How To Make Your Own Cold​ Brew Coffee

Many millions of people across the globe start their day with a cup of coffee. A warm cup of caffeinated magic fist thing in the morning can really get your day going and help you to feel ready to take on whatever challenges may arise. I personally drink coffee year round, but in the summer I usually opt for a cold cup of iced coffee rather than a hot mug of java.

In recent years, the popularity of “cold brew” coffee has been on the rise, especially in the summer months. Cold brew coffee is not just a fancy name for iced coffee as you may think. Cold brewing is actually a process of brewing coffee grounds in cold water over a much longer period of time than a traditional brew. The results are a strong but mellow brew that has almost twice the caffeine of a traditional cup with close to no acidity. It’s easy to see why these cold brews are so popular, and why they typically go for prices upwards of $6 from your favorite cafe. Cold brew is delicious, but the best thing about it is how easy and cheap it is to make at home. Here’s how I do it:

Start with the beans
For this recipe, you’ll want to go with nice arabica coffee beans. Buy them whole and grind them yourself. This is no time for Folgers. You’re looking for a coarse(french press) grind, and you’ll need about 1 ounce of grounds for every cup of water you plan to brew. I usually go with 3 ounces of coffee (about a cup and a half of grounds) and 3 cups of cold water.

Use filtered water
The type of water you use for this will end up making or breaking your cup of cold brew. I use either filtered water from a pitcher I keep in my fridge, or bottled water. Don’t try to use distilled water for this application, it will make your coffee taste flat.

Steep it and leave it
You’ll need a container large enough to hold the water and the grounds. Combine the ingredients and either stir or shake them gently to ensure that all of the grounds are in contact with the water. After this comes the hardest part, waiting. You’ll want to soak the grounds for between 12-15 hours depending on how strong you want your concentrate to be.

Strain, dilute and enjoy
Once the time is up, strain the grounds and water through a traditional coffee filter and you’ll be left with approximately 2 ½ to 3 cups of cold brew concentrate. When you’re ready to drink, combine equal amounts of concentrate and cold water, pour over ice, add whatever accoutrements you prefer, and voila! You have your own cup of cold, refreshing goodness, with enough left over to last you through the week.

Enjoy!