Cold Brew Brewing Guide

June 4, 2024

Topics: Brewing Guide Cold Brew

Cold Brew Guide

Equipment and Ingredients

Large jar or pitcher (at least 1-quart capacity) or Cold Brew Pitcher
Coffee filter, cheesecloth, or a fine-mesh sieve or Cold Brew Pitcher
AeroPress paper filter (or metal filter, if preferred)
Coffee beans (freshly roasted) or Coarse Ground Coffee
Grinder (if grinding your own)
A storage container
Digital scale (optional but recommended for accuracy)
Spoon or stirring tool
Water (filtered)
Mug or Cup
1 cup (about 85 grams) of coarsely ground coffee
4 cups (about 1 litre) of cold, filtered water

1. Measure the Coffee

Use a scale to measure out 1 cup (85 grams) of coarsely ground coffee.
If you don’t have a scale, 1 cup of whole coffee beans, ground coarsely, should suffice.

2. Combine Coffee and Water

In a large jar or pitcher, add the coarsely ground coffee.
Pour 4 cups (1 litre) of cold, filtered water over the coffee grounds.
Stir gently to ensure all the coffee grounds are fully saturated with water.

3. Steep the Coffee

Cover the jar or pitcher with a lid or plastic wrap.
Let the coffee steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. The longer the steeping time, the stronger the coffee will be.

4. Strain the Coffee

After steeping, strain the coffee to remove the grounds.
If using a coffee filter or cheesecloth, place it over another jar or pitcher and slowly pour the coffee through.
If using a fine-mesh sieve, pour the coffee through the sieve into another container. You may need to strain it twice to remove all the grounds and fine particles.

5. Store the Cold Brew

Transfer the strained cold brew concentrate to a clean storage container or bottle.
Store it in the fridge. It will keep for up to two weeks, though it’s best within the first week for optimal flavour.

6. Serve & Enjoy

Cold brew is typically stronger than regular coffee, so you may want to dilute it with water or milk before drinking. Start with a 1:1 ratio of cold brew concentrate to water or milk and adjust to taste.
Pour the cold brew over ice and enjoy!

Tips for Optimization

Adjusting Strength: If you prefer a stronger or weaker brew, adjust the coffee-to-water ratio. For a stronger brew, use more coffee grounds or steep for a longer period.

For a milder brew: Use fewer grounds or steep for a shorter period.

Flavour Variations: You can add flavourings like vanilla extract, cinnamon, or a sweetener to the cold brew during the steeping process or before serving.

Serving Ideas: Cold brew can be enjoyed black, with milk or cream, sweetened with syrup, or even as a base for coffee cocktails.