cold brew Elixir are always fresher and more concentrated than anything found at the grocery store, providing both inspiration and encouragement for customers to enjoy cold brew in a healthier way.

For those looking to make a healthier cold brew at home, Jones offers some valuable tips.

“Our bottled cold brew Elixir concentrate is a great base for a healthy cold coffee. It can be found at the shop or other local shops and grocers,” she said.

For a simple cold brew latte, Jones suggests 2 ounces of Elixir, 8 ounces milk, 1-2 tablespoons simple syrup or flavored coffee syrup.

“Delish, convenient and quick!” she exclaimed.

For a high-protein, low-carb option, she suggests the Ripple milk (pea protein base) and monk fruit sweetener as additions.

Choosing the right dairy-free alternatives is also crucial.

“Lately, everyone is loving oat milk, but there are a ton of other milks on the market now. I’ve seen cashew, macadamia, coconut and pistacchio,” Jones said.

For those looking to add a bit of sweetness without compromising health, she suggests monk fruit or a stevia and monk fruit blend.

“Others enjoy local honey, pure maple syrup or agave,” she added.

Enhancing the flavor while keeping it healthy is another area where Jones’ expertise shines.

“At the coffee bar, we now offer Chagaccino as a boost to add in any of our cold brews. It contains chaga mushrooms, which are known to provide endurance, immunity enhancement and better cognitive function. Plus, it tastes amazing and contains no sugar,” she said.

Jones’ shop offers a variety of cold brew recipes that customers can try at home.

“Ordering healthy cold brew is easy at our coffee bar. Simply choose any Elixir coffee flavor, your favorite milk and sweeten it with a monk fruit/stevia blend. Sometimes we have sugar-free whipped cream on hand, so be sure to ask,” she said.

A favorite healthy treat is a Red Velvet or Brew-Whacker latte, both of which sound indulgent but can be made sugar-free and dairy-free.

Her shop also offers unique and seasonal cold brew recipes.

“We offer four new Elixir flavors each month and have eight core flavors available year-round. Fall favorites include Pumpkin Pie, Cookie Butter, Whiskey Praline and Butterbeer,” she shared.

Jones also highlights innovative ways to incorporate cold brew into other drinks or recipes, like smoothies or cocktails.

“Our website offers recipes for a protein smoothie and a cocktail for day or night caffeine infusion. You can substitute our cold brew into any recipe calling for liquids. I’ve added coffee to muffins, ice cream, beer, and even desserts like tiramisu,” she explained.

The local community has warmly embraced Jones’ business.

“Our community has been extremely welcoming. When we opened, we already had our customers from our five-plus years at Palafox Market downtown, and now we have an entirely new group in the north part of town too. We have adorable regular customers that we just love seeing,” she said.

Looking to the future, Jones has plans for expanding her product line and retail presence.

“We are working to expand our list of restaurants and small coffee shops that use and sell our products. We are always open to selling wholesale to independent grocers and specialty food stores,” she said. “In the next year, we will expand our offerings to include home brewing kits and more cold brew gear.”

Jones’ mission goes beyond just coffee.

“I set out to address my own mental health, but along the way, I created a brand and found a tribe. My mission is to create coffee that fosters individual expression, creativity and compassion. We seek to elevate cold brew coffee and equip customers to be their own barista at home and enjoy the coffee bar experience,” she said.

For those looking to enjoy cold brew in a healthier way, Jones and her unique approach provide the perfect inspiration. By following her tips and trying out her delicious recipes, you can savor the rich, smooth taste of cold brew coffee while staying on track with your health goals.