In our last blog post, we discussed the differences between iced coffee and cold brew; now, we want to share the best tips and tricks for making cold brew at home. Making delicious cold brew can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. This brewing method requires patience; however, waiting is the hardest part of these instructions. Let’s make some cold brew!
So, What Is Cold Brew?
Cold brew coffee is made by steeping ground coffee in water for several hours at a cold or room temperature. This method uses time instead of temperature for coffee extraction. Cold brew should steep for at least 12 hours, with the typical brew time being 18 to 24 hours. The grounds are then filtered out, leaving you with coffee to be served over ice.
STEP 1: Start With the Coffee Beans
Coffee that tends to work best for cold brew is a full-bodied, medium-to-dark roast with nutty, chocolaty, or caramel notes. After your coffee selection, you’ll want to grind your coffee beans coarsely. You can use a coffee grinder or buy coarsely ground coffee beans—the fresher, the better.
STEP 2: Steep the Coffee Grounds
As with all brewing methods, you’ll need to determine a brew ratio for your coffee. The ratio of water to coffee will change based on your desired results. A good starting coffee-to-water ratio would be 1:8. If you are looking for a more potent cold brew, using a ratio of 1:4 will be a great option.
Next, add the coffee grounds and cold water into your brewing vessel. You don’t need any special equipment as any sealable vessel will work, though many people prefer using mason jars. Just be sure all your coffee is wet. To avoid dry pockets, slowly add water to the grounds and stir with a spoon as you pour.
Place your jar in the fridge and let your coffee steep for at least 12 to 24 hours. Remember that the longer your coffee steeps, the stronger your cold brew will be.
STEP 3: Strain the Coffee
Finally, it’s time to filter out the grounds after allowing your coffee to brew. Depending on your texture preference, your method of filtration may differ. Many opt for paper coffee filters to achieve more clarity and freshness in flavor. If you want your cold brew to have more texture and weight, a good option would be using a cheesecloth as more solids and oils will be let through. Once the grounds are strained, we are left with a cold brew concentrate.
STEP 4: Serve Your Cold Brew
Now the last step is diluting the cold brew concentrate. Most people prefer to enjoy their cold brews with a concentrate-to-water ratio of 2:1 or 1:1. For stronger coffee, use the 2:1 dilution ratio. You can dilute the cold brew concentrate with water, but you can also use milk, ice, or a combination of these.
Now all you have to do is sit back and enjoy your delicious cup of cold brew!