Hi, Adriana here!
Summer is finally here, and it has been hot.
If you are anything like me, a tropical bird at heart, you are probably soaking up the sunshine, spending more time outdoors and looking for ways to cool down without giving up your coffee.
Because giving up coffee is obviously not the solution.
As you may have read before, I might drink a little too much of it. Guilty. What can I say? It is simply too good.
The other afternoon, I was about to brew my usual cup when I had one of those very obvious aha moments.
It is officially cold brew season.
So, consider this your sign to make a batch if you have not tried it yet.
Cold brew is smooth, refreshing and incredibly easy to prepare. Once it is waiting in the refrigerator, all you need to do is pour it over ice and enjoy.
I am sharing my favourite cold brew coffee recipe, a few simple variations and the Crickle Creek coffees I love using most.
What Is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew is coffee made by steeping ground coffee in cool water for several hours and then filtering out the grounds.
Unlike iced coffee, which is normally brewed hot and cooled over ice, cold brew extracts slowly at a low temperature.
The result often tastes:
• Smooth
• Mellow
• Naturally sweet
• Less bitter
• Less sour
Cold brew is not necessarily much higher in pH or completely free from acidity. It simply tends to taste softer and less sharp than many hot brewed coffees.
That smooth character makes it especially enjoyable over ice, with milk or as the base for a summer latte.
The Quick Answer: How Do You Make Cold Brew at Home?
To make cold brew coffee at home:
- Combine coarsely ground coffee with cold filtered water.
- Stir gently until all the grounds are wet.
- Cover and steep in the refrigerator for 12 to 18 hours.
- Strain the coffee through a fine mesh strainer or paper filter.
- Serve over ice and store the remaining cold brew in the refrigerator.
That is really all there is to it.
No expensive machine. No complicated technique. Just coffee, water and a little patience.
Easy Cold Brew Coffee Recipe
This recipe makes a strong cold brew that can be served over ice or adjusted with water or milk according to your taste.
What You Will Need
85 grams coarsely ground coffee
This is approximately one cup by volume, but weighing the coffee gives you a more consistent result.
950 grams cold filtered water
This is approximately four cups.
A large jar or French press
A spoon
A fine mesh strainer or paper coffee filter
I prefer finishing the cold brew through a paper filter because it removes more fine particles and oils, creating a cleaner and crisper cup.
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee Step by Step
1. Grind the Coffee Coarsely
Use a grind similar to coarse sea salt.
Coffee that is ground too finely can make the finished drink muddy, harder to filter and sometimes more bitter.
When you are ordering Crickle Creek coffee ground specifically for cold brew, choose a coarse grind.
2. Add the Coffee and Water
Place the ground coffee in your jar or French press.
Slowly pour in the cold filtered water.
Stir gently to make sure all the coffee is completely saturated. Check the bottom and sides of the container for any dry pockets.
3. Steep in the Refrigerator
Cover the container and place it in the refrigerator for 12 to 18 hours.
Twelve hours usually creates a smooth and balanced cup.
A longer steep may create a stronger flavour, but leaving it much longer does not automatically make the coffee better. It may begin tasting heavier or more bitter depending on the grind and coffee.
My advice is to begin with 14 to 16 hours and adjust your next batch from there.
4. Strain the Cold Brew
Pour the coffee through a fine mesh strainer into a clean container.
For a cleaner cup, filter it a second time through a rinsed paper coffee filter.
When using a French press, press the plunger down slowly. You can then pour the coffee through a paper filter if you prefer fewer oils and fine particles.
Avoid squeezing or pressing the wet grounds aggressively because that can push more sediment into the drink.
5. Serve and Enjoy
Pour the cold brew over ice.
Taste it before adding anything.
This recipe makes a fairly strong brew, so you can add:
• Cold water
• Milk
• Oat milk
• Cold foam
• A little simple syrup
• Flavoured syrup
Adjust it according to your taste. Cold brew should fit your summer, not follow a strict rule.
What Is the Best Cold Brew Coffee Ratio?
This recipe uses approximately:
1 gram of coffee for every 11 grams of water
That produces a bold cold brew that holds up well over ice and milk.
For a lighter drink that you plan to enjoy black, use slightly less coffee, approximately 65 to 75 grams for every litre of water.
For a stronger cold brew concentrate, use more coffee and dilute the finished brew before drinking.
There is no single perfect ratio. The best one depends on:
• Your coffee
• Your roast level
• Your grind size
• Your steeping time
• Whether you drink it black or with milk
Start with the recipe above, taste it and adjust one variable during your next batch.
How Long Should Cold Brew Steep?
A steeping time of 12 to 18 hours in the refrigerator is a practical starting range.
Shorter steeping can create a lighter, more delicate cup.
Longer steeping can create more intensity, although it may also bring out heavier or more bitter flavours.
Grind size matters too. Finer coffee extracts more quickly, while coarser coffee may need more time.
Rather than assuming longer is always better, choose one recipe and repeat it until you understand how it tastes.
That is the easiest way to find your favourite cold brew.
The Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew
You can make cold brew with almost any coffee.
However, I usually prefer smooth medium or medium dark coffees with chocolate, caramel, nutty or gentle fruit notes.
These flavours remain rich and comforting when the coffee is chilled and served over ice.
Here are two of my Crickle Creek favourites.
Colombia Single Origin
Our Colombia coffee is smooth and balanced, with caramel sweetness, chocolate and subtle berry notes.
It works beautifully for cold brew because the natural sweetness becomes especially noticeable as the coffee chills.
Choose this one if you enjoy:
• Drinking cold brew black
• Balanced sweetness
• A smooth finish
• A little fruit without sharp acidity
Macleod Blend
Macleod is a medium dark blend with bold chocolate and nutty flavours.
Its fuller body stands up beautifully to ice, milk and cold foam.
Choose this one if you enjoy:
• Creamy cold brew drinks
• Chocolate and nutty flavours
• A richer body
• Coffee that remains noticeable after adding milk
Cold Brew or Iced Coffee: What Is the Difference?
Cold brew and iced coffee are not exactly the same.
Cold Brew
Cold brew is steeped in cool water for several hours.
It usually tastes smooth, mellow and rounded.
Iced Coffee
Iced coffee is brewed with hot water and then cooled or poured over ice.
It often preserves more of the bright acidity and aromatic character found in hot brewed coffee.
Neither method is better.
Choose cold brew when you want something smooth, convenient and ready in the refrigerator.
Choose iced coffee when you want a fresher, brighter cup made immediately.
How Long Does Homemade Cold Brew Last?
For the best flavour, keep plain cold brew covered in the refrigerator and enjoy it within approximately five days.
Always use clean brewing equipment and a clean storage container.
Discard the cold brew if it develops:
• An unusual smell
• Visible mould
• Unexpected fermentation or fizzing
• A noticeably unpleasant flavour
Once milk or cream has been added, follow the storage guidance for the dairy or plant based milk you used and avoid leaving the drink at room temperature.
Two Easy Cold Brew Variations
Vanilla Cinnamon Cold Brew Latte
Pour cold brew over ice.
Add a small splash of vanilla syrup or a drop or two of vanilla extract.
Sprinkle in a little cinnamon.
Top with milk or lightly frothed cold milk.
Stir and enjoy.
When using pure vanilla extract, begin with a very small amount because the flavour is concentrated.
Cold Brew Coffee Float
Place one scoop of vanilla ice cream in a glass.
Slowly pour cold brew around it.
The coffee becomes creamy and dessert like as the ice cream melts.
This one is especially good after a summer dinner or when your afternoon needs a little celebration.
Cold Brew Coffee Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make cold brew in a French press?
Yes. Combine the coffee and water in the French press, steep it in the refrigerator and press slowly when it is ready.
For a cleaner cup, pour the finished coffee through a paper filter.
Should cold brew steep on the counter or in the fridge?
For a simple home recipe, steeping in the refrigerator keeps the process consistent and means the coffee remains chilled throughout.
Room temperature brewing extracts differently and may require a shorter steeping time.
Can I use finely ground coffee for cold brew?
You can, but it is harder to filter and may create a muddy or bitter cup. Coarsely ground coffee is usually easier to work with.
Is cold brew less acidic than regular coffee?
Cold brew often tastes less sour and smoother, but its pH can be similar to hot coffee. The brewing method, roast and coffee origin all influence the final result.
Is cold brew stronger than regular coffee?
It depends on the coffee to water ratio and whether the finished brew is diluted.
Cold brew concentrate may be stronger, but a ready to drink cold brew can be prepared at a strength similar to regular coffee.
Does cold brew have more caffeine?
Not automatically.
Caffeine depends on the amount of coffee used, the ratio, steeping time, serving size and whether the cold brew is diluted.
Can I heat cold brew?
Yes. Cold brew describes how the coffee was extracted, not the temperature at which it must be served.
You can gently warm cold brew and add hot water or milk, although it will taste different from freshly hot brewed coffee.
My Favourite Part About Cold Brew
The best thing about cold brew is that it is waiting for you.
Prepare one batch, and for the next few mornings or afternoons, all you need to do is open the refrigerator, add ice and pour.
It is simple, refreshing and incredibly easy to make your own.
Try it black one day, with milk the next and perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream when the weekend arrives.
That is the fun of coffee.
It can be thoughtful and precise, but it can also simply make a hot summer afternoon feel a little better.
Ready to make your first batch?
Have a wonderful and happily caffeinated summer.
Adriana
Brew boldly. Live fully.