How to make Cold Brew at home?

Cold brew is fast becoming a popular coffee brewing at home. On top of the ease of preparation, cold brew is a smooth and low acid coffee beverage that is perfect for summer weather. It can also be stored in the fridge without losing flavour, which makes it a convenient choice for on-the-go drinking.

>> Also read: Best Espresso Machines under $200

There are a few ways to make cold brew coffee at home. Generally, the process involves steeping coffee grounds in water for an extended period of time. This allows for gradual extraction of flavour and caffeine, resulting in a balanced cup of joe.

In this guide, we’ll share some of the most popular methods, along with the steps needed and the coffee to water ratio required.

Method 1: Cold Brew Coffee Maker

The most obvious way of making cold brew at home is the use of a Cold Brew Coffee Maker. Most cold brew makers are designed for your easy loading of ground coffee and easy disposal after. A good cold brew maker also has a fine mesh filter that securely keeps ground out of the cold brew coffee.

The best thing about using a delicate cold brew maker as compared to other alternative methods is that you can simply remove and dispose of the used grounds without having to transfer the cold brew out before storing in the fridge for future use and consumption.

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Method 2: The French Press

If you already have a French press lying around at home, then there really is no need to purchase a cold brew coffee maker as French Press is a great alternative when it comes to DIY cold brew at home.

>> Related: Best Travel French Press

  1. Grind your coffee beans to a medium-fine consistency/ or just use off the shelf ground coffee.
  2. Pour the ground coffee into the French press.
  3. Pour in cold/ room temperature water, making sure to saturate all of the grounds.
  4. Put the plunger lid on top and give it a few gentle presses to ensure all of the grounds are wet.
  5. Let steep at room temperature or in the fridge (refer to steep duration segment below for guide on how long to steep)
  6. Slowly depress the plunger to the bottom until it barely touches the grounds, pour the extracted cold brew into a glass, jar, or container, and store it in the fridge.
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Method 3: The Mason Jar

This is another cold brew making method if you do not have a french press at home. You’ll need a mason jar, coffee beans, water, and a fine-mesh strainer.

  1. Grind the coffee beans of choice to a medium-fine consistency or use any ground coffee
  2. Add the ground coffee to the mason jar.
  3. Pour in cold/ room temperature water, making sure to saturate all of the grounds.
  4. Place the lid on top and stir well to combine the ingredients.
  5. Let steep (refer to steep duration segment below for guide on how long to steep).
  6. Carefully pour off the liquid into a glass, using the mesh strainer to catch the grounds.
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Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to ratios and sleeping duration.

Coffee to Water Ratio for Cold Brew

Depending on how strong you want your cold brew to taste, the ratio of water to coffee can range from 1:8 to stronger ratio like 1:4 or even 1:2.  We personally like to use a coffee to water ratio of around 1:5 for an evenly-balanced concentrate. Be sure to try around and adjust according to your own taste.

>> Also read: Best Ground Coffee

Steeping Duration for Cold Brew

Generally, anything within 14-20 works. Personally, we prefer the cold brew extracted from 16 to 18 hours of steep time. Avoid going past 24 hour or your cold brew could result in some undesired woody notes. If you are going for a stronger profile, consider reducing the coffee to water ratio or dilute littler when preparing the final drink.

Cold Brew Extraction

If you are using a cold brew maker, simply dispose of the used grounds after steeping. Do not attempt to squeeze out more coffee from the grounds or you will end up extracting the powdery residue. Likewise for method two and three above, avoid pressing the french press all the way down. You should stop when the french press comes in contact with the ground.

Ways to Enjoy Cold Drew:

  • Drinking the cold brew as it is.
  • Over ice is also a favourite way to enjoy cold brew.
  • Some popular mix-ins include vanilla extract, chocolate syrup, simple syrup (if you like your coffee on the sweeter side), lime juice (for a citrusy kick) or milk.
  • Elevate your cold brew as a latte (aka cold brew white) with a dollop of frothed milk for a delicious latte.

Final Thoughts

Cold brew is a delicious and refreshing way to start your day or cool down in the summer heat. Brewing your own batch is easy and very affordable (especially when compared to cold brews sold in cafes), and you have the option to brew and customise to your liking.

>> Also read: Best Organic Coffee

Cheers!

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