The Ultimate Guide to Cold Brew Coffee

So, you want to enjoy a refreshing, smooth, and low-acidic brew, huh? Great! Cold brew coffee might be your new favorite drink. And yes, you don’t have to spend exorbitant amounts of money buying it from a ubiquitous worldwide coffee chain that shall not be named (you know who we are talking about). Instead of taking out a small loan to fund your cold brew addiction, you can make cold brew coffee at home for a fraction of the cost.

That’s why we wrote this blog post, which gives you a step-by-step guide on how to make cold brew coffee at home. You can even wear PJs while you do it. 

What is Cold Brew Coffee Anyway?

What is cold brew coffee? Great question. Cold brew is a coffee brewing method that involves steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for an extended period, usually 12 to 24 hours. This slow extraction process helps to reduce the acidic and bitter tasting notes sometimes found in coffee brewed by other, more traditional, hot-brewing methods. So, if you are looking for a coffee brewing process that yields a delicious, smooth coffee concentrate that you can dilute with hot or cold water or milk, cold brew is for you!

 

What you need to get started 

• Coffee grinder
• Coarsely ground coffee beans (ideally, freshly roasted from you-know-who) 
• Filtered water
• A large jar, pitcher, or even a French press. 
• A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
• Optional: milk, sweeteners, and other flavorings 

How to make cold brew at home

Step 1: Measure your coffee

We suggest using a 1:2 - 1:3 coffee-to-water ratio by weight. If you're in a hurry and don't feel like using a scale to weigh your coffee and water, try using ~1 cup of ground coffee for every 3 cups of filtered water.  

Step 2: Grind your coffee

Coarsely grind your coffee beans. They should have the texture of fine bread crumbs. This grind level will prevent the coffee from becoming over-extracted. If your coffee is pre-ground, don’t worry. It’s not the end of the world. You may have to experiment with the amount of time time you brew your coffee (Stay tuned for our upcoming blog post on coffee extraction!)

Step 3: Mix the coffee and water 

Add the coffee grounds to a large jar or pitcher and pour in your filtered water. Stir to make sure all the grounds are wet. 

Step 4: Let it steep

This step is the hardest because you have to wait 24 hours before drinking your delicious cold brew! Suggested activities while waiting: sleeping, reading research articles, playing racquetball, or finishing that email you started yesterday.

Suggested activities while waiting for your coffee to cold brew include: sleeping, reading research articles, playing racquetball, or finishing that email you started yesterday.  

Step 5: Strain the coffee

After waiting 24 hours, strain the coffee through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the grounds. If using a French press, press the plunger down to separate the grounds from the coffee.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy

That was easy, huh? You can drink your cold brew coffee as is, dilute it with filtered water, add milk, or make a delicious cold foam to pour on top. The choices are minorly overwhelming. 

Tips for Making the Best Cold Brew 

• Use high-quality coffee beans for the best flavor.
• Use a coarse grind to ensure that the coffee grounds do not escape through the sieve.
• Experiment with the coffee to water ratio and steeping time to find your preferred strength and flavor.
• Store your cold brew in a sealed container in the fridge to maintain its freshness and flavor. It should be good for ~ 2 weeks. 
• Don't be afraid to get creative with your flavorings. Vanilla, cinnamon, and even citrus can be delicious in cold brew coffee. 

Final Thoughts 

There you have it. With a few simple steps, you can create your cold brew coffee at home and customize it to your liking. So, grab your favorite coffee beans, activate your new cold brew coffee know-how, and enjoy a refreshingly smooth coffee courtesy of Lab Fuel.