Cold-brewed iced coffee isn’t new in the industry – it isn’t even new to Datz – but Tampanians are rediscovering these cool beans in a whole new way which is making our baristas very excited. We make our cold coffee with a contraption called a Yama cold-brew siphon—a 4-foot tower of twisting glass pipes and jars, which drips one drop per second for 13-16 hours to make a lighter concentrate that we believe retains more of the beans’ original character than other cold-brew methods. Plus, it’s just pretty cool to look at.

Don’t believe us… check out this video from Yama Cold Brew

HOW-TO: COLD BREW ICED COFFEE
Of course, we’d love it if you came by Datz to try our cold brew coffee, but since we are food lovers too,  here’s how you might do it at home, MacGuyver style. (This method requires some planning—it needs to steep for 12 hours—but fans of the smooth, nutty brew it creates say it’s worth the wait.)

Ingredients:
1 lb. coarse Kahwa coffee grounds (about 5 1/2 cups);
64 oz. (8 cups) room-temperature water;
1 gallon of cold water, milk or cream

Tools: long-handled spoon, 1-gallon jar, bowl or bucket, for brewing; very fine sieve, permanent coffee filter or several layers of cheesecloth, 48-oz. carafe; ice-filled tall glasses

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Directions: Place grounds in a 1-gallon brewing container. Slowly pour 64 oz. of room-temperature water over the grounds, then stir with a long-handled spoon. Let steep at room temperature for 12 to 16 hours, stirring occasionally.

After 12 to 16 hours, filter the coffee concentrate into a 48-oz. carafe using a very fine sieve, permanent coffee filter or several layers of cheesecloth. Pour the coffee concentrate into ice-filled tall glasses, diluting it with cold water, milk or cream to taste, taking into account the dilution that will come from the ice as it melts. Cover the carafe and store unused coffee concentrate in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Looking for more iced coffee alternatives? Check out this story by tbt*s Janet Keeler

The Agave Kiss

Why not share a kiss with this exquisite drink? Raspberries and cream with a touch of deliciousness! The Agave Kiss is made with 1921 Crema de Tequila, Voli Raspberry Cocoa Vodka, Mathilde Framboise, cream and fresh raspberries.

Chocolate Cherry

We immediately fell in love with the main ingredient of this martini: 44 North Rainier Cherry Vodka! Skip the chocolate covered cherries and indulge in this delicious treat instead. It is made with 44 North Rainier Cherry Vodka, 360 Double Chocolate Vodka, Rothman & Winter Orchard Cherry, Meletti Cioccolato and a chocolate covered cherry!

Jose Gaspar, self-proclaimed “Gasparilla”, was a lieutenant in the Royal Spanish Navy until 1783 when he created a mutiny, seized command of a ship and sailed to Florida. As a pirate, Gasparilla was the last of the buccaneers, and terrorized the coastal waters off West Florida during the early 19^th century. In fact, excerpts from his diary boast the capture and burning of 36 ships! The ships' crews could either join him or walk the plank… ARGH! Gaparilla ravaged the waters off Florida until December 1821. The crew then decided to divvy up their fortunes and retire as pirates, when they caught a glimpse of what they determined would be their final conquest – a merchant ship sailing to Orleans. But, alas, it was a U.S. Navy warship in disguise!

Here is how the story is told, “just as the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise was boarding the defeated ship, Gasparilla seized a heavy chain, wrapped it around his waist and neck and leaped into the water, brandishing his sword in a final gesture of defiance as he sank into the sea.”

This was the basis for the festival that started in 1904. It was dreamt up by Miss Louise Frances Dodge, the society editor of the Tampa Tribune and during a series of secret meetings, the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla planned the first mock invasion!

Come help us celebrate this unique and fun Tampa tradition with one of three Gasparilla inspired items:

Gasparilla Milk Punch

How do Tampa's Krewes get ready for the invasion? With Milk Punch of course! This favorite tippler is best made a day ahead for full effect.

1 C Buffalo Trace Bourbon 
1 C 360 Vanilla Vodka 
1/2 C brandy 
Whole Milk 
Fresh Nutmeg 

DIRECTIONS: Combine sugar, bourbon, brandy and vodka in a gallon container with a lid. Shake until the sugar is dissolved. Add the nutmeg, shake again. Add the milk, two cups at a time, until the jug is full, shaking well after each addition. Chill overnight, then shake and serve.

 Pirate's Plundering Pancakes

This towering four-tiered stack of buttermilk pancakes drenched in a coconut-rum sauce will tempt the tastebuds of any marauder – seaborne or otherwise. In fact, the only flag you'll be waving after this will be a white one! (This menu item is available during weekend brunch only.)

Cheers to Tampa History! Tell us what your favorite Gasparilla tradition is!

do you have a unique Christmas Eve or Hanukkah tradition?

Tell us about it in a comment on this blog!

The winner will recieve a complimentary meal card!

Have a great Christmas Eve! 

another complimentary meal card!

It’s photo time for all of you instagram users out there!

Tweet us your favorite Datz photo (food or person at Datz)

Doesn’t have to be with instagram,

most interesting photo wins!

On the 10th Day of Christmas, Datz gave to me…

We’re feeling nostalgic today.

If you could bring back one item from all of our menus over the years,

what would it be???

Today’s winner will receive a complimentary meal card!

And the winners are… Jennifer A. with her Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra tradition AND Nicole’s Risotto because that my dear just sounds delish!

On the 9th Day of Christmas…

or the 1st Day of Hanukkah…

Datz gave to me…

Tell us about that one Christmas or Hanukkah food

you look forward to all year And WHY!

Write it in our comment section and we will select our favorite one.

And the winner is…. Melinda! What a great memory!

On the 8th day of Christmas, Datz gave to me…

A complimentary appetizer!

Simply tell us in a comment below

what your favorite Christmas food memory is!

We will select a winner and announce tomorrow morning.

Datz gave to me….

A great shopping deal!

No interaction required!

Stop on in to our Foodie’s Market for

buy one get one free on ANY olive oil!