Start your day off right with a delicious cup of homemade Cold Brew Coffee! With a few simple steps, you can enjoy a cold, smooth, and refreshing cup of coffee all summer long without breaking the bank!
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Are you tired of paying a fortune for your favorite cold brew coffee at your local coffee shop? Well, I've got good news for you!
You can make your own cold brew at home for a fraction of the cost and still enjoy that extra smooth taste coffee lovers crave.
This cold brew recipe uses a French press coffee maker, making it the easiest way to achieve cafe-quality cold brew in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Not only will you save money, but you'll also enjoy a less acidic and remarkably smooth flavor you will love.
So, why settle for overpriced iced coffee when you can become a cold brew fan? Say goodbye to long coffee shop lines and hello to the convenience and satisfaction of brewing your own perfectly concentrated cold brew.
Cheers to a summer filled with the best iced coffee you've ever tasted!
And after you make this cold brew, make Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew next!
If you like this recipe, check out my quick and easy 5-minute recipe, How To Make Delicious Iced Coffee At Home, and my Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso!
Jump to:
- ☕ What Is Cold Brew Coffee?
- ❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe
- ☕ Ingredient Notes + Substitutions
- ☕ How To Make Cold Brew Coffee Using A French Press
- ☕ How To Serve Cold Brew Concentrate
- ☕ Can I Make Cold Brew Without A French Press?
- 💭 Expert Tips:
- ❓ Recipe FAQs
- ☕ More Homemade Coffee Recipes
- 📋 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
☕ What Is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee is a brewing method that involves steeping coffee grounds in cold or room temperature water over an extended period, usually around 12 to 24 hours.
Unlike traditional hot coffee brewing methods, cold brew does not involve heat. Instead, the slow steeping process allows the coffee grounds to release their flavors and compounds, resulting in a smooth, less acidic, and flavorful coffee concentrate.
The cold brew method uses a higher coffee-to-water ratio and a coarser grind size than hot brewing methods. In addition, the longer steeping time allows for a gentle extraction process, resulting in a concentrated cold brew coffee enjoyed over ice or diluted with water or milk to your desired strength.
They now have a cold brew coffee maker available, but I am happy to make it in my French press.
❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Smooth and Rich Flavor - Cold brew coffee is less bitter and has a smoother taste than regular coffee.
- Easy to Make - The recipe is simple, and the brewing process is easy to follow. No special equipment is required - use a pitcher or container if that's what you have!
- Cost-effective - Making cold brew at home is much cheaper than buying it at a coffee shop. You can easily make a large batch of cold brew for a fraction of the cost of a single cup at a cafe.
- Long-Lasting - This cold brew mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, so you can make a large batch and enjoy it over several days without making a fresh batch every time.
- Low acidity: Cold brew coffee is less acidic than hot brewed coffee, which makes it easier on your stomach, especially for those who experience acid reflux or heartburn after drinking hot coffee.
- Versatile: Once you've made your cold brew coffee concentrate, you can enjoy it in many different ways. It can be consumed over ice, mixed with milk or creamers, used as a base for iced lattes or frappuccinos, and even added to cocktails.
☕ Ingredient Notes + Substitutions
Only two ingredients are required for this delicious coffee recipe.
- Coffee beans. In my experience, the best coffee beans for cold brew are medium to dark roast coffee beans that are coarsely ground. However, light roast coffee beans are a great option if you prefer a less robust flavor. Ground coffee loses its freshness quickly, so it's best to grind your beans right before brewing. If you don't have a grinder, you can use ground coffee; just make sure it is at least medium ground and preferably coarse ground.
- Water. Always use cold, filtered water or bottled water. Tap water can contain impurities and affect the taste of the coffee. Filtered water will ensure that the coffee has a clean and refreshing taste. If you don't have filtered water, you can boil tap water and let it cool down before using it. Never use hot water, as it can lead to a bitter taste.
See the printable recipe card for exact measurements and a full list of ingredients.
☕ How To Make Cold Brew Coffee Using A French Press
First, coarsely grind 1 cup of coffee beans. It doesn't take long, only 4-5 seconds in a coffee grinder.
Next, place the coarsely ground coffee in a large French press. Next, add 4 cups of cold, filtered water.
Stir well to ensure that all the coffee is wet. Place the plunger lid on top of the French press, but do not push it down.
Place the French press in the refrigerator and let the coffee steep for at least 12 hours or overnight. For a stronger flavor, you can steep it up to 24 hours.
Tip: For your first time, I recommend steeping it for 12 hours - you can always increase it next time if you would like it stronger.
After 12 hours, slowly press down on the French press plunger to separate the coffee grounds from the liquid. You only need to press it down about 3 inches. Be careful not to push the plunger all the way down, as this may cause the coffee to become bitter.
Pour the cold brew coffee concentrate into a clean container, pitcher, or large mason jar.
Here's a handy trick for an extra smooth and grit-free cold brew: Rinse the French press coffee pot, add back in the cold brew concentrate, press the plunger all the way down, and transfer the coffee back to the rinsed mason jar. This simple step guarantees a crystal-clear brew with no unwanted sediment.
Now you will have clear, smooth, delicious cold brew concentrate ready to make delicious coffee drinks. Screw a lid on the jar and store the coffee concentrate in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
To serve, you must dilute the cold brew concentrate to achieve your desired strength. A general guideline is to use a 1:1 ratio of cold brew concentrate to water or milk. However, feel free to adjust the ratio based on your preference, whether you like it stronger or milder.
☕ How To Serve Cold Brew Concentrate
- Begin by adding a handful of ice cubes to a tall glass.
- Pour the desired amount of cold brew concentrate over the ice cubes.
- Add an equal amount of water or milk to the glass, depending on your preference. This will balance the strong flavor of the concentrate and create a smooth and refreshing cold brew. Add any other optional add-ins, such as vanilla simple syrup, sugar, maple syrup, or honey.
- Stir gently to combine the ingredients.
- Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Note: This recipe yields approximately four cups of cold brew concentrate, making eight cups of coffee when diluted with water. You can adjust the amount of coffee and water used to make a larger or smaller batch.
☕ Can I Make Cold Brew Without A French Press?
Yes! You can easily make homemade cold brew without a French press. You can also use a large mason jar or a pitcher. To make it in a mason jar, follow the step-by-step instructions:
- In a large mason jar, pitcher, or large container, mix together 1 cup coarse-grind coffee beans and 4 cups water.
- Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours.
- Strain the coffee through a fine mesh strainer or paper filter to remove the grounds.
- Serve over ice, and enjoy!
💭 Expert Tips:
- Use freshly ground coffee beans: The quality and freshness of your coffee beans will affect the taste of your cold brew. For best results, use freshly ground coffee beans.
- Grind coffee beans coarsely: Coarsely ground coffee beans are essential for making cold brew coffee. This ensures that the coffee doesn't become too bitter.
- Use cold, filtered water: It is important so it has a clean and refreshing taste and helps reduce acidity.
- Steep the coffee for 12-24 hours: Cold brew coffee should be steeped for at least 12 hours, but you can also let it steep for up to 24 hours for a stronger flavor.
- Use a French press or large jar: A French press or large jar is ideal for making cold brew coffee, allowing the coffee to steep evenly. The French press is the easiest method; you don't need to strain the coffee through a filter.
- Strain the coffee thoroughly: Strain the coffee concentrate thoroughly if you use a mason jar or pitcher - this will remove the leftover coffee grounds. You can use a fine-mesh strainer, a cheesecloth, or a coffee filter to achieve this.
- Store the cold brew coffee in the refrigerator: Once you've made your coffee concentrate, store it in a clean container or jar. This will keep it fresh for up to two weeks.
- Experiment with add-ins: Cold brew coffee is versatile and can be enjoyed with various add-ins such as sweeteners or milk. You can use half-and-half, whole milk, 2% milk, oat milk, almond milk, or oat milk. Experiment with different flavors to find your favorite combination.
❓ Recipe FAQs
Cold brew coffee should be steeped for at least 12 hours, but you can also let it steep for up to 24 hours. The longer it steeps the stronger the flavor will be.
Use freshly ground coffee beans for the best results - just make sure they are coarsely ground. Your favorite brand of coffee is probably the best choice.
No, you can use any container that has a lid or cover. However, using a French press is the easiest method as you don't have to strain the coffee through a cheesecloth or paper filter.
No, using cold water is important for making cold-brew coffee. Hot or warm water can cause the coffee to become bitter and over-extracted.
You can store cold brew coffee concentrate in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. This means you can make a large batch and have it ready to drink anytime you want without worrying about it going bad.
☕ More Homemade Coffee Recipes
Calling all coffee lovers! This straightforward recipe is a must-try for those craving a home-brewed coffee with a smooth and velvety flavor profile. It's a wallet-friendly option that guarantees a smooth and rich-tasting experience. Say goodbye to expensive coffee runs, and hello to homemade perfection!
If you like this post on How To Make Cold Brew Coffee at home, please take a moment to rate the recipe 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and leave a comment below with your thoughts!
📋 Recipe
How To Make Cold Brew Coffee At Home In A French Press
Equipment
- French Press Coffee Maker or Large mason jar, pitcher, or container
Ingredients
- 1 cup coffee beans
- 4 cups water filtered
Instructions
How To Make Cold Brew Concentrate
- First, coarsely grind 1 cup of coffee beans. It doesn't take long, only 4-5 seconds in a coffee grinder.
- Place the coarsely ground coffee in a large French press and add 4 cups of cold, filtered water.
- Stir well to ensure that all the coffee is wet. Place the plunger lid on top of the French press, but do not push it down.
- Place the French press in the refrigerator and let the coffee steep for at least 12 hours or overnight. For a stronger flavor, you can steep it up to 24 hours. Tip: For your first time, I recommend steeping it for 12 hours - you can always increase it next time if you would like it stronger.
- After 12 hours, slowly press down on the French press plunger to separate the coffee grounds from the liquid. You only need to press it down about 3 inches.
- Pour the cold brew coffee concentrate into a clean container, pitcher, or large mason jar.
- Here's a handy trick for an extra smooth and grit-free cold brew: Rinse the French press coffee pot, add back in the cold brew concentrate, press the plunger all the way down, and transfer the coffee back to the rinsed mason jar. This simple step guarantees a crystal-clear brew with no unwanted sediment.
- Now you will have clear, smooth, delicious cold brew concentrate ready to make delicious coffee drinks. Screw a lid on the jar and store the coffee concentrate in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- To serve, you must dilute the cold brew concentrate to achieve your desired strength. A general guideline is to use a 1:1 ratio of cold brew concentrate to water or milk. However, feel free to adjust the ratio based on your preference, whether you like it stronger or milder.
How To Serve Cold Brew Concentrate
- Begin by adding a handful of ice cubes to a tall glass.
- Pour the desired amount of cold brew concentrate over the ice cubes.
- Add an equal amount of water or milk to the glass, depending on your preference. This will balance the strong flavor of the concentrate and create a smooth and refreshing cold brew. Add any other optional add-ins you like.
- Stir gently to combine the ingredients.
- Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Notes
- Use freshly ground coffee beans: The quality and freshness of your coffee beans will affect the taste of your cold brew. For best results, use freshly ground coffee beans.
- Grind coffee beans coarsely: Coarsely ground coffee beans are essential for making cold brew coffee. This ensures that the coffee doesn't become too bitter.
- Use cold, filtered water: It is important so it has a clean and refreshing taste and helps reduce acidity.
- Steep the coffee for 12-24 hours: Cold brew coffee should be steeped for at least 12 hours, but you can also let it steep for up to 24 hours for a stronger flavor.
- Use a French press or large jar: A French press or large jar is ideal for making cold brew coffee, allowing the coffee to steep evenly. The French press is the easiest method; you don't need to strain the coffee through a filter.
- Strain the coffee thoroughly: Strain the coffee concentrate thoroughly if you use a mason jar or pitcher - this will remove the leftover coffee grounds. You can use a fine-mesh strainer, a cheesecloth, or a coffee filter to achieve this.
- Store the cold brew coffee in the refrigerator: Once you've made your coffee concentrate, store it in a clean container or jar. This will keep it fresh for up to two weeks.
- Experiment with add-ins: Cold brew coffee is versatile and can be enjoyed with various add-ins such as sweeteners or milk. You can use half-and-half, whole milk, 2% milk, oat milk, almond milk, or oat milk. Experiment with different flavors to find your favorite combination.
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