Making Cold Brew at Home: A Slow and Rewarding Process

Cold brew isn’t a quick fix—it’s a slow, patient craft. The smooth, naturally sweet flavors that cold brew is known for come from time, not heat. And while we recommend grabbing a bottle of our ready-to-drink cold brew if you’re local, we know it’s not an option for everyone. If you’d like to make your own, we’re here to walk you through it!

What You’ll Need for Home Made Cold Brew

• A Clean Brewing Vessel:  Almost anything will work—a large mason jar, a French press, or a dedicated cold brew maker like a Toddy system.
• Coffee:  We recommend freshly grinding our Sunrise Harvest blend for its smooth, balanced, and naturally sweet profile, but any coffee bean can make excellent cold brew. 
• Filtered Water:  Water is the silent hero behind every great cold brew. If possible, use filtered water so your coffee’s true character shines through.

Water-to-Coffee Ratio

Cold brew is made as a concentrate, which means a stronger ratio of coffee to water. A good starting point is 1:8 — for about a liter of cold brew, use 125g of coffee and 1000g (1L) of water. You can then adjust from there based on your taste preferences.

Grind Size Matters

For cold brew, doing a coarse grind is best, similar to what you’d use for a French press. This helps extract flavor slowly over time without over-extracting bitter notes. If you’re using a blade grinder or are unsure about your grind size, check out our guide to coffee grinders for more details. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re happy to help!

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Clean your equipment: Make sure everything is thoroughly washed before brewing.
2. Weigh out and grind your coffee: Coarse grind, 125 grams of coffee for a liter of water.
3. Add coffee to your brewing vessel.
4. Optional Bloom: Pour about double the weight of your coffee in water (e.g. 250g of water for 125g of coffee), let it sit for a minute or 2 to release carbon dioxide, then continue adding the rest of the water.
5. Pour filtered water: Slowly add in the rest of the water, ensuring all grounds are saturated.
6. Stir: Make sure all the coffee is fully immersed and there are no pockets of dry coffee.
7. Let it brew in the fridge: Cold brew takes time — cover and let it sit in the fridge for about 12–14 hours. 
8. Filter your cold brew: Use a paper filter for a lighter, cleaner cup, or a cheesecloth for a fuller, more textured body.
9. Dilute & Enjoy: Add water or milk at about a 2:1 ratio. Serve over ice.
10. Storage: Cold brew keeps in the fridge for about 2 weeks (though it is usually well-enjoyed by then!).

The Journey of Cold Brew

Every batch of cold brew is an opportunity to refine your method. Experiment with brew times, grind sizes, and dilution ratios to find what works for you. After all, coffee is a journey of curiosity—each measured pour is an invitation to savor the adventure.

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