Making cold brew coffee with a French press

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Nowadays, cold brew coffee is a huge hit among coffee lovers. However, if you think making cold brew coffee at home is a hassle, think again. The process is actually surprisingly simple and with the right materials, such as a French press , you can make a delicious cold brewed coffee that is perfect for a hot summer day or even as a refreshing afternoon break on a busy work day. The slow extraction process of cold brew results in a coffee that is less bitter and acidic than traditionally brewed coffee.

Moreover, with cold brew coffee you can experiment endlessly by adding different flavors and additions, such as vanilla, cinnamon or even a dash of syrup. So what are you waiting for? Try making your own cold brew coffee and enjoy the refreshing taste and convenience of this trendy coffee variant.

So, if you want to know how to make cold brew coffee at home with a french press, read on!

The process

Let's start with the process. Gather your materials: a French press, ground coffee and cold water. It may vary proportionately. Are you going for a Cold Brew Concentrate that you later dilute further with milk or water? Or would you rather opt for a Cold Brew Ready To Drink that you can drink straight from your refrigerator? Both variants have a slightly different recipe and coffee:water ratio. I prefer to make RTD Cold Brew that I can easily take with me if I have to leave the house quickly.

Cold Brew Concentrate

Cold brew concentrate is a concentrated cold coffee. The result is a flavorful and concentrated coffee base that can be diluted with water or milk to taste.

If you like to drink your Cold Brew with Milk, then this is your go-to Cold Brew Recipe. For this recipe we use a 1:6 Coffee:Water ratio. Below you will understand how to do this.

1. Grind 100 grams of coarsely ground coffee beans.
2. Add the ground coffee beans to a French press.
3. Pour 600 ml of cold water over the ground coffee beans.
4. Gently stir the coffee beans and water together.
5. Place the French press in the refrigerator and let the mixture steep for 12-24 hours.
6. After the steeping time, slowly push the plunger of the French press down to separate the ground coffee beans.

The resulting coffee concentrate can be diluted to taste with water or milk of your choice.

Ready To Drink Cold Brew

Ready to drink cold brew, the name says it all, is a ready-to-drink cold coffee that you can drink immediately. With the 1:15 ratio, this means that you use 1 part coffee to 15 parts water. Read on to find out how you can make this yourself at home.

Ingredients:

• 60 grams of coarsely ground coffee
• 900 ml cold water

Instructions:

1. Add the ground coffee to the French press.
2. Add the cold water and stir briefly.
3. Place the lid on the French press, but do not push the plunger down.
4. Let the coffee steep in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.
5. After the steeping period, slowly push the plunger down to separate the coffee from the ground coffee.
6. Pour the ready to drink cold brew into a glass with ice cubes and enjoy!

Cheers to a refreshing cold brew!

Also read: The refreshing Cold Brew alternatives with the Hario Cold Brew Maker.

How long does Cold Brew last?

The good news is that cold brew coffee has a very long shelf life, even up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. This is because the brewing process reduces the acidity of the coffee and makes it less susceptible to bacteria. Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container and you'll always have great coffee on hand. If you want it cold, pour some coffee into a glass and add some ice cubes and milk.

However, we recommend using your Cold Brew coffee within 7 -10 days for optimal taste. Is your Cold Brew starting to smell a bit or is the taste a bit off? Dilute it with water and your plants will thrive ;).

Does Cold Brew Coffee Contain More Caffeine?

It is often thought that cold brew coffee contains more caffeine than hot brewed coffee. But actually the opposite is true. Because the brewing process is colder and slower, it tends to have perhaps a fuller flavor, but less caffeine.

This is because caffeine dissolves in warm water and cold brew coffee is brewed in cold water. So, if you're looking for a coffee boost, you might want to grab a hot cup of joe. Hot brewed coffee tends to have a higher concentration of caffeine, which can contribute to that desired energy level.

However, cold brew coffee offers a unique tasting experience with its slow extraction process, allowing subtle flavors to emerge. So it's a matter of personal preference and the desired effects you're looking for in your cup of coffee.

Also read: Which coffee has the most caffeine?

Experiment and adapt

What's great about making cold brew coffee with a French press is that you can use different types of coffee beans and grinds to experiment with the flavor and strength. You can even use additives like cinnamon, vanilla extract, and citrus fruits like orange or lemon to make it even tastier. It is completely up to you to discover your favorite flavor.

You can also continue to experiment with the ratios of water to coffee, the extraction period and so on. The possibilities are endless. Fortunately, it's super easy to do at home, so experiment!

If you have found a winner, let me know and I will definitely try it myself.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to properly make cold brew coffee using a French press, you can make it at home anywhere, anytime. Whether you're having a party or just having a quiet afternoon, you can always enjoy a refreshing drink with cold brewed coffee. Don't forget to experiment with different flavors and adjust it to your own personal taste. I hope this blog helped you and that you can make your own cold brew coffee soon!