Cold Brew 101: How to Make the Perfect Iced Coffee Every Time

Editorial Team CoffeeCoffee, Coffee Brewing Techniques, Kitchen & Cooking 0

Cold brew coffee has taken the coffee world by storm, becoming a go-to drink for coffee lovers seeking a smooth, refreshing, and less acidic alternative to traditional hot coffee. The beauty of cold brew is in its simplicity and versatility; with just a few steps and a bit of patience, you can create the perfect iced coffee to enjoy on hot days or anytime you crave a cool, rich caffeine boost. Here’s everything you need to know to master the art of cold brew at home.

Why Cold Brew?

Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for an extended period, usually between 12-24 hours. Unlike iced coffee, which is simply hot coffee poured over ice, cold brew is brewed at a low temperature, resulting in a smooth, concentrated coffee with less bitterness and acidity. Because of its rich and bold flavour, cold brew is perfect for drinking over ice, mixing with milk, or adding your favourite syrups.

What You’ll Need

To make cold brew, you don’t need any fancy equipment—just a few basic items and quality ingredients:

Coffee beans: Choose a coffee you enjoy, ideally one with notes that shine in a cold brew, like chocolate, nutty, or fruity flavours.
Grinder: A burr grinder is best for achieving a coarse, consistent grind. If you don’t have one, you can often ask your coffee shop or local roaster to grind it for cold brew.
Filtered water: Clean, filtered water will bring out the best flavour in your coffee.
Large container: A mason jar, pitcher, or dedicated cold brew maker works well for steeping.
Fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth: This is for straining out the coffee grounds after steeping.

However, if you are thinking of going all in and want a convenient jar or way of cold brewing in bulk, consider one of the Cold Brew Coffee Makers listed in our other article. There you can also find some specially designed cold brew system, like the Toddy Cold Brew, OXO Brew Compact, Takeya Patented Cold Brew Maker and Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Pot. You can even go big and choose the KitchenAid Cold Brew dispenser jar with tap.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cold Brew

Step 1: Measure and Grind Your Coffee

The basic ratio for cold brew is 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee to 4 cups of water. This will give you a strong, concentrated brew that you can dilute with water, milk, or ice as desired. For best results, use freshly ground coffee beans and grind them to a coarse texture, similar to sea salt. A coarse grind ensures that the coffee extracts slowly, preventing bitterness.

Step 2: Combine Coffee and Water

In your large container, add the ground coffee and pour in the filtered water. Stir the mixture gently to make sure all the coffee grounds are saturated. Cold water extracts the coffee’s flavours gradually, so it’s important that all the grounds are evenly mixed with the water. You can also add ice cubes to your filtered water. Be sure to make those ice cubes from filtered water too.

Step 3: Steep the Coffee

Cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap, then let the coffee steep at room temperature or in the fridge. For a milder brew, steep for 12 hours; for a stronger brew, go up to 24 hours. Experiment with steeping time to find the strength and flavour you prefer.

Step 4: Strain the Cold Brew

Once the steeping time is up, it’s time to strain the coffee. Place a fine-mesh sieve or a cheesecloth over a large bowl or pitcher and pour the cold brew through it to remove the grounds. For a smoother brew, you can strain it a second time. Avoid pressing down on the grounds, as this can release bitter compounds into the coffee.

Step 5: Dilute and Serve

Cold brew concentrate is quite strong, so you may want to dilute it with water or milk. A common ratio is 1:1 (cold brew to water), but feel free to adjust based on your taste preferences. Pour your cold brew over ice, add any milk or sweetener if desired, and enjoy!

Tips for Perfecting Your Cold Brew

A. Experiment with coffee-to-water ratios: Cold brew is highly customizable. If you prefer a lighter brew, try a ratio of 1:5. For a stronger coffee, reduce the water slightly or increase the coffee.

B. Adjust steeping time: The longer the coffee steeps, the stronger and more concentrated it will be. Find a balance that suits your taste.

C. Use high-quality beans: Since cold brew is so simple, the quality of your coffee beans really stands out. Look for freshly roasted beans with flavour notes that will shine in a cold extraction.

D. Store properly: Cold brew can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. Keep it in an airtight container to preserve its freshness and flavour.

Ovalware Airtight Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker 15L

Cold Brew Variations to Try

One of the great things about cold brew is its versatility. Once you’ve mastered the basics, try these fun variations to elevate your cold brew game:

A. Vanilla Bean Cold Brew: Add a vanilla bean to the coffee grounds before steeping for a subtle, sweet vanilla flavour.

B. Cinnamon Cold Brew: Add a cinnamon stick to the brew while it steeps for a warm, spicy kick.

C. Coconut Cold Brew: Use coconut water instead of regular water for a tropical twist.

D. Mocha Cold Brew: Mix cold brew with a splash of chocolate syrup or add cocoa powder to the grounds before brewing for a rich, chocolatey treat.

E. Cold Brew Lemonade: Combine equal parts cold brew and lemonade for a refreshing, citrusy coffee lemonade.

Common Cold Brew Questions

Q: Can I use pre-ground coffee for cold brew?
Yes, you can, but freshly ground beans are ideal for the best flavour. If you use pre-ground coffee, make sure it’s a coarse grind to prevent over-extraction and bitterness.

Q: How long can I keep cold brew in the fridge?
Cold brew concentrate can be stored in the fridge for up to one week. Just keep it in an airtight container to maintain its flavour and freshness.

Q: What’s the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?
Iced coffee is brewed with hot water and then poured over ice, resulting in a quick-brewing method with a more traditional coffee flavour. Cold brew, on the other hand, is steeped in cold water for an extended period, producing a smoother, less acidic coffee.

Q: Can I heat up cold brew coffee?
Yes! Cold brew concentrate can be diluted with hot water for a warm coffee drink. Just add hot water to taste, and you’ll have a delicious, smooth cup without the acidity of traditionally brewed hot coffee.

Q: What’s the best grind size for cold brew?
A coarse grind, similar to sea salt, is best for cold brew. This grind size allows for a slow extraction that brings out the coffee’s smooth, rich flavours without bitterness.

Final Thoughts

Cold brew coffee is an easy, refreshing way to enjoy your favorite beans, especially during warmer months. With just a bit of prep and patience, you can make a batch of delicious, smooth cold brew at home that’s ready whenever you need a caffeine boost. Customise it to your liking, experiment with fun flavour twists, and savor the rich, mellow taste that only cold brew can deliver.