How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home
There’s no better feeling than enjoying a smooth tasting coffee. Whether iced or hot, you can achieve a consistently flavorful cup of coffee in many ways. And, there’s one type of coffee many consider delicious and fuss-free: cold brew!
If you’re an avid coffee drinker, you’ll have surely heard about this type of coffee extraction. Whether you’re a cold brew fan already or trying to understand what exactly this is, we’re breaking it down for you plus including a guide on how to make cold brew coffee at home.
What is cold brew coffee?
In a nutshell, cold brew is coffee left to brew in cold or room-temperature water for an extended period of time - think 12 hours or more. Many love cold brew because it tends to be quite smooth and sweet in taste. It’s less bitter than if you, for example, brew a hot cup of coffee and then cool it.
If you’re wondering why that is, well, when steeped overnight or for longer periods, coffee becomes less acidic. Another reason so many coffee fans are turning to cold brew is that it can last up to a few days in the fridge.
How to prepare cold brew coffee at home
Cold brew’s loved for not only tasting beautifully smooth but also for being easy to make from the comfort of your own home. All you need for any cold brew recipe is:
- A large container (like a mason jar or French press)
- Strainer or mesh filter
- Measuring cup
- Coffee
- Filtered water
- Coffee grinder with coarse setting
Once you’ve sorted out these supplies, there’s no stopping you!
However, good to note that the cold brew extraction is an ultra-caffeinated concentrate, meaning you likely want to water it down if you find the taste a bit too bold. Similarly, pour over a bit of your favorite type of milk and enjoy an iced coffee wherever, whenever.
Eager to get started? When it comes to preparing your batch of cold brew, we recommend the following steps:
- Your coffee grinds should be coarse; smaller grinds make for an over-infused batch. For fresher, richer tasting coffee, grind your coffee the same day you’ll make your batch of cold brew. For a consistent grind every time, opt for a well-rounded electric burr grinder, like our X54 Allround Home Grinder.
- From there, you’ll want to measure out the amount of coffee you want to brew overnight. This depends on how strong you’d like your coffee to taste, but ideally aim for two parts cold water to one part coffee grinds. Or, for example, four cups water to one cup of coffee grinds. Adjust depending on desired strength.
- As a general rule of thumb: use filtered water. This makes for a nicer tasting batch.
- Brew for at least 12 hours. If you’re looking for a punchy coffee drink, you can leave your grinds brewing for longer (up to 24 hours if you prefer).
- Once your coffee is completed steeping for the desired time, strain the liquid carefully and pour yourself a glass.
- Store any leftover cold brew in the fridge in a closed container for future enjoyment.
All it takes is a bit of patience when it comes to brewing the best cold brew. And, cold brew is the sure-fire option for any coffee lover looking to enjoy a flavorful, creamy iced drink on the go or at home.
