How To - Cold Brew

Things you need:

  • Coarsely ground coffee beans (medium to dark roast): 1 cup
  • Cold or room temperature water: 4 cups
  • Jar or pitcher
  • Stirring utensil
  • Fine mesh sieve or coffee filter
  • Cheesecloth or paper towel (optional)

Method:

  1. Grind the Coffee:

    • Measure 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee beans. The grind size should be similar to breadcrumbs or slightly coarser than table salt.

  2. Combine Coffee and Water:

    • In a large jar or pitcher, add the coarsely ground coffee.
    • Pour in 4 cups of cold or room temperature water.

  3. Stir:

    • Stir the coffee and water mixture thoroughly to ensure all the coffee grounds are fully saturated.

  4. Cover and Steep:

    • Cover the jar or pitcher with a lid or plastic wrap to prevent any contaminants from entering.
    • Place the container in the refrigerator for steeping. Allow it to steep for at least 12 to 24 hours. For a stronger brew, you can extend the steeping time.

  5. Strain the Coffee:

    • After the steeping period, use a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter to strain the cold brew and separate the liquid from the coffee grounds.
    • If you want an even smoother result, you can use cheesecloth or a paper towel as an additional filter. You may need to strain it in batches.

  6. Optional Second Strain (Optional):

    • If there are still fine particles, strain the coffee again using a finer filter or cheesecloth to achieve a cleaner brew.

  7. Serve and Dilute:

    • Dilute the concentrated cold brew with water or milk to your preferred strength. A common ratio is 1 part cold brew to 1-2 parts water or milk, but adjust according to your taste.
    • Add ice cubes if desired.

  8. Optional Additions:

    • Customize your cold brew with sweeteners like simple syrup, flavored syrups, or condensed milk.
    • Experiment with different types of milk or non-dairy alternatives.
    • Garnish with a slice of orange, lemon, or a sprig of mint for extra flavor.

  9. Store:

    • Transfer any leftover cold brew to a sealed container and store it in the refrigerator. Cold brew can last for several days, and some people find that it even improves in flavor over time.

  10. Enjoy:

    • Your homemade cold brew coffee is ready! Sip, savor, and enjoy the smooth and rich flavors of your cold brew.

Remember, cold brew is a versatile base that you can customize to your liking, so feel free to experiment with ratios and flavor additions.