Save your money and make delicious, naturally sweet cold brew iced coffee at home using your french press.
Raise your hand if you’re excited about iced coffee season! Holllaaaa. I mean, if we’re being honest here I drink iced coffee year round even when it’s 20 degrees out.
When I’m at a coffee shop, I’m either drinking espresso over ice or an iced latte. However, at home, my absolute favorite coffee to drink is cold brew. You don’t need to shell out your hard-earned savings for fancy store-bought cold brew. Instead, you can use a french press to make incredible iced coffee that will power you through the summer.
Why does cold brew taste different?
With cold brew, the beans are never heated which means some of the compounds in the roasted coffee bean are not extracted during the cold brewing process. Cold brewing still extracts many of the delicious flavors and compounds as well as the caffeine, without as many of the bitter ones. Some coffee experts argue that you need to heat the bean to get the full flavor, but honestly, I think it comes down to a matter of taste preference. If you enjoy a naturally sweeter, less acidic cup then cold brew is meant for you.
Cold brew also has less acid, which is great for anyone who has a sensitive stomach and can’t normally drink regular coffee because of it.
How to Make Cold Brew Using a French Press
In 2014, when I was living on my own in New Jersey I didn’t live near any good coffee shops. I know. It was dark times. However, it forced me to get creative in the kitchen when it came to my coffee. I realized then, I could use my beloved french press to not only brew hot coffee but also cold brew!
The only things you have to change are the temperature of the water, the ratio of coffee to water, and finally the length of time you brew your coffee. Because you can brew cold brew for 12-24 hours it’s pretty much like using a crockpot where you do a little work ahead of time, and then boom fresh delicious cold brew is waiting for you.
Step one:
- Measure your beans – use the ratio 4 tablespoons of coffee to every 6 oz of water
- To make two strong cups (which will be poured over ice and eventually dilute) I use 8 tablespoons of coffee and 12 oz of water, you can start with this ratio and tweak as you go according to how strong you like your coffee
Step two:
- Grind your beans coarsely
Step 3:
- Add the grinds into your french press
Step 4:
- Add water (12 oz if you’re using 8 tablespoons of coffee)
- If you can, use filtered water. Water quality can affect your final product
Step 5:
- Let brew for 12-24 hours, I prefer brewing mine on the longer side so I make it in the morning after I’ve had my coffee. You can brew it at room temperature and once you’ve plunged, store it in the fridge for up to a week.
Step 6:
- After waiting 12-24 hours, plunge your coffee and pour over ice
Your Turn
- Iced or hot coffee?
- Have you tried cold brew before?
JOIN THE SQUAD
Get bonus podcast mini episodes, ramblings & reflections that aren't on the blog and lots of fun goodies in your inbox