What’s The Correct Ratio For Making Cold Brew Coffee
It really comes down to the person’s preferencefor coffee strength so the answer is subjective. This is the other reason I waited so long to attempt homemade cold brew coffee. Whenever I looked up recipes I ran into a slew of different answers, many of which involved complicated ratios and weights.
I prefer stronger coffee and didn’t want to waste grounds on a weak recipe from some random person on the internet .
So to make my attempt more accurate, I bought a bottle of my beau’s favorite cold brew coffee and a pound of whole coffee beans from the same company. I felt confident in my experiments since I could test the homemade & store-bought versions side by side.
Here’s the ratio that I settled on : 1 part ground coffee beans to 4 parts purified water. For example, 1 cup of ground coffee to 4 cups of water.
I don’t know the exact grind and coffee to water ratio the bottled cold brew coffee company uses BUT when my beau and I tasted our homemade version, it was pretty spot on to the bottled stuff & got his picky seal of approval.
Can I make it even stronger? Definitely. I’m going to test it out with a 1 to 3 ratio soon to see how much kick that has, but for now the 1 to 4 ratio works for us and makes more coffee. You can also make coffee ice cubes using any leftover brewed coffee you have on hand to give it extra oomph. 😀
What about weaker? I wouldn’t recommend it. You can always add more water or liquid to the final product, but you can’t take it out if it’s too weak.
Cold Brew Product Resources
Here are a few of my favorite products mentioned in the post for making cold brew. Again, you can easily use what you have on hand to make cold brew following the simple steps, many of these are just nice-to-haves. These are affiliate links.
- Nut Milk Bag or Cheese Clotheasy methods for straining out coffee grounds
- Coffee Grindercoarse and freshly ground coffee is best
- Cold Brew Coffee Maker this is essentially a large french press thats perfect for beginners
- Reusable Straws why is it that straws are a must-have for cold brew?
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!
How To Make Cold Brew Coffee In A French Press
If using a French press, once your coffee is done, gently press the mesh down on the grounds to filter them out. Pour the coffee into a jar or bottle for holding. French press cold brew makes less mess, so if you plan to brew cold regularly, it’s worth investing in the coffee maker.
With other kinds of containers, put a filter or cheesecloth in a sieve on the mouth of another container. Gradually pour coffee through the filter.
Or, before you brew, use a rubber band to bundle grounds in a coffee filter or a piece of cheesecloth. Put in the packets and cover the container with plastic wrap. Just pitch the packets when you’re done.
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The Best Cold Brew Tools For Your Home
If you want the easy way out , there are now cold brew machines available that make it ridiculously easy for any idiot to bunker down and brew a fresh cup of cold brew coffee in the comfort of your home, office, or home that also doubles as an office.
Read more to see find out the best tools, machines, and supplies for cold brew success!
How To Make Cold Brew Coffee At Home
It’s so easy to make your own cold-brewed coffee. If you make brewed coffee regularly, you have everything you need. Just keep a few glass jars or bottles on hand for storing the cold-brewed coffee, and you can have a cup any time you want.
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Mason Jar Cold Brew Coffee Recipe
Cold brew coffee is one of the tastiest caffeine boosts on earth. It is a strong cup of joe with a mild, smooth flavor served over ice. Cold-brew lovers know that if you want to start your day with this drink, youll have to wait in the drive-thru on your way to work.
Instead of going to a coffeehouse every single day, make your own cold brew at home and have your drink at the ready! Brewing cold brew inside of a mason jar is a simple and effective way of making the best iced coffee youve ever tasted. Plus, it takes very few ingredients to make.
This recipe is the perfect one to dip your toes in making your coffee at home. It yields about 3 cups of coffee in total. If you decide that cold brew is too strong or you do not like the flavor, not many materials are wasted. You can go back to buying your cold brew from the store, although that is highly unlikely.
To make this easy coffee recipe, you will first need to grind your coffee beans. Grinding your coffee from whole beans is the best way to ensure a perfect final product. If you use pre-ground or finely ground coffee, the cold brew will become cloudy as it brews.
Simply add the beans to the grinder and pulse in short bursts until the grounds are all broken but not fine. Add them to a large mason jar and fill with water until it reaches the top of the jar. Secure with the lid and place in the fridge. Allow the coffee to brew for 12-24 hours.
How Long Does Cold Brew Last
Most cold brew coffee lasts 7-10 days in the fridge when properly sealed. Thats a lot longer than regular coffee, which you shouldnt keep for more than one day.
However, if your cold brew coffee spoils within five days, this could be an indicator that your brewing equipment may need some TLC. Old coffee oils are the culprit to making your brew go bad faster if you have leftover coffee beans stuck to your grinder and this gets in your coffee, the oils can speed up the spoiling process.
When your coffee spoils quickly, its a sign the equipment needs to be cleaned. Coffee will last longer and taste better when the gear is clean.
Always clean your grinder, French press, and other coffee equipment after each use. If your equipment has different parts, you may want to do a deep clean once every couple of weeks. This not only helps keep your coffee tasting as fresh and delicious as possible but also helps keep your equipment in better shape so that it lasts longer.
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Make Cold Brew Coffee At Home It’s So Easy And Your Iced Coffee Will Never Taste Watery Or Bitter Again
If you crave a good iced coffee in the summer, but loathe the way so many end up tasting watery or overly bitter, then there’s only one solution: cold brew coffee. This method guarantees a smooth and icy cup, every time.
Making cold brew coffee is no great secret, nor does it require the ninja-level skills of a trained barista in order to master. You don’t even need much special equipment beyond a large container for making the coffee and a strainer.
Can You Sweeten Cold Brew Coffee
You can sweeten cold brew coffee and there are a few different ways to do it. The easiest way is to add some form of liquid sugar, like vanilla syrup or honey.
You can also add milk or cream to your coffee if you want it to be richer and more decadent.
And finally, you can sprinkle in some ground cinnamon or cocoa powder for an extra bit of flavor.
No matter how you choose to sweeten your cold brew coffee, its sure to be delicious!
You can check out this article where I go over many different ways to sweeten cold brew coffee at home. Its the perfect article if you want to try out a few different flavors!
Tip: Did you know you can drink your cold brew hot? Read about the best ways to heat it in this article!
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Our Top Pick Is The Contigo Autoseal West Loop Vacuum
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproductslearn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Simply Recipes / Chloe Jeong
For coffee devotees, a travel mug is as much of an AM uniform as a backpack or briefcase. Having a mug that keeps your single-origin pour-over steaming hot or your iced chai latte cold and refreshing can make or break your day. Whats more, reusable travel mugs are better for the environment and easier on our wallets since we can brew and go without that unnecessary trip to the local coffee shop.
We researched the features that make for stellar mugs including double-wall insulation for temperature control, leak- and spill-proof lids, and ease of drinking via a push-button, flip top, or straw. We also looked at less expected features like aesthetics and even self-brewing mugs. In the end, the Contigo 20-Ounce Autoseal West Loop Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug was our favorite for heat-retention and preventing spills.
To help you narrow down your choices, here are the best travel coffee mugs to get your morning off to an amazing start.
Take Cold Brew To The Next Level With These Variations
Now that its strained and ready, its time to enjoy it. Fill a glass with ice and pour in the cold brew, topping off with creamer, milk, or sugar however you take your coffee.
If youre looking to elevate your cold brew and add more flavor, here are a few of my favorite ways:
- Add a cinnamon stick to the grounds as you brew the coffee. The flavor is incredible, leaving a hint of warm cinnamon in each sip of the finished cold brew. You can reuse the cinnamon stick several times, too, to save on cost and get the most out of each stick. Want even more cinnamon flavor? Rinse the stick off after you strain out the grounds and add it to the final cold brew, too.
- Make vanilla cold brew by stirring in vanilla syrup to your glass of cold brew.
- You can also add 1 tablespoon of vanilla bean paste to the grounds when you brew them. Of course, you could be super extra and use an actual vanilla bean , but given the sheer cost of vanilla beans, Ill stick with the paste. Make sure you do stir the grounds before steeping to make sure the vanilla is incorporated.
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Best Style: Hannah Martin Handmade Travel Tumbler
Courtesy of Uncommon Goods
What We Love: Handcrafted, slim profile fits in cup holders and backpacks, dishwasher safe
What We Dont Love: Chipping and breaking potential, limited temperature retention, heavy
Stainless steel travel mugs are utilitarian and sleek, but sometimes you want to hold something a bit more stylish that sparks joy while delivering your dose of caffeine. These gorgeous 20-ounce travel tumblers are handcrafted from porcelain and layered with a rich lead-free glaze by ceramicist Hannah Martin in a basement studio on her farm in Grayson County, Virginia.
Available in calming, soothing blue sky or Borealis multi, the eco-friendly mug is slender enough to fit in a vehicle cup holder or in a backpacks mesh pocket. The snug silicone lid prevents leaks, and the silicone sleeve protects your hands from your hot brewed beverage while giving you a moment of zen. Both the mug and lid are safe in the microwave and the dishwasher.
Dimensions: 3.5 x 8 inches | Size Available: 20 ounces
Coffee To Water Ratio For Cold Brew
The coffee to water ratio for cold brew is the key to answering our question, is cold brew coffee strong? The answer is yes and no.
The ideal ratio for cold brew coffee is 1:5 coffee to water. This cold brew ratio will result in a potent cold brew concentrate that is meant to be diluted with water or milk before consumption.
Please dont drink cold brew concentrate straight.
This cold brew coffee to water ratio will work well with most roasts. We like to use medium roast coffee for our cold brew, but light roasts are also popular.
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What Is Decaf Cold Brew
This makes it a perfect choice for those who are looking for a smoother, less intense cup of coffee.
Additionally, because no heat is used during the brewing process, cold brew coffee generally retains more of its natural flavors and aromas than coffees that are brewed hot.
If you love to drink cold brew coffee, but feel like switching to a decaf version later in the day, then this recipe is perfect for you.
Tip: Check out this complete guide to making cold brew coffee at home. Its the perfect start if you havent made cold brew coffee before!
Below, youll find the ingredients needed to make decaf cold brew at home, the different ways you can let the coffee steep, and how to filter the coffee after it has steeped.
Can Cold Brew Be Decaf
Yes, cold brew can be decaf. Decaffeinated coffee beans are roasted coffee beans from which the caffeine has been removed. Thus, you can use these coffee beans to make a decaffeinated cold brew.
However, the flavor profile of cold brew decaf may not be as intense as regular cold brew coffee.
Thats why youll need to use a higher coffee to water ratio for this decaf cold brew recipe. More on this below:
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Best Budget: Contigo Snapseal Byron Stainless Steel Travel Mug
What We Love: Impressive temperature retention, variety of colors and patterns, one-handed drinking
What We Dont Love: Not dishwasher recommended, doesnt fit all cupholders
Contigo has proven to be a leader in insulated travel mugs, and while this one is wallet-friendly, it doesnt skimp on quality or features. Most importantly, it keeps drinks hot for up to seven hours or cold for up to 18, thanks to the Thermalock double-wall vacuum insulation.
The easy-to-use SnapSeal lid lets you drink from the mug one-handed without the need to remove a cap or lid, and its leak-proof when closed. Its available in both a 16-ounce and 20-ounce size and with or without a slip-proof grip or a handle if you prefer.
This travel mug also comes in a bevy of colors from neutral gunmetal and licorice to flashier radiant orchid or vivacious, a metallic red-fuschia. Hand-washing is recommended, though the lid is safe on the dishwasher’s top rack.
Dimensions: 2.5 x 7.1 inches 2.75 x 8 inches |Sizes Available: 16 and 20 ounces
How To Make A Cold Brew Concentrate
A cold brew concentrate is a stronger ratio of coffee grounds to water, that is then diluted with an equal amount of milk or water.
If you prefer less strong coffee, you can use the 1:4 ratio as described above as your concentrate, and dilute it with your favorite milk or creamer.
For a stronger concentrate, use a 1:3 ratio in a quart-sized mason jar. That would be 1 cup of coffee grounds to 3 cups of water
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What Is Cold Brew Coffee
As the name states, cold brew is coffee made using cold water. Unlike traditional coffee brewed using hot water that requires significantly less time to steep, cold brew is a long process that takes 12 to 24 hours.
The coarsely ground powder is brewed using cold water, which helps draw a smooth and refreshing coffee taste instead of the regular old bitter kick.
How To Serve Cold Brewed Coffee
Cold brewed coffee can be served iced or piping hot, dealer’s choice. You follow the same method for making the coffee either way, and then either serve it over ice or warm it up in the microwave for a hot cup. When warming it for hot coffee, I often add a splash of water to dilute the coffee before warming. But this, again, is a matter of personal taste.
Simply Recipes / Michelle Becker
Too strong for your taste? Iced coffee does make a particularly strong cuppa joe! If you’re serving it iced, the ice is meant to melt and dilute the coffee a little. If it’s still a bit too much for you, just dilute your glass with some water or milk to taste.
Ready to give cold brew coffee a try? Below is everything you need to know to make your own batch at home.
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