How to make Cold Brew Coffee
HOW TO MAKE PERFECT HOMEMADE COLD BREW COFFEE
18 hrs 5 mins - 4 servings
When the temperature rises, it's time for cold brew coffee. It's super easy to make, and you don't need any fancy equipment. Learn the best tips and tricks for the perfect cold brew at home every time; you'll never have bitter or watered-down iced coffee again!
IS IT ICED COFFEE?
Let’s get this out of the way first: there is a difference between cold brew and iced coffee. Cold brew is a type of iced coffee, but iced coffee is not always cold brew. There are differences in how they’re made, which also result in differences in taste and acidity.
Cold Brew is a type of iced coffee, made when coarse coffee grounds are steeped in cold water for an extended period of time (usually overnight 12-24 hours), then strained. This brewing process results in a less acidic, smooth coffee that is then served cold, over ice. It can be made concentrated and then combined with water to the desired strength.
Iced Coffee is when coffee is traditionally brewed with hot water and poured over ice. Iced coffee does not inherently eliminate the acidity that comes from hot brewed coffee, as the cold brew method does. However, it does have more of the nuances that result from hot brewing coffee.
STEPS FOR MAKING COLD BREW AT HOME
Preparing cold brew at home is a super simple process that doesn’t require any fancy equipment. You can venture out and buy equipment (like a coffee bean grinder) to make the process even easier and if you’re the kind of person who likes to get technical, have complete control and precision.
I’ll walk you through each step of the process, including the various options regarding equipment and what you can use that you likely already have at home. Let’s get to brewing!
COARSELY GRIND THE COFFEE BEANS
Using freshly ground coffee beans for any type of coffee absolutely ups your game. It delivers the best flavor regardless of how you’re brewing it. You do not want to buy preground coffee from the grocery store to make cold brew. Preground coffee is finely ground and ideal for coffee machines, not for cold steeping.
For cold brew, you need coarsely ground coffee. If you have a coffee grinder at home, set it on the coarsest setting – usually the one designated for French Press coffee.
COMBINE WITH COLD WATER
Once the beans are ground, it’s time to combine them with water (photo 1). There are several ways to go about this, depending on what you have available to you at home.
The most important part is finding a vessel that is large enough to hold the beans and water at the ratio you choose (more on that in a minute).
- I like using a quart-sized wide-mouth mason jar to brew my cold brew. It does hold a little less water than I’d like for the perfect ratio, but it’s super convenient.
- You can also use a large quart glass measuring cup, bowl, or pitcher.
- Another option you might have is to use a French Press. Then, when it’s time to strain, you simply have to press down on the filter.
Pour the water over the grinds in whichever vessel you choose, ensuring the grounds are all wet (photo 2). You can also use a spoon to gently press the grounds down once you’ve added the water to ensure they are thoroughly wet (photo 3).
COVER AND STEEP
Now it’s time to let time work its magic. Cover the jar, pitcher, or whatever you used, with a lid or plastic wrap (ok, even better, break out the bees wrap for a more eco-friendly option). Then place it on the counter or in the fridge and let it steep for 12 to 24 hours (photo 4).
How long it steeps is going to ultimately be about personal preference and your own schedule. I find that right around 18 hours is the sweet spot for me; the coffee has had time to fully brew and is rich, bold, and smooth.
If you let the coffee steep for any less time, it can seem watered down; the longer you steep it, you run the risk of it becoming slightly more acidic. However, if this happens, I find you can use it as more of a concentrate and add more water to balance it out.
STRAIN THE COFFEE
WHAT IS THE PERFECT RATIO OF BEANS TO WATER?
I find that a ratio of 1:4 for grounds to water is the perfect ratio for making cold brew. For me, this typically looks like 1 cup of beans, ground, to 4 cups of water. This ratio can be used in any amount – 2 cups grounds to 8 cups water, etc.