Camping Coffee Made Simple: A Backcountry Brewing Hack

We’ve heard there are a few people out there who like to go camping. Apparently it’s a thing. The appeal of getting out into the woods, slowing down, and reconnecting with nature is pretty easy to understand. For some, it is a regular way of life. For others, including a few of us here at Virgin Hill Coffee, it sounds nice in theory but rarely makes it past the planning stage.

Still, coffee has always had a way of following people wherever they go.

For centuries, long before espresso machines or electric brewers existed, coffee was made with whatever tools people had on hand. Early brewing methods were simple and resourceful, often involving cloth filters, cloth bags, or metal strainers. In many ways, camping coffee is not a modern hack at all. It is actually closer to how coffee was originally prepared, especially in homes and field kitchens where simplicity mattered more than equipment.

If you enjoy exploring different coffees, you can check out some of the roasts that work especially well with simple brewing methods here: Knowlton Blend, or explore our full range of coffees here.

What you will need

• A coffee filter (or paper towel if you are improvising)
• Medium to fine ground coffee
• A mason jar with the ring
• Hot water

How to brew it

Start by placing the coffee filter over the opening of the mason jar. Gently press it down into the jar so it forms a small bowl shape, about two inches deep.

Secure it in place using the mason jar ring so it holds its shape.

Add about two tablespoons of coffee for a six ounce cup. This style of brewing is very similar in spirit to early coffee preparation, where measurements were often guided by experience rather than precision tools.

Slowly pour hot water over the grounds. The key here is patience. Early coffee brewing traditions always relied on controlled extraction, and rushing the process tends to flatten the flavour. A slow pour allows the coffee to bloom and develop more depth in the cup.

Let it drip through and you will end up with a surprisingly clean, simple cup of coffee.

The result

What you get is a straightforward, no-fuss cup that tastes better than you would expect from such a basic setup. It is not far off the spirit of early coffee brewing, where the goal was never perfect equipment, but simply making a good cup wherever you were.

And honestly, you can’t really go wrong with a good roast like Knowlton Blend either way.

Want an easier camping setup?

If you prefer something a little more reliable for camping or travel, we also carry alternative portable brewing options like the AeroPress and Wacaco. These are great options for making consistent coffee anywhere without needing improvisation.