Cold Brew coffee makes a refreshing treat, especially when the weather turns warm and hot beverages lose their appeal. It is smooth and flavourful, distinct from the sharper acidity of traditional hot brews.
Starting from customisation to having a ready supply in your refrigerator whenever the craving strikes - learning to craft your own Cold Brew at home opens a world of possibilities.
In this guide, let us explore the art of crafting Cold Brew coffee at home. Additionally, we will follow through with some tips to make sure you enjoy every sip of the brew.
Cold Brew vs Iced Coffee: An Overview
Before we start with the Cold Brew recipe, let us understand what exactly is a Cold Brew and how it is different from an iced coffee.
Although people confuse a Cold Brew with iced coffee easily, these coffees are starkly different from their brewing method to the final taste. Let’s break down both of them side by side – Cold Brew and Iced Coffee.
Cold Brew Meaning: Cold Brew coffee is brewed by steeping ground coffee with cold water or room temperature water for 18 to 24 hours. Made with coarse-ground coffee, Cold Brew coffee has a smoother, sweeter and less acidic taste.
Iced Coffee: Iced coffee is regularly brewed coffee served with ice. We can brew hot coffee as usual, wait for it to cool down and pour it over ice cubes. The flavour profile of iced coffee tends to be lighter and a bit more acidic than Cold Brew coffee. If you like milky cold beverages, they can be combined with milk as well as flavours.
Cold Brew Recipe | A Step-by-Step Guide
By following a few straightforward steps, you can unlock the smooth, rich flavours of Cold Brew at your home. Let us dive into the process, from steeping the perfect brew to filtering it for optimal clarity and taste.
What You Will Need:
- Freshly ground coffee (20g, coarse grind size)
- Cold Brew Coffee Maker or any glass container and filter (Pour Over cone filter paper, muslin cloth or any other filter)
- 240 ml water (room temperature)
- Scale for precision (if required)
Step 1: Prepare the Coffee Grounds
- Measure out coarsely ground coffee beans.
- Place the coffee grounds into a large glass jar or pitcher.
Step 2: Add Water
- Pour cold or room temperature water over the coffee grounds. Use filtered water if possible to improve the taste.
- Stir gently with a spoon to ensure all the coffee grounds are saturated with water.
Step 3: Steep
- Cover the jar or pitcher with a lid or plastic wrap to prevent any contaminants from getting into the brew.
- Let the mixture steep at room temperature for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours for a stronger brew. You can also steep it in the refrigerator for a milder flavour.
Step 4: Strain
- After steeping, uncover the jar or pitcher and place a mesh sieve over another clean container or pitcher.
- Slowly pour the coffee mixture through the sieve or cheesecloth to strain out the grounds. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your sieve.
Step 5: Filter (Optional)
- For a clearer brew, you can filter the strained coffee mixture through a coffee filter set in a funnel.
- This step is optional but helps remove finer sediment, resulting in a smoother texture.
Step 6: Serve
- Once strained and filtered, your Cold Brew coffee concentrate is ready to be served.
- To serve, dilute the concentrate with water or milk to your desired strength and sweetness. You can also top it off with flavour syrups if you prefer.
- Serve over ice for a refreshing Cold Brew experience.
Step 7: Store
Store any remaining concentrate in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to a week, allowing you to enjoy a Cold Brew whenever you like.
Tips for A Better Result
By following the below tips, you will be well-equipped to create consistently delicious Cold Brew coffee that brings out the full potential of your favourite coffee beans.
- Use the Right Coffee-to-Water Ratio: Achieving the perfect balance of flavour in your Cold Brew starts with the ratio of coffee grounds to water. A good starting point is 1:12 (1 part coffee grounds to 12 parts water). Adjust this ratio based on your preference for strength and taste.
- Grind Your Coffee Coarsely: Use a coarse grind setting when grinding your coffee beans for Cold Brew. This helps to prevent over-extraction and bitterness, resulting in a smoother and more balanced flavour profile.
- Steep for the Right Amount of Time: Cold Brew coffee requires a longer steeping time compared to hot brewed coffee. Typically, steeping for 18 to 24 hours at room temperature or in the refrigerator allows for optimal extraction of flavours. You can also experiment with different steeping times to find the duration that suits your taste preferences.
- Strain Properly for Clarity: After steeping, strain the coffee concentrate using a sieve or coffee filter to remove the coffee grounds. This step not only ensures a smoother texture but also improves the clarity of your Cold Brew.
- Store and Serve Cold: Once strained, store your Cold Brew concentrate in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It can last up to a week, allowing you to enjoy a fresh Cold Brew whenever you desire. When serving, dilute the concentrate with water or milk over ice to achieve the perfect strength and temperature.
Closing Lines on Cold Brew Coffee
Creating your own Cold Brew coffee at home is not only satisfying but also, as you may know by now, simple. With these tips and techniques, you're ready to savour every sip of your homemade Cold Brew.
Whether enjoyed over ice or as a base for creative coffee concoctions, Cold Brew coffee makes a delightful choice year-round, beyond just summers.
