How to Make Cold Brewed Coffee in a French Press

Whether you've been ordering toddy lattes for years or you just caught onto the craze that is cold-brewed coffee, you may be wondering how to bring the magic of cold brew coffee home. I'll let you in on a little secret: it's extremely easy. If you can make hot coffee, you can make cold brew coffee. I would even say it's easier than hot coffee, with more wiggle room for temperatures and brew time.

What is cold brew coffee?

It's exactly what it sounds like: coffee brewed cold (or at room temperature -- just not hot). Toddy Cafe says "time replaces heat". Instead of pulling the coffee flavor out using hot water, a (much) longer brewing time and lower temperatures, produce a coffee concentrate that is perfect for anything you want to add some coffee flavor to: iced coffees, baked goods, or just trying out a new flavor for coffee.

How to make cold brew coffee in a french press

To make 32 oz. cold brew coffee, you'll need:

• 10 tablespoons* ground coffee: Make sure the coffee is ground to the appropriate size for your french press. Experiment with different kinds of coffee -- the flavor is often drastically different than it's hot brew counterpart. I'm using Batdorf and Bronson's Kenya Kiangoi this time.
• 32 ounces* cold or room temperature water: Obviously the most important thing for cold brew coffee is that you do not use hot water. Filtered water will make sure that you're tasting the true flavor of the coffee once it's brewed.
• 32+ ounce French Press: You can do this same process in a smaller or larger french press and even in a different vessel than a french press. Change the ratios* according to the amount of coffee you'd like to make. If you are planning on making cold brew in something other than a french press (or dedicated cold brew coffee maker, such as a Filtron), you will need something that will allow the coffee grounds to steep in water and then filter them out after the brew process is done. 

*The ratios in this post are loosely based on a 1:6 ratio of coffee to water that is used for hot brew coffee. Experiment with your ratios, if you'd like. Since cold brew coffee is a concentrate and can be very strong err on the side of less when scooping coffee (which is what I have done here, with a slightly less than 1:6 ratio)

Directions:

1. Add 10 tablespoons (or 5 coffee scoops) to your french press.
2. Pour 32 ounces of cold or room temperature water into the french press. The water should become brown right away and a layer of coffee grounds will likely sit at the top of the french press. 
3. Put the whole french press in the refrigerator (or leave it on the counter for a room temperature brew). Let the coffee steep 24-36 hours. Experiment with different times to see what you like best.
4. After the brew time is complete, push down the filter of the french press. The coffee can be stored in the french press, if needed, but I usually like to pour it into another container so I can start on my next batch right away! Unlike hot coffee, cold brew coffee will keep its flavor up to two weeks, if stored in the fridge. 
5. Enjoy! Drink the coffee straight over ice, in a latte (either warmed or kept cool), or whatever else you want to use your coffee for. Be aware that cold brew coffee is a a coffee concentrate and is stronger than the same amount of hot brewed coffee -- a little bit goes a long way.

Cold brew coffee is my favorite way to drink coffee in the summer time. There's no melted ice or fighting through that warm cup o' joe. Plus, cold brew coffee is sweeter and less bitter so it's perfect for when you want some light, cool, and refreshing on a hot summer day.

With so many different ways to make and drink coffee, there are endless possibilities of combinations and I want to hear your favorites! Leave a comment of your favorite cold brew drink or just coffee drink in general. I can't wait to read them!

For an even cleaner cold brew coffee taste, try out a cold brew coffee maker!