The first time I made this coffee vinegar recipe, it wasn’t on purpose. I was halfway through preparing an old-fashioned drinking shrub — something my grandmother used to steep on the windowsill — when I grabbed the wrong bottle. Instead of apple cider vinegar, I poured cold brew coffee into the pot. I paused, almost poured it out… but something about the aroma stopped me.
Days later, I gave it a cautious taste. What bloomed on my tongue was unforgettable — tart and tangy like vinegar, but layered with the deep, earthy roast of coffee. There was molasses, smoke, and a subtle sweetness hiding in the sharp edges. It wasn’t just vinegar. It was coffee vinegar, and it was magic.
Now, this coffee vinegar recipe is one of my kitchen secrets — I drizzle it over roasted veggies, splash it into salad dressings, and stir it into marinades to give everything a mysterious, toasty edge.
It’s simple to make, but full of soul. Just like the best stories.
Why You’ll Love This Coffee Vinegar Recipe
If you’re anything like me, you probably raised an eyebrow the first time you heard about a coffee vinegar recipe. But once you taste it — just one little spoonful — you’ll understand.
It’s bold, complex, and deeply aromatic. The vinegar brings the brightness, while the coffee adds this unexpected layer of roasted warmth, like the quiet hum of a morning fire. It’s not sweet, but it’s not bitter either — it walks the line beautifully.
You’ll love this recipe because:
- It’s unique. You won’t find this flavor in a bottle at the store.
- It’s versatile. Use it in vinaigrettes, glazes, marinades, even cocktails.
- It’s easy to make. Just a handful of ingredients, a little time, and a bit of patience.
- It’s a conversation starter. Seriously — serve a dish with coffee vinegar, and people will ask for the secret.
I love pairing it with caramelized onions, roasted beets, or grilled peaches — that sweet-savory balance sings with the rich tang of this vinegar.
Once you try it, you’ll want to keep a bottle in the fridge always. And you’ll find yourself saying, “I know it sounds strange… but just taste it.”
Coffee and Vinegar Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Combine Liquids – Pour cooled coffee and apple-cider vinegar into the clean jar.
- Sweeten (Optional) – Stir in brown sugar and vanilla until fully dissolved.
- Seal & Steep – Close the jar and leave in a cool, dark place for 5–7 days, shaking gently once daily.
- Strain – Pass the mixture through cheesecloth or a fine sieve into a clean bottle.
- Store – Keep refrigerated for up to 3 months. Shake before each use.
Nutrition
Notes
- Mocha Depth: Add 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder before steeping.
- Citrus Lift: Drop in a strip of orange or lemon peel for bright aromatics.
- Maple Twist: Swap brown sugar for 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup for smoky sweetness.
- Spiced Version: Add a cinnamon stick, clove, or star anise for winter-warm flavor.
- No-Sugar Option: Omit sweetener entirely for a sharp, keto-friendly vinegar.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Table of Contents
Ingredients for the Coffee Vinegar Recipe
One of the things I love most about this coffee vinegar recipe is how simple it is. Just a few ingredients — but when they come together, they create something layered, deep, and quietly powerful.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Brewed coffee (cold) | 1 cup |
| Apple cider vinegar | 1 cup |
| Brown sugar (optional) | 1–2 tablespoons |
| Vanilla bean or extract | ½ teaspoon (optional) |
| Airtight glass jar | 1 (for steeping) |
☕ Use strong, brewed coffee — cold brew or leftover morning coffee both work beautifully.
🍎 Choose a raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar if possible — it brings a richer base to the final result.
🍯 Add a spoon of brown sugar or a touch of vanilla if you want to round out the sharpness.
This coffee vinegar is all about balance — bitter and sweet, sharp and soft, humble ingredients creating something extraordinary.
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Coffee Vinegar Recipe
This coffee vinegar recipe is a slow kind of magic — the kind that doesn’t demand much, just a bit of time and trust. It’s about letting the ingredients unfold on their own, creating something rich, unexpected, and deeply flavorful.
1. Brew or Cool Your Coffee
Start your coffee vinegar recipe by brewing a cup of strong coffee. Cold brew works beautifully, but even leftover morning coffee will do the trick — just make sure it’s completely cooled. Smooth and bold is what you’re after here.
2. Combine with Vinegar
In a clean glass jar, pour in the cooled coffee and add an equal part (1 cup) of apple cider vinegar. Give it a gentle swirl. At first, it’ll smell sharp — but trust me, the balance is coming.
3. Sweeten and Add Flavor (Optional)
To give this coffee vinegar recipe an added layer of warmth, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. You can also add a touch of vanilla extract or half a scraped vanilla bean. It softens the edges, adding a cozy depth to the acidity.
4. Seal and Steep
Seal the jar and let it rest in a cool, dark place for 5 to 7 days. Shake it gently once a day — just enough to say hello. Over time, the flavor will mellow and deepen, turning into something far more than the sum of its parts.
5. Strain and Store
Once the steeping is done, strain the liquid through cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve into a clean bottle. Keep your finished coffee vinegar recipe in the fridge — it’ll last up to 3 months, though mine never seems to stay that long.
This isn’t a recipe for the hurried heart. It’s for those who believe that patience brings beauty — and that flavor, like memory, is worth the wait.
Rafel’s Tips for the Perfect Coffee Vinegar Recipe
Over time, this coffee vinegar recipe has taught me that small tweaks make a big difference. It’s all about paying attention — to the flavor, to the steeping time, to what your heart feels like adding in the moment. Here are a few tips I’ve picked up along the way:
🌡️ Don’t Use Hot Coffee
Let the coffee cool completely before mixing it with vinegar. If it’s too warm, it can dull the brightness or ferment too fast. Patience is key — let the coffee rest, just like we all need to sometimes.
🍎 Use Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
If you can find unfiltered vinegar with the “mother,” it adds even more depth and subtle sweetness to the final flavor. It’s the kind of small detail that makes this coffee vinegar recipe truly sing.
🍬 Taste As You Go
Start with less sugar and add more if needed. Some coffees are naturally sweeter, and adding too much can overpower the balance. You’re not looking for syrup — just a gentle roundness on the tongue.
🧊 Chill Before Serving
If you’re using the vinegar in a salad or a drink, pop it in the fridge an hour before. Cold vinegar tastes smoother and makes flavors pop more clearly.
And if you’re in the mood to explore other bold pantry wonders, you might fall in love with pistachio butter for savory toast spreads, or try swirling a bit of this vinegar over roasted veggies alongside something fun like bang bang salmon bites. Feeling nostalgic? Use it to brighten up a simple salad next to a cozy meal like smothered chicken and rice — a little sharpness to balance all that comfort.
Variations on the Coffee Vinegar Recipe
One of the things I love most about this coffee vinegar recipe is how easily it adapts to your mood. Once you’ve made the classic version, it’s like opening a doorway — and behind it, dozens of ways to infuse new layers of flavor.
🌰 Mocha Coffee Vinegar
Add a teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder when you stir in the coffee and vinegar. It deepens the richness and brings out the bittersweet notes. I love using this version in marinades for grilled mushrooms or steak.
🍊 Citrus Coffee Vinegar
Add a strip of orange or lemon peel to the jar while steeping. After a few days, the brightness peeks through the acidity like sunshine through fog. This variation is especially lovely in vinaigrettes.
🍁 Maple Coffee Vinegar
Replace brown sugar with pure maple syrup for a slightly smoky, autumn-kissed twist. Try drizzling this one over roasted squash or using it to glaze carrots — it brings out those deep, caramelized flavors so beautifully.
🌿 Spiced Coffee Vinegar
Drop in a clove, a cinnamon stick, or a star anise pod for a cozy, spiced infusion. Let it steep for the full 7 days. It’s like winter in a bottle — warm, sharp, comforting.
And if you’re the type who loves to tinker and explore, you might also enjoy playful creations like a post-workout protein bagel recipe, a cozy slice of cottage cheese banana bread, or even something zesty and refreshing like the zesty time shrimp and avocado salad.
This coffee vinegar recipe is just the beginning — let your senses guide you to new favorites.
Serving Ideas for the Coffee Vinegar Recipe
What I adore about this coffee vinegar recipe is how versatile it is. It’s not just for salads — it’s a flavor booster, a secret ingredient, a little twist that makes people pause and ask, “What is that?”
🥗 Drizzle It on Salads
Use it in place of your usual vinegar in vinaigrettes. It pairs especially well with greens like arugula or spinach, and fruits like figs, oranges, or roasted grapes. Add olive oil, a touch of mustard, and a pinch of salt — simple, unforgettable.
🍖 Add to Marinades
This coffee vinegar recipe brings depth to marinades for beef, mushrooms, or eggplant. It plays especially well with smoky or charred dishes — like a kiss of espresso in the background.
🍅 Glaze Roasted Veggies
Toss root vegetables like beets, carrots, or squash in a spoonful of this vinegar post-roast. It sharpens the sweetness and leaves a toasty finish that makes every bite feel layered and lush.
🍸 Stir into Drinks
A teaspoon of coffee vinegar can completely change a cocktail or mocktail. Add it to a shrub base, iced tea, or even a smoky whiskey sour — that touch of acid and roast? It wakes up the entire glass.
And if you’re looking to pair it with something unexpected, try a crunchy bite of rice krispie ice cream, prep a slice of fluffy cottage cheese cloud bread, or enjoy it alongside a rich dinner like xmothered chicken (smothered-style, of course).
This coffee vinegar recipe is a quiet star — it won’t steal the show, but it will elevate every dish it touches.
Final Notes: A Reflection on This Coffee Vinegar Recipe
This coffee vinegar recipe surprised me — not just with its flavor, but with what it taught me.
It taught me that beautiful things often come from the unexpected. That what begins as an accident can become something treasured. That slowing down, giving something time, and trusting the process can lead to deep, layered rewards — in food and in life.
Every time I open a jar of this vinegar, I breathe in more than aroma. I breathe in a reminder: that even bitterness has its place, that depth comes from contrast, and that flavor — like memory — is built slowly, lovingly, and intentionally.
So the next time you’re looking to add a little something different to your plate or glass, reach for this bottle. You’re not just adding vinegar. You’re adding story, and soul.
FAQs About the Coffee Vinegar Recipe
Can I use instant coffee?
Technically, yes — but brewed coffee or cold brew will give you a much smoother, richer base with less bitterness.
How long does coffee vinegar last?
Yes! As long as it’s in a clean jar and in a cool, dark place, steeping at room temperature for a few days is safe and effective.
Is it safe to leave out while steeping?
Yes! As long as it’s in a clean jar and in a cool, dark place, steeping at room temperature for a few days is safe and effective.
Can I use other types of vinegar?
You can! White wine vinegar, balsamic, or rice vinegar each bring their own personality — feel free to experiment.
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