There’s something undeniably satisfying about sipping on a smooth, refreshing cold brew, especially when you’ve crafted it yourself. But with so many methods out there, where should you begin? Fear not, fellow barista homies! Here’s a deep dive into three simple yet effective methods to achieve that perfect cold brew right in the comfort of your home.
Coffee-to-Water Ratios
My personal preference leans toward a stronger 1:4 coffee-to-water ratio, which creates a cold brew concentrate that can be diluted with water or milk. If you prefer a ready-to-drink cold brew, try a 1:7 or 1:8 ratio instead.
My Recommended Coffee Beans For Cold Brew
1. French Press Method (makes a cold brew concentrate)
What You’ll Need:
- 1 cup coarse coffee grounds
- French press
- 4 cups room temperature water (plus more water for after the brewing process)
- Spoon
Make sure your coffee is coarsely ground, similar to raw sugar. Using a finer grind can make cold brew taste muddy or bitter.
Steps:
- Begin by adding your coarse coffee grounds to the French press.
- Pour water over the grounds, and stir with a spoon, ensuring all the grounds are saturated.
- Place the French press plunger inside the French press, but refrain from plunging it down just yet.
- Place your French press on the counter, and let it steep at room temperature for 12–18 hours depending on how strong you like it.
- After the steeping period, slowly plunge the French press and pour out your freshly made cold brew.
- Since this is a cold brew concentrate, I recommend diluting it a bit with cold water. I like a 1:2 ratio of concentrate to water. So for example, if you have 16 ounces of cold brew concentrate, I recommend adding in 32 ounces of cold water. Or add 8 ounces of cold brew concentrate to a cup and 16 ounces of cold water.
- Add your desired sweetener, and milk/cream, and enjoy.
2. Cold Brew Bag Method
What You’ll Need:
- 1 cup coarse coffee grounds
- Cold brew bag
- Large container or pitcher
- 7-8 cups room temperature water (For a slightly stronger cold brew, use 7 cups of water. For a less strong and bold cold brew, use 8 cups of water).
Make sure your coffee is coarsely ground, similar to raw sugar. Using a finer grind can make cold brew taste muddy or bitter.
Steps:
- Place your coarse coffee grounds inside the cold brew bag.
- Position the coffee filled cold brew bag within a large container or pitcher.
- Carefully add water over the top, ensuring the grounds are fully immersed.
- Secure a lid onto your container, then let it steep at room temperature for 12–18 hours depending on how strong you like it.
- Once the steeping is complete, extract any residual liquid by squeezing the bag. Pour and enjoy your homemade cold brew!
3. Nut Milk Bag Method
What You’ll Need:
- 1 cup coarse coffee grounds
- Large container or pitcher
- Nut milk bag
- 7-8 cups room temperature water (For a slightly stronger cold brew, use 7 cups of water. For a less strong and bold cold brew, use 8 cups of water).
- Spoon
Make sure your coffee is coarsely ground, similar to raw sugar. Using a finer grind can make cold brew taste muddy or bitter.
Steps:
- Combine the coarse coffee grounds and water in a large mason jar or container, and stir to combine.
- Seal the container with a lid and let it steep at room temperature for 12–18 hours depending on how strong you like it.
- Place a nut milk bag inside a separate container, and then pour the coffee-infused liquid into the nut milk bag.
- Squeeze the nut milk bag gently to release any trapped liquid.
- Pour the strained cold brew into a glass, and it’s ready to enjoy!
When Convenience Calls: Store-Bought Cold Brew
If the thought of brewing feels a tad overwhelming, don’t worry! Stok Cold Brew is a fantastic store-bought option that is super convenient, smooth, and delicious! I like to buy any of their unsweetened cold brew options so I can add my own sweetener, but you can find the flavor option that works best for you. It’s all about finding what works best for your taste and lifestyle.
Cold Brew Recipes You’ll Love
- Salted Egg Yolk Cold Brew
- Starbucks Copy Kat Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Cold Brew Recipe
- Starbucks Copy Kat Pistachio Cream Cold Brew
- Cosmic Cold Brew
- Dunkin Cookie Butter Cold Brew – Copy Kat Recipe
- Vanilla Cupcake Cold Brew
- Starbucks Copy Kat Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
Crafting the perfect cold brew at home doesn’t require rocket science—just a bit of patience and the right method for you. Whether you’re experimenting with the French press, embracing the cold brew bag, or opting for the nut milk bag technique, each approach offers a unique flavor profile waiting to be discovered. So, pick your method, brew with passion, and enjoy every sip of your homemade cold brew masterpiece!
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