How to Make Killer Instant Coffee on the Road

Coffee is the life-blood of adventurers and campers the world over. We know first hand that fueling up before a long day in the mountains or on the road and the ritual that comes along with it can be the best part of our day. But, the further you get from home, the harder it can be to find a great, trustworthy cup of Joe. Sure, there’s the occasional local craft coffee spot, which is a gem in an unfamiliar place. And the dreaded Starb- Nope, we can’t even stomach the idea let alone say the name. So it’s time to step up and take the craft coffee game to your campsite. Here’s a few tips to level up your coffee game on your next trip!

Buy High Quality Instant Coffee

Skimping on the quality of your instant coffee will leave you with an underwhelming cup of coffee. Buying the right grounds can be the difference between winding up with the equivalent of gas station coffee and that craft cuppa we all crave. Luckily we have the perfect recommendation, our Campers Blend Instant Craft Coffee we made in collaboration with Doma Coffee Roasters. This lightweight, travel-friendly coffee brings you the rich and robust flavors of brown sugar, dark chocolate, and caramel in every sip. Enjoy the art of craft coffee without the grind — just stir with 10 oz of hot or cold water and indulge in a delightful coffee experience, anytime, anywhere.

Use Filtered Water, and Focus on Temperature

Use fresh, filtered water to get the best taste—the type of water you use has a huge effect on how your coffee ends up tasting. Bottled or filtered water is your best bet but anything other than tap water will make a huge difference. Tap water can leave your instant coffee with an acidic or metallic taste that will ruin your morning faster than a hole in your tent. Be sure to pay close attention to your water temperature as well. Using hot water just below boiling point (around 195-205°F or 90-96°C) can save your coffee from tasting burnt or overly bitter. This may seem like overkill but with a little trial and error you can dial in the perfect temp every time.

Double Up

Adding more coffee will give you a better coffee flavor – makes sense, right? If you find your instant coffee isn’t quite packing the same punch, double up your instant coffee pouch to increase the flavor. This is especially true with cheaper brands of instant coffee. A few extra teaspoons of grounds can bring a lackluster cup of coffee up to the flavorful heights your local barista with a man-bun would be proud of.

Mix It Up

Break up the monotony of your on the road coffee, experiment with some different coffee styles to keep things fresh. These take a bit more time and effort but can vastly step up your coffee game. Here are some options to try out:

• Iced Instant Coffee
  In a jar, mix two teaspoons of instant coffee with warm water (and sugar, if that's how you drink it) and give it a good shake until the sugar has dissolved and the mix is frothy. Pour over ice and top with milk.
  
  
• Vietnamese coffee
  Sweeten up your iced coffee with a teaspoon or two of condensed milk instead of sugar.
  
  
• Greek Frappe Coffee
  Using a jar, shake up 2–3 teaspoons of instant coffee with ¼ of a cup of cold water until it's thick and foamy. Pour over ice then top with cold water. If you want a sweeter version, add some sugar before shaking.
  
  
• Dalgona Coffee
  This Korean coffee hack went viral (no pun intended) during COVID lockdowns. It's made by whipping up equal amounts of instant coffee, sugar and hot water until it forms creamy stiff peaks, then dolloping it over cold or warm milk.

What Else Can I Do With Instant Coffee?

Instant coffee is more versatile than you might think. For starters you can make a great cup of coffee, obviously. But with a bit of adventurer ingenuity, you can create some seriously tasty treats. Here are some creative uses for instant coffee.

• Baking Ingredient
  Incorporate instant coffee into your baked goods like cakes, cookies, or brownies to infuse them with a hint of coffee flavor. It can add depth and complexity to your favorite recipes.
  
  
• Coffee Smoothies
  Blend instant coffee with frozen fruits, milk or yogurt, and a sweetener of your choice to create a refreshing and energizing coffee smoothie. Experiment with different flavor combinations to find your favorite.

  
  
• Coffee Dessert Toppings
  Sprinkle instant coffee granules over desserts like ice cream, whipped cream, or chocolate mousse to add a burst of coffee flavor and a visually appealing touch.

Cheers to Your Best Camp Coffee Yet

We hope these tips help you craft the perfect cup of campfire Joe. We know how personal coffee can be, so let us know how you take your morning cuppa. We’d love to add your coffee tips to the list. After all, it’s coffee first, then everything else. See you on the road!