Cold Brew Coffee Guide
What You'll Need
- Large jar, pitcher, or dedicated cold brew maker (1-2 liter capacity)
- Coffee grinder (capable of coarse grinds)
- Filtration system: paper filters, cheesecloth, or fine-mesh strainer
- Freshly roasted coffee beans (medium to dark roast recommended)
- Filtered water
- Digital scale
- Stirring utensil
- Storage container for concentrate
Standard Cold Brew Recipe
- Coffee: 250g
- Water: 1250g
- Ratio: 1:5
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Grind 250g of coffee beans to a coarse consistency (similar to raw sugar or sea salt).
- Place the ground coffee in your brewing container.
- Add 1250g (1.25 liters) of cold, filtered water to the container.
- Gently stir to ensure all the coffee grounds are saturated with water.
- Cover the container and place it in the refrigerator.
- Steep for 12-24 hours (12 hours for lighter flavor, 24 hours for stronger flavor).
- After steeping, strain the coffee concentrate through a fine-mesh strainer to remove larger particles.
- For a cleaner brew, line the strainer with a paper filter or cheesecloth and strain again.
- Store your cold brew concentrate in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- When serving, dilute the concentrate with water, milk, or ice at a 1:1 ratio (or to taste).
Brewing Methods Comparison
| Method | Equipment | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immersion Method | Large jar or pitcher | - Simple to execute - No special equipment - Consistent results | - Can be messy to filter - Requires more coffee |
| Toddy Method | Toddy brewer or similar system | - Easy filtration - Cleaner result - Reusable filter | - Special equipment needed - Higher initial cost |
| Cold Drip Method | Cold drip tower | - Elegant process - Higher clarity - Different flavor profile | - Expensive equipment - Complex setup - Requires more monitoring |
Factors Affecting Cold Brew Quality
- Grind Size: Coarse grind is ideal for cold brew. Too fine: muddy, over-extracted coffee. Too coarse: weak, under-developed flavor.
- Coffee-to-Water Ratio: Affects strength and concentration.
- Stronger concentrate (1:4): More intense, can be diluted more
- Standard concentrate (1:5): Balanced, versatile
- Lighter concentrate (1:7): Ready to drink with minimal dilution
- Steeping Time: Longer steeping times extract more compounds but can increase bitterness.
- 12 hours: Lighter, more subtle flavors
- 16-18 hours: Balanced extraction (ideal for most beans)
- 24 hours: Fuller extraction, stronger flavor
- Water Quality: Use filtered water for the cleanest taste.
- Coffee Freshness: Use beans within 1-3 weeks of roast date for optimal flavor.
- Brewing Temperature: Room temperature vs. refrigerated brewing affects extraction rate and flavor profile.
Cold Brew Recipe Variations
- Ready-to-Drink Cold Brew: Use a 1:7 coffee-to-water ratio (150g coffee to 1050g water) and steep for 16 hours. This creates a less concentrated brew that can be enjoyed without dilution.
- Extra-Strong Concentrate: Use a 1:4 ratio (250g coffee to 1000g water) and steep for 24 hours. Dilute 1:2 or more when serving.
- Cold Brew with Spices: Add cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, or vanilla bean to the grounds before brewing for infused flavors.
- Japanese-Style Flash Brew: Brew hot coffee at double strength, then immediately pour over ice to rapidly cool (not true cold brew, but a refreshing alternative).
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Cold Brew: Dilute concentrate 1:1 with water, serve over ice with optional splash of cream.
- Cold Brew Latte: Mix 1 part concentrate with 2 parts milk of choice, serve over ice.
- Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew: Top cold brew with a mixture of heavy cream, vanilla extract, and simple syrup.
- Cold Brew Tonic: Pour cold brew concentrate over ice and add tonic water with a slice of lemon or orange.