Brewing the perfect cold brew coffee
As days get longer, and temperatures start to rise, a glass of freshly made cold brew is the perfect refreshment to keep your energy up through warm summer afternoons. Since we’re in the business of crafting America’s best home-brewed coffee—both hot and iced—we’ve got a few tips to set you up for cold-brew success.
STEP 1
Grab the Perfect Cameron’s Blend
Our Roastmaster, Patrick, recommends using a medium or dark roast like Donut Shop, Velvet Moon, or our Cold Brew Blend; or add a little flavor with Vanilla Hazelnut Cold Brew Blend or Sea Salt Caramel Cold Brew Blend. Since acidity and fruitiness soften in darker roasts, and cold brewing tends to mellow those flavors, even more, these blends will yield that perfectly smooth, rich cold-brew flavor we’re after.
STEP 2
KEEP IT COARSE
When it comes to grind, a good rule of thumb is to go a little coarser than you would for your drip coffee maker. Cold-brew steeps for 12 hours or more, so a finer grind will over-extract the coffee, causing some bitterness. A coarser grind will keep the coffee as smooth and delicious as it’s meant to be.
STEP 3
MEASURE YOUR INGREDIENTS
Our general rule: one gallon of room-temperature water to one pound of ground coffee. For 4 cups of water, use a quarter pound of beans. Here’s a handy table:
1 gallon (16 cups) = 1 lb (16 oz)
1/2 gallon (8 cups) = 1/2 lb (8 oz)
1/4 gallon (4 cups) = 1/4 lb (4 oz)
STEP 4
MIX IT UP
Pour the grounds and the water into a large, clean vessel, like a mason jar or even your French Press. If you’re looking to streamline the process, consider purchasing a toddy system like this one.
STEP 5
Wait patiently
Stick your mixture in the fridge and give it a good 12-14 hours to steep. Overnight will work, but it may not be as rich and flavorful as coffee steeped for the full 12-14 hours. Once steeped, strain it through a coffee filter or cheesecloth.
STEP 6
ENJOY YOUR BREW
Your finished product is a concentrate and packs twice the caffeine punch as a standard cup of coffee, so we recommend diluting it 50-50 with cold water or an additive of your choice. Serve it over ice—preferably on a sunny patio with friends and family.
