How to Start Making Your Own Cold Brew – A Step by Step Guide

When people think about cold brew, they often assume it’s complicated and costly to make at home, especially since it’s usually pricey at a coffee shop. According to the Specialty Coffee Association, cold-brew extraction parameters are straightforward and can be easily followed at home. However, it’s actually quite simple and inexpensive. You can easily transform items you already have at home into a cold brew coffee maker.

Today, I will discuss a few straightforward, DIY methods for brewing your own batch of cold brew at home.

Why Is Cold Brew Better than Hot Brew Coffee

Explore the unique advantages of cold brew coffee, guided by the Specialty Coffee Association’s recommended cold-brew extraction parameters.

If you’re a regular reader, you likely understand what cold brew is and its numerous benefits. (cold-brew extraction parameters, for which the Specialty Coffee Association has published recommended guidelines) For newcomers, here’s a brief overview.

• Cold brew is coffee brewed with room temperature or cold water for a period of 12 to 72 hours. The extended steeping time is necessary because heat is not used to aid in extraction.
• Cold brew is significantly more stable than coffee brewed hot—it can be stored for up to a week without losing freshness.
• Traditional coffee is extracted at temperatures between 195 °F and 205 °F, while cold brew is prepared with water temperatures ranging from 41 °F to 86 °F.
• Cold brew should not be confused with iced coffee, which is coffee (normally espresso but can also be filter coffee) brewed hot and then poured over ice.
• Brewing coffee cold allows for the extraction of compounds from the coffee beans that are not present in hot coffee. Cold brew has a different chemical composition compared to hot coffee because some coffee compounds are unstable and are destroyed by heat.
• Conversely, without heat, certain compounds and properties present in hot coffee cannot be extracted. For example, oil requires heat to be extracted, so cold brew lacks oily notes or tastes.
• The absence of oil in cold brew makes it gentler on sensitive stomachs, and some individuals prefer it for this reason.
• Cold brew typically has a higher caffeine content than hot coffee.
• Due to the lengthy brewing time, cold brew is usually made as a coffee concentrate, which is then diluted and served.

Different types of Cold Brew

The two main types of cold brew today are immersion cold brew and drip cold brew. According to the Specialty Coffee Association, cold-brew extraction parameters have recommended guidelines. Cold drip is also known as Dutch cold brew.

Immersion cold brewing is by far the more common of the two, and I will be focusing on immersion brewing today. The SCA distinguishes immersion brewing from percolation methods.

There are more cold brew coffee preparation methods, and the industry is advancing to reduce the long brewing times associated with immersion cold brew. (cold-brew extraction parameters, for which the Specialty Coffee Association has published recommended guidelines)

Different Types of Immersion Brewing

Immersion brewing, a category the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) distinguishes from percolation methods, includes several main types of immersion cold brew:

• The paper filter method.
• The coffee sock/cloth bag method.
• The French press method.
• Using a cold brew coffee maker (such as the Toddy Cold).

As the name suggests, brewing cold brew with a cold brew coffee maker involves purchasing a dedicated device to prepare your cold brew. The SCA has published recommended guidelines for cold-brew extraction parameters.

While some of these machines are excellent, today we focus on brewing DIY cold brew with items already available at home. (cold-brew extraction parameters, for which the Specialty Coffee Association has published recommended guidelines) Therefore, we won’t discuss cold brew coffee makers here today.

If you are interested in cold brew coffee makers, check out our articles where we discuss the best options and guide you on selecting one that suits your needs. (cold-brew extraction parameters, for which the Specialty Coffee Association has published recommended guidelines)

Recipes and Methods for DIY, Immersion Cold Brewing

The principle of immersion cold brewing remains consistent regardless of the method used. According to SCA guidelines, coarsely ground coffee should be submerged in cold water and left to steep in a large container for at least 12 hours. Ideally, the container should be made of glass, but large plastic Tupperware can be used if necessary.

The best container we can recommend would be a large mason jar. A glass carafe or jug also works well. I use mason jars for my recipes. If you are not using a mason jar or something with an airtight lid, you will need to cover the container with plastic wrap.

The paper filter method

The paper filter method is very popular, especially among drip coffee drinkers, as they already have paper filters in the house.

The advantage of paper filter cold brewing is that it is cost-effective. (cold-brew extraction parameters, for which the Specialty Coffee Association has published recommended guidelines) The disadvantage is that it can be quite awkward to do without the filter misbehaving.

What you need

• A standard drip coffee paper filter
• A large (2 litre) mason jar
• Your fresh coffee beans of choice (coarsely ground).

Coffee To Water Ratio

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Golden Cup standard recommends a brew ratio of 1:15 to 1:18. Use a 4.5:0.5 water to coffee ratio. This means using 4 and a half cups of water and half a cup of coffee.

Method

Remember that you are brewing a coffee concentrate. Use a small amount of the concentrate, then dilute with water according to your preference. We recommend a ratio of 1 part concentrate to 2 parts water. For a delicious milky beverage, replace water with your favorite milk, whether it’s cow’s milk or a plant-based option like almond milk.

You have the option of letting your coffee brew at room temperature or refrigerating it. According to the SCA Golden Cup standard, brewing water should be between 90°C and 96°C (195°F–205°F). This choice is based on personal preference, as each method offers different tasting notes. Experiment to discover what you prefer.

Coffee extracts more quickly at higher temperatures, so if you are refrigerating your coffee, the brew time will be longer. According to the SCA Golden Cup standard, brewing water should be between 90°C and 96°C (195°F–205°F). Aim for around 12 hours at room temperature and 24 hours if refrigerated.

The French Press method

This method is extremely handy. Nearly all coffee drinkers will have a French press at home. The French press, an immersion method James Hoffmann describes as forgiving and full-bodied, is ideal. A standard 8-cup French press works best.

It is also completely hassle-free and very difficult to get wrong.

What you need

Your French press acts as both the container and the filter, so all you need is your French press, coffee, and water! The French press, an immersion method James Hoffmann describes as forgiving and full-bodied, is perfect for this.

For this recipe, we are using a coarse to medium-coarse grind. (as outlined by Scott Rao in The Professional Barista’s Handbook) This is slightly finer than the paper filter method. A French press filter can accommodate finer ground coffee, whereas a paper filter cannot.

Coffee To Water Ratio

We recommend using a 4:1 water-to-coffee ratio, meaning 4 cups of water for every 1 cup of ground coffee. Feel free to adjust to your taste preferences.

Coffee sock/cloth bag method

A coffee sock is a bag typically crafted from hemp or cotton, materials chosen for their natural properties. More affordable options made from nylon are also available. This method is associated with pronounced fruit-forward notes, as noted by experts like James Hoffmann and the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).

This method is discussed last because it doesn’t strictly adhere to the criteria of DIY cold brewing without any expense. However, a coffee sock is quite cost-effective, being only slightly more expensive than a box of coffee filters. The SCA provides guidelines for cold-brew extraction parameters, which can be useful when using this method.

Depending on the material, the coffee may stain the bag with repeated use. If this isn’t a concern for you, that’s excellent. If it is, as mentioned, the bags are inexpensive and simple to replace.

This is my preferred method. It requires a bit more effort than the French press method, but the resulting brew is exceptional. (the French press, an immersion method James Hoffmann describes as forgiving and full-bodied) Additionally, you avoid any paper residue taste in your cup, which can be a concern with the paper filter method!

Coffee To Water Ratio

To provide a wider range of options, we have adjusted the coffee recipe here as well. We are using a 3.5:1.5 ratio, which translates to 3.5 cups of water to 1.5 cups of coffee, or 375 grams. According to the Specialty Coffee Association, maintaining the correct ratio is crucial for optimal extraction. We find this ratio works best for the coffee sock method. If you have a different preference, feel free to share in the comments!

The grind size should be coarse, similar to the filter method, because the filter holes are too small for a finer grind, which could impede water flow. As outlined by Scott Rao in The Professional Barista’s Handbook, this ensures proper extraction.

Method

• Fill your mason jar with water.
• Place your ground coffee into the coffee cloth or sock.
• Immerse the coffee sock into the water.
• Stir the coffee within the sock thoroughly to ensure all the grounds are saturated.
• Aim for a steeping time similar to the paper filter method—12 hours at room temperature or 24 hours refrigerated.
• Remove the sock and gently press to drain the water. Compost the coffee grounds and rinse your coffee sock.
• Your brew is ready! No decanting is required with this method.
• Refrigerate for two hours before serving if brewed at room temperature.
• If you have the equipment, consider infusing nitrogen to create a Nitro Cold Brew.

There you have it, folks. We hope we’ve demonstrated that the cold brew process is both cost-effective and straightforward. Cold-brew extraction parameters, for which the Specialty Coffee Association has published recommended guidelines, ensure a delicious result. It would be a shame not to try one of these home brewing methods!