3 Easy Ways You Can Make Cold Brew Coffee At Home

Some like it hot… while others prefer it cold brewed. No matter how you take your coffee, we want it to be the best brew possible. Making cold brew coffee might seem challenging, but it’s extremely simple and only takes about 5 minutes to set up. 

What is cold brewing coffee? It’s the process of leaching flavor from coffee beans to produce a chemical profile that’s vastly different from conventional brewing methods. Cold brew coffee is less acidic, as well as more naturally sweet and complex than your typical brew. 

Below we outline three different methods to make cold brew coffee at home. But before embarking on this journey, there are a few things to remember.

First, we recommend choosing a medium roast. Second, a coarse grind on your coffee works best. Third, depending on how much coffee you want will depend on what method you should use—we outline the methods below from the least amount of cold brew to the most. 

Ready to brew? Let’s get started.

Using an 8-cup Coffee Press

1. Add 5.5 tbsp (82 grams) of coarsely ground coffee to the press. 
2. Add 16-oz (473 grams) of cold water. 
3. Incorporate and stir the mixture around to make sure all the grounds are wet.
4. Cover with the lid but don’t plunge.
5. Place the press in your refrigerator and let it cold brew for 16-20 hours.
6. Slowly plunge the coffee press.
7. Pour coffee concentrate into a new container.
8. If you want a cleaner cup of cold brew, we recommended filtering it through a paper filter.

Using a Half-gallon Mason Jar

1. Add 11 tbsp (164 grams) of coarsely ground coffee to the mason jar.
2. Add 32-oz (907 grams) of cold water.
3. Incorporate and stir the mixture around to make sure all the grounds are wet.
4. Cover the top of the jar with cheesecloth (you can also use a coffee filter or a fine-meshed sieve) and secure it with a rubber band.
5. Place the mason jar in your refrigerator and let it cold brew for 16-20 hours.
6. Strain the jar into a pitcher.
7. Another option is to brew with coffee inside a cold brew filter made by altocoldbrew.com. We suggest purchasing the small-sized filters.

Using the Toddy Cold Brew System

1. Insert the pre-moistened filter and make sure the rubber stopper on the bottom of the device is in place.
2. Add a little water, a little coffee, a little more water, more coffee (12 oz total), and then more water (72 oz total).
3. Place coffee mixture carefully on top of the carafe.
4. Place the device and carafe in your refrigerator and let it cold brew for 16-20 hours.
5. Pull out the stopper. The mixture will take about 15 minutes to drain completely into the carafe.

For all three methods, pour the coffee concentrate over ice. Remember: This is a concentrated coffee, which means it’s stronger than usual. You will want to add equal parts water to the coffee or until the taste is to your liking. We suggest adding milk or your other favorite coffee add-ins, just remember this brew is naturally sweeter than typically brewed coffee.

Serve and enjoy!