Feeling trendy? Cold brew has recently become an extremely popular way to prepare our favorite beverage, and it’s easy to see why. This simple, crowd-pleasing brewing method can yield multiple servings of smooth-tasting, refreshing coffee, making it a great choice for gatherings and warm mornings. Note that there is a variety of dedicated cold-brewing equipment available, but all you’ll need for this tutorial is two of any resealable receptacle, such as a mason jar.
Step 1
Weigh your coffee beans. Unlike other brewing methods, cold brewing creates a concentrate that you will then dilute, so you’ll need a high ratio of coffee to water – about 1:4, or 1 part coffee to every 4 parts water.
Step 2
Grind your coffee beans. We’ll use coarse grinds here. While medium to coarse grinds are all acceptable, keep in mind that finer grinds will cause faster extraction, and a stronger flavor, and should therefore spend less time in the water.
Step 3
Add your coffee grounds to your receptacle. Follow them with the right proportion of cool water, making sure to pour evenly to saturate the grounds. Gently stir until the grounds are uniformly distributed in the water.
Step 4
Close the lid of your receptacle and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours, and no more than 18, depending on your desired taste. Longer extraction times will create stronger, more bitter brews. If you’re unsure, start with 14 hours and adjust as needed for your next batch!
Step 5
Place a paper filter over the mouth of a new receptacle. Open your coffee and gently pour it into the new container, making sure to give the liquid time to seep through the filter.
Step 6
Almost done, but not quite there. Remember, what you have now is a concentrate and you’ll need to dilute it before drinking. Do this by mixing even parts concentrate and water. You can return any left over concentrate to the fridge for later use.