In a classic case of what’s-old-is-new, cowboy coffee is making a comeback. While the 2023 version may be a boot scoot away from the traditional, which is basically coarsely ground beans boiled in hot water and chugged down, the principle of the cowboy coffee remains the same as it did a 150 years ago on the American frontier.

Cowboy coffee is a rustic version of a French press but without a filter and with a much, much finer grind. Instead of filtering out the coffee dust, the thick and slightly gritty drink is consumed, grinds and all. Yeehaw!

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So how do you make the meanest brew in the west? Well, ideally you’ll have a campfire but if strata don’t appreciate the finer things in life, your stove will do.

Ingredients

300mL water
2tsp coffee, very finely ground

Method

1. Grab a pot or billy and fill it with 300mL water. Throw it on the fire (stove) and let it get nice and hot. When it’s simmering, toss in your finely ground coffee. How much coffee? Well, that’s up to you, partner. We’d go with two tsp though.
   
2. Let the water boil and the coffee simmer for a few minutes. Some cowboys say that when the coffee’s so strong it could fight a bull, it’s ready. Four minutes is plenty though.
3. Now, here’s the cowboy magic trick. To settle the coffee grounds, add a splash of cold water. The grounds will sink faster than the new sheriff in town.
4. Once the grounds are settled, pour your coffee and enjoy.

It’s a bit rough around the edges, but cowboy coffee is all about embracing simplicity. So, whether you’re out on the range or just looking for a taste of nostalgia, give cowboy coffee a shot, just keep your six-shooters holstered.

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