Did you know you can make Cold Brew Coffee at home in less than five minutes hands on time? In this tutorial, I share how to make cold brew coffee at home using a French press or paper filter system. You may have everything you need to make a batch! I’ve included all my tip and the cold brew coffee ratio I use to make the best cold brew concentrate recipe. [ watch recipe VIDEO on recipe card below ]
Worth the Fuss
I get it. During the coldest of months having a piping hot cup of jo in hand is like putting on your comfy socks and snuggling up on the couch with your favorite blanket. But in the warmer months, a cold brew latte is like diving into a cool swimming pool and an enjoyable way to refresh in the afternoon. Do you have a seasonal preference?
Understanding why cold brew coffee is such a big deal takes some comparison. Have a cup of your hot morning brew. Then, drink an ice-cold glass of homemade cold brew sweetened with your favorite sweetener and cut with your milk of choice, water or simply without any additions. You’ll notice differences in flavor, richness and smooooth right away.
One of the best things about making cold brew concentrate at home is you can brew to your specifications. Make cold brew that’ll curl your toes or one that’s more mellow; you’ll soon find the cold brew ratio that fits your tastes.
Cold Brew Coffee Using a French Press vs Coffee Filter
These two methods are the most approachable for home brewed cold brew simply because they don’t require specialized equipment. You may already have everything you need at home!
French Press Cold Brew Coffee
My preferred method because it’s waste free and I don’t have to buy anything but coffee to make it. It has limitations because a French press only holds three cups of water, but I find it the tidiest and no-waste way to make cold brew at home.
The coffee beans for cold brew should be ground coarse. You can use a commercial coffee grinder at the store, or use a burr grinder at home to get it to just the right grind.
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Coffee Filter Cold Brew Coffee
Cold Brew Coffee to Water Ratio
Cold brew, like hot brew, can be made to preference. Several cold brew coffee ratios are out there, but after testing different ratios, I’ve found what I like best. This is something you can play with and adjust, but my best cold brew coffee ratio is:
one part coffee to four parts water
This ratio produces a homemade cold brew coffee concentrate which then can be used to make cold brew iced coffee. This cold brew concentrate can be cut with water, or milk du jour and sweetener of choice or enjoy it straight.
Customize Your Cold Brew Coffee
There are many ways to enjoy cold brew. Here are some favorites:
- Make an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte!
- Stir in your favorite milk du jour for a cold brew iced coffee. I use homemade cashew milk.
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for an iced vanilla cold brew latte.
- Add 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract for an iced almond cold brew latte (almond extract can be strong, so adjust to taste).
- Pour cold brew over ice cream for a cold brew affogato – OMG (!!)
- Make cold brew ice cubes so your cold brew doesn’t get watered down.
Delicious Everyday Cold Brew Coffee
Equipment
- Burr Grinder optional for grinding coffee at home
- Spouted Glass Cup for paper filter method
- Paper Coffee Filters or a Reusable Basket Filter, for paper filter method
- Fine Strainer for paper filter method
Ingredients
- 3/4 C (70g) Coarse Ground Coffee
- 3 C (610g) Water room temperature or cold
Instructions
French Press Method:
- In the French press container add the coffee grounds and pour filtered water over the grounds. Lid the French press and gently press the plunger slightly, just to submerge the grounds so they are all below the surface of the water – yet still at the top of the press. No need to stir.Set at room temperature over night or for about 12-14 hours.
- Then, use the plunger to s l o w l y press the grounds through the water.
- Discard coffee grounds in your compost bin or garden and transfer the cold brew to a mason jar or glass carafe.
Strainer and Paper Filter Method:
- In a one quart (or one Liter) container add the coffee grounds and pour filtered water over the grounds. Gently, using the back of a spoon, submerge the grounds just so they are all below the surface of the water. No need to stir.Lid the container and set at room temperature over night or for about 12-14 hours.
- Then, set a fine mesh strainer over a spouted container and insert a coffee filter. You can use a nut bag here or a reusable stainless steel filter for no waste if you like (see resources above). Give the coffee a stir, then pour the coffee and grounds into the filter allowing the filter to capture the grounds and strain into the spouted container. Use a spatula if needed to gently press the coffee through the strainer. If using a paper filter, be careful here as it can easily tear. You may need to double up.
- Discard the filter and coffee grounds in your compost bin or garden/flower beds and transfer the cold brew to a mason jar or glass carafe.
Storage:
- Store the cold brew coffee for up to a week in the refrigerator.
For an Iced Cold Brew Latte:
- Enjoy cold brew over ice. Cut it with water or milk of choice (I like homemade cashew milk) and sweeten it with maple or simple syrup (see notes to DIY) if desired to taste. See "variations" in the blog post for more ideas!
hello. looks yummy!! when making to drink, what ratio of water/milk to cold brew concentrate do we use? thanks!
Hi Cherie! Thank you ☺️ It really depends on taste. I generally start with a 16 ounce glass, pack it with ice, then fill it 1/2 to 2/3 full with cold brew. Top with water or milk. The cold brew is strong, so how much water or milk you add will depend on how strong you prefer your cold brew coffee. So, the ratio can be 1:1 or 1:2 or to taste.
Cold Brew is so delicious and the mouth feel is so silky and its less acidic! But a local coffee company rep at a Farmers Market shared a great no waste method with me. I used a muslin bag with a draw string closure. Get a pitcher with a handle, hook the drawstring over the handle and suspended inside the pitcher and let the bagged coffee sit for 12 hours. I just let the bag dry out a little then compost the used grounds and rinse the muslin bag. I throw it in the washing machine ever few uses.
Hi Linda! Thank you for sharing your tips with us. What a great idea! This too is why I like using the french press… hardly any clean up and no waste. But with your method, I could brew way more! I’m thinking a nut milk strainer bag would work too. Thank you again!
Great tutorial! I’m in need of caffeine now as I’m at a 4 day music festival and it’s not as easy staying up late to catch all the bands as it used to be! Having fun trying though! Cheers to a good cold brew coffee, Traci!