I have been on a DIY coffee kick lately and this has led me to indulge in some interesting accessories, including a 51oz French press, a vintage hand-cranked cast iron coffee grinder and a high-end coffee maker that consistently delivers a water temp of 200+ degrees for great tasting hot coffee!That said, my absolute favorite purchase in my search for the “perfect cup” has easily been this Barista Cold Brew maker from UrbanTrend!In the past few months, I have attempted to make cold brew in a Takeya pitcher, a glass French press, mason jars with mesh filter inserts and even the well-known Toddy brewing system, which worked well, but I found a tad bulky and visually unappealing.I’m no stranger to making cold brew at home and UrbanTrend’s Barista is hands down my favorite new way to make a big batch of great tasting cold brew concentrate that will last me an entire week!Here’s what I love about the Barista:• Large capacity without being bulky.• Classy styling, looks great on the counter• Stable, stacking design that comes apart and stores easily• Built-in mesh filter with positive locking mechanism for leak-free brewing• Wonderfully easy to clean• Base doubles as storage container and dispenser for concentrate after brewing• Can make any size batch you want!The only issue I have with my Barista is that the storage lid for the base doesn’t fit quite as snugly as it could, despite having a rubber seal. However, this is a very minor gripe and the container still works fine for its intended purpose.I usually like to make a rather bold concentrate which I can later dilute with equal parts water and a touch of cream. Brewing a stronger concentrate this way allows it to be stored anywhere from 1-2 weeks without losing its flavor! Here’s how I make mine:1) Set up the Barista Cold Brew maker on the counter and ensure that the switch on the front is set to “Lock”.2) Aiming for a 1:5 grounds-to-water ratio by weight to start, mix approximately 8oz of coarse ground coffee (~250 grams) with approximately 42oz (1250 mL) of water in the upper reservoir of the Barista. The key here is to use either filtered or bottled spring water (regular tap water can result in a sour, off-tasting final product).3) Use a small spatula to gently stir the grounds to make sure everything gets wet.4) Allow the mixture to rest at room temperature for 16-20 hours. There is no need for refrigeration during the brew period. Also, the longer it steeps, the more intense the flavors will be, but don’t exceed 24 hours for best flavor.5) Gently move the switch on the front of the Barista to “Release” and allow the cold brew to slowly drip into the base container. This could take upwards of an hour if you make a large batch like I do.6) Attach lid to base container and place in fridge. Scoop out wet grounds from top reservoir using the same spatula as above. Rinse the Barista system and allow to dry thoroughly.7) When ready to drink, simply add equal parts water and cold brew concentrate in a glass, adjusting the ratio to taste. Cream, sugar and ice are optional. Enjoy!For stronger coffee, simply use more grounds, a darker roast or let the grounds steep longer. For a less bold cold brew, use a lighter roast or adjust the grounds-to-water ratio (try 1:6 or 1:7). Either way, the Barista makes experimenting fun and creating your own DIY cold brew recipe as convenient as it gets. For me, it’s a keeper!Highly recommended!