Cold Brew Recipe
While cold brew may seem like a modern trend, its origins trace back to the 1600s when Dutch traders popularized cold brewing as a way to make coffee concentrate for long voyages. Over time, cold brew spread to Japan, where it became known as Kyoto-style coffee, and eventually gained global popularity.
Equipment
- A large jar or pitcher with a lid
- Fine-mesh strainer or coffee filter
- Cheesecloth (optional)
- A spoon for stirring
Ingredients
- 1 cup coarsely ground coffee beans (about 85 grams)
- 4 cups cold filtered water (about 1 liter)
- Optional: milk, cream, or sweetener (like vanilla syrup or simple syrup) for serving
Instructions
- Select good-quality coffee beans. Medium or dark roast beans are ideal for cold brew because they produce a richer, bolder flavor.
- Once chosen, coarsely grind the coffee beans. The grind size should resemble breadcrumbs; too fine, and it may result in a bitter brew.
- In your large jar or pitcher, add 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee. Pour 4 cups of cold, filtered water over the grounds. Stir gently to ensure all the coffee grounds are fully saturated.
- Cover the jar or pitcher with a lid and let it sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours
- The longer it steeps, the stronger and more concentrated the flavor. If you’re after a lighter brew, 12 to 16 hours should suffice. For a bolder, richer cold brew, aim for closer to 24 hours.
- After steeping, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or coffee filter to remove the grounds. For an extra-smooth brew, you can line the strainer with cheesecloth. This ensures no coffee grounds slip through.
- Your cold brew concentrate is ready! Serve it over ice, and dilute it with water or milk, depending on your taste preference.
- Add any sweeteners or syrups you like. Cold brew concentrate can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.