Cold Brew Coffee: What It Is and How to Make It at Home

Cold Brew coffee is a method of brewing coffee using cold water. Unlike traditional methods, it involves steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for several hours without applying any heat.

Not all cold coffee drinks are considered Cold Brew. You can brew a filter coffee or espresso using hot water and then cool it down, but that’s not true Cold Brew, it doesn’t use the cold infusion technique.

Cold Brew coffee has become increasingly popular and is now available at many specialty coffee shops. The good news is, it’s also incredibly easy to make at home. All you need is quality coffee, mineral water, a scale, and a fine mesh filter or dedicated brewing system.

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home

As mentioned, this is a very simple technique, so even if you’re not a professional barista, you can easily make Cold Brew coffee at home.

What to Consider Before Brewing:

Use specialty-grade coffee that is freshly roasted and 100% natural. This enhances flavor, producing a more intense and nuanced cup. Fruity coffee profiles are often recommended for Cold Brew.

The coffee-to-water ratio may vary depending on taste, but a common ratio is between 1:10 and 1:15.

If you're grinding your own beans, opt for a medium-coarse grind. Since the coffee grounds are steeped for many hours, a coarser grind helps prevent over-extraction.

Step-by-Step Cold Brew Coffee Recipe

Step 1:
Add freshly ground coffee to a filter. We recommend using home brewing system like Toddy, Hario filter bottles, or Kinto’s Capsule. If you don’t have one, a fine mesh filter will work too.

Step 2:
Add water to a container (a jar or bottle) and insert the coffee filter. For example, use 500ml of mineral water for every 50 grams of coffee.

Step 3:
Let the mixture steep for 12 to 24 hours at a stable room temperature or in the fridge.

Step 4:
Remove the coffee grounds and keep the brewed coffee concentrated.

As you can see, it’s very easy to prepare, you just need a little patience to let the coffee infuse properly.

The result? A smooth, less acidic and less bitter coffee that’s easier on the stomach and higher in caffeine. You can also use Cold Brew concentrate in cocktails, iced drinks, or even desserts.

Pro Tip: Serve over ice and enjoy!