Making Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew is coffee extracted by time rather than heat. You steep coarsely ground coffee in room-temperature water for 12 to 18 hours, then strain it to create a concentrated base that keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks.
The grind determines the clarity
Use a coarse grind that looks like sea salt; fine grounds will make the coffee muddy and bitter, making it nearly impossible to filter cleanly.
- Large glass pitcher or mason jar
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Cheesecloth or paper coffee filter
What goes in.
- 1 cupcoarsely ground coffee beans
- 4 cupsfiltered water, room temperature
The patient steep
Do not stir the grounds once you pour the water; let them settle naturally to ensure even saturation and a cleaner draw-down.
The method.
Combine the coffee and water
Place the coarse grounds into your glass container. Pour the water over them in a slow, circular motion to ensure every bit of coffee is wet.
Steep
Cover the container and leave it on your counter at room temperature for at least 12 hours, or up to 18 if you prefer a stronger profile.
Strain
Line a sieve with cheesecloth or a paper filter and set it over a clean pitcher. Pour the coffee slowly, letting gravity do the work; do not squeeze the grounds, as this releases bitterness.
Dilute and serve
This is a concentrate. To serve, dilute with equal parts water, milk, or ice.
Other turns to take.
Spiced Cold Brew
Add one cinnamon stick or a few crushed cardamom pods to the grounds before pouring the water.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Use a light-to-medium roast for a brighter, more floral cup.
If you find sediment in your final glass, pour the coffee through a fresh paper filter a second time.
Keep the concentrate in an airtight glass bottle in the refrigerator to prevent it from absorbing fridge odors.
The ones that keep coming up.
Can I use hot water to speed up the process?
No. Heat changes the chemical extraction of the coffee oils. If you use hot water, you are making hot coffee, not cold brew.
Is my coffee too weak?
If the coffee is watery, increase your coffee-to-water ratio to 1:3 next time instead of 1:4.
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