Cold Brew Coffee Recipe

Are you struggling to find a coffee method that delivers smooth, rich flavor without bitterness? Cold brew coffee might be your perfect solution. With our detailed recipe and easy-to-follow steps, you’ll learn how to create the perfect cold brew at home, ensuring a refreshing and satisfying cup every time.

Equipment

To make great cold-brew coffee, you need the right equipment. The essentials include a quality coffee maker, filters, and storage jars.

Coffee Makers:

Mueller Cold Brew Coffee Maker: This model costs about $30 and offers good value.
Bodum Bean Cold Brew Coffee Maker: Priced at $32, it’s a reliable choice.
OXO Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker: This smaller unit costs around $35.

Filters:

Use Alto Home Cold Brew Filters. They fit well in a 32-ounce mason jar, perfect for making cold brew.

Storage Jars:

Consider the County Line Kitchen Cold Brew Mason Jar. This system includes a glass jar, a stainless-steel fine-mesh filter, and a lid. It’s great for brewing up to 2 quarts.

Ingredients

When making cold brew coffee, simplicity is key. You need just a few basic ingredients to achieve that perfect, refreshing taste.

Essential Ingredients

Coffee Beans: Use coarsely ground coffee beans. Choose a medium to dark roast for a richer flavor. The recommended ratio is 1 cup of coffee grounds per 4 cups of water.

Water: Filtered water is ideal. It enhances the coffee’s taste by eliminating impurities.

Optional Additions

You may choose to add flavorings or additives to your cold brew.

Sweeteners: Sugar, honey, or syrups can be added to taste.
Milk or Cream: For a smoother, creamier texture, add your preferred type of milk or cream.
Spices: A pinch of cinnamon, vanilla extract, or a hint of nutmeg can complement the coffee flavor.

Instructions

Cold brew coffee is simple to make at home. Follow these steps for a delicious result.

Ingredients:

1/2 pound coarsely ground coffee
9 cups cold water

Steps:

Grind the Beans: Use a coffee grinder to achieve a medium to coarse grind.
Combine Coffee and Water: In a large pitcher or glass jar, mix 1/2 pound of ground coffee with 6 cups of cold water. Stir to ensure all grounds are wet.
Initial Steep: Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes. This allows the grounds to begin infusing.
Add Remaining Water: Add 3 more cups of cold water to the mixture and stir well.
Steep Time: Cover the container. Let it steep for 12 to 24 hours. You can do this at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Strain the Coffee: After steeping, use a fine-mesh sieve or coffee filter to strain the coffee into another container. Ensure no grounds remain.
Serve and Store: Pour the cold brew into a clean jar or bottle. Keep it in the refrigerator. Serve over ice or dilute with water, milk, or any preferred sweetener.

Tips:

Use filtered water for a cleaner taste.
Adjust the coffee-to-water ratio based on your taste preferences.
Experiment by adding flavors like vanilla extract or mixing with milkshakes.

Variations

Cold brew coffee can be enjoyed in various ways. Each variation offers a unique taste experience.

Basic Cold Brew

It’s the classic way to enjoy cold brew coffee. You just need the following:

1 cup coarsely ground coffee beans
4 cups cold water

Steep the coffee in water for about 12-24 hours.

Sweetened Cold Brew

Add some sweetness to your cold brew:

Basic cold brew concentrate
Simple syrup to taste
Milk or cream (optional)

Mix the cold brew concentrate with simple syrup. Add milk or cream if desired.

Nitro Cold Brew

For a creamy and frothy texture:

Basic cold brew concentrate
Nitrogen gas

Infuse the cold brew with nitrogen gas. Serve from a tap for maximum frothiness.

Vanilla Cold Brew

Add vanilla for a hint of flavor:

Basic cold brew concentrate
1-2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Sweetener to taste

Stir vanilla extract and sweetener into the cold brew.

Cold Brew with Citrus

A refreshing twist with citrus:

Basic cold brew concentrate
2-3 slices of orange or lemon
Ice cubes

Add citrus slices to the cold brew. Serve over ice.

Cold Brew Tonic

A bit of fizz with your cold brew:

Basic cold brew concentrate
Tonic water
Ice cubes

Mix the cold brew with tonic water. Serve over ice.

Quick Pro Tips

Use coarsely ground coffee for best results. Fine grounds can make your cold brew bitter.
Aim for a ratio of 1:4 coffee to water. This means using 1 cup of coffee grounds to 4 cups of water.

Pour your cold water slowly over the coffee grounds. This ensures full saturation and optimal flavor extraction.

Stir the mixture initially. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then stir again. This helps the coffee grounds absorb the water fully.

Steep time is crucial. For a balanced flavor, steep your cold brew for 12 to 18 hours in the refrigerator.

Use filtered water. Quality of water affects taste. Filtered water makes a cleaner, richer brew.

Strain the coffee. Use a fine mesh sieve or a coffee filter. This keeps your brew smooth and free of grounds.

Store your cold brew in a sealed container. It keeps fresher up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Dilute before drinking. Cold brew concentrate is strong. Mix with an equal part of water, milk, or your favorite dairy-free alternative.

Add flavorings after brewing. Vanilla extract, syrups, or spices can be added to taste.

Keep a consistent routine. Follow the same steps every time for reliable results.