Making Cold Brew at Home is a Breeze
If you're a coffee lover, you've probably heard about the wonders of cold brew coffee. It's the perfect way to enjoy a refreshing, chilled caffeine kick on a hot day or when you're in need of a smooth and mellow coffee fix. The good news is, making cold brew at home is a breeze, and one of the easiest methods involves using a French Press. In this guide, we'll walk you through the simple steps to make delicious cold brew coffee in your French Press, and we'll even recommend using a dark roast coffee for the best results.
Step #1: Measure Coffee
The first question you might have when making cold brew is, "How much coffee should I use?" The answer is surprisingly simple. If you want to keep things easy, just double the amount of coffee you typically use for making hot French Press coffee.
However, if you're feeling adventurous and want to get into the math, you can use a ratio. For cold brew in a French Press, a ratio of 7 parts water to 1 part coffee is ideal. Keep in mind that the larger your French Press, the better, as you'll lose some water due to the coffee grounds taking up space during brewing.
For example, if you have a 34-ounce French Press, use approximately 107 grams of ground coffee for a 7 to 1 ratio. This will yield about 21 ounces of cold brew coffee. Adjust the amounts accordingly based on the size of your French Press and your preferred coffee-to-water ratio.
Step #2: Grind Coffee
You can use a medium to coarse grind for your cold brew coffee. We recommend a coarser grind for a milder brew. However, feel free to experiment with grind size to find your perfect taste. If your cold brew turns out too weak, try a finer grind, or if it's too strong, consider a coarser grind.
Step #3: Add Ground Coffee and Water to French Press
Just as you would with regular hot French Press coffee, add the ground coffee to the bottom of your French Press. This time, instead of hot water, add room temperature or cold filtered water to the coffee grounds. Ensure all the grounds are wet by gently stirring the mixture.
Step #4: Gently and Slowly Stir
Stirring is essential to ensure all the coffee grounds come into contact with water. Slowly stir the coffee to make sure every bit is saturated.
Step #5: Cover and Set Aside
Cover your French Press with a plate, plastic wrap, or even the French Press filter. Don't press the filter down until the brewing process is complete, which takes at least 12 hours. You can choose to let it steep on the counter or in the refrigerator; both methods work fine. Brewing on the counter is slightly faster, but the fridge is a great option if you need to leave it for longer than 12 hours.
Step #6: End Brew and Serve
After patiently waiting for your cold brew to steep, it's time to serve. Slowly press down the plunger on your French Press for a cleaner-tasting brew. Aim for a 30-second plunge. You can transfer the cold brew to a mason jar for storage or pour it directly into your glass.
If you find fine coffee particles in your cup, you can filter the coffee again by pouring it through a paper coffee filter or using another French Press.
Cleaning up after making cold brew in a French Press is as simple as regular French Press cleanup. Dispose of the coffee grounds in your compost or use them for your garden.
And there you have it – a simple and easy way to make cold brew coffee at home using a French Press. With just a few steps, you can enjoy a refreshing and delicious cup of cold brew that's perfect for those hot summer days or anytime you need a caffeine boost. Experiment with different coffee-to-water ratios and grind sizes to find your preferred flavor, and don't forget to use a dark roast coffee for the best results. Cheers to homemade cold brew!