Cold brew coffee is coffee that is brewed without heat. The coffee grounds are steeped in cold water for a period of time, typically 12 hours or more. The long steeping time extracts the coffee’s flavors and oils, resulting in a coffee that is less acidic and less bitter than coffee that is brewed with hot water. Many people find that cold brew coffee is easier on their stomachs and tastes smoother than regular coffee.
If you’ve never made cold brew concentrate before, don’t worry! This guide will walk you through the process so that you can enjoy delicious cold brew concentrate at home.
How to Make Cold Brew Concentrate
Making cold brew coffee concentrate at home could not be simpler! All you need is coarsely ground coffee beans, cold water, and a pitcher or Mason jar large enough to hold your desired amount of concentrate.
Just combine the grounds and water in your chosen vessel, stir it, cover it, and let it steep in the fridge overnight (or for at least 12 hours). When brewing time is up, simply strain the mixture using a cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve into another pitcher or jar, and voilà—you have homemade cold brew coffee concentrate!
Follow these simple steps below and you’ll enjoy a delicious cold brew concentrate in no time. Just remember not to overdo it on the steeping time—12-24 hours is key! Otherwise, you’ll end up with an off-tasting cup of coffee. Happy brewing!
What You’ll Need:
-1 cup of coarsely ground coffee beans
-4 cups of cold filtered water
-A French press or a glass jar with a lid
-A strainer (cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer will work)
-A glass pitcher or mason jar for storing the concentrate
Step One: Grind Your Beans
The first step is to grind your beans. You’ll want to use coarsely ground beans—if they’re ground too finely, they’ll end up over-extracting and making your coffee taste bitter.
A good rule of thumb is to grind your beans to the consistency of sea salt. Place the beans in a burr grinder or food processor and pulse until they’re the desired consistency.
Step Two: Add Beans and Water to French Press
Next, add the ground beans to your French press or glass jar. Then, add filtered water until the jar is almost full.
Stir the mixture gently until all of the grounds are saturated with water. Put the lid on your French press or screw the lid on tight if you’re using a glass jar.
Step Three: Steep Mixture for 12-24 Hours
Place your mixture in the fridge and let it steep for 12-24 hours. The longer you let it steep, the stronger your cold brew concentrate will be. If you like your coffee on the weaker side, aim for 12 hours. If you prefer a stronger cup of coffee, try steeping for 18-24 hours.
Just make sure not to steep for longer than 24 hours—after that, your cold brew will start to develop an off flavor.
Step Four: Strain Mixture
It’s finally time to strain your cold brew concentrate! Place a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer over a pitcher or mason jar and pour the mixture through it slowly. Once all of the liquid has been strained, discard the grounds and transfer your concentrate to a sealed container.
You can store it in the fridge for up to two weeks—just make sure to give it a good shake before you pour yourself a cup!
What Is Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate?
Cold brew coffee concentrate is simply coffee that has been brewed using cold water instead of hot. The brewing process takes longer than with traditional hot brew methods—anywhere from 12 to 24 hours—but the results are worth it!
Because the beans are never exposed to heat, cold brew coffee has a mellower flavor and is less acidic than its hot-brewed counterpart. It’s also said to be significantly easier on the stomach, making it a great choice for those with sensitive tummies.
Our favorite ways to enjoy Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate
Now that you have your delicious cold brew concentrate, it’s time to put it to good use! Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy this refreshing beverage:
-Diluted with milk or cream over ice for a classic iced coffee
-Spiked with your favorite alcohol for an after-dinner treat
– used as an ingredient in smoothies or baking recipes calling for coffee or espresso (try this chocolate espresso cake recipe from Smitten Kitchen)
-Added to seltzer water for a non-alcoholic twist on a spiked seltzer
Differentiating Regular Cold Brew from Cold Brew Concentrate
If you’re looking for a lower-caffeine option with a mellower flavor, then regular cold brew is probably your best bet. However, if you want a stronger-tasting iced coffee with more caffeine per serving, the cold brew concentrate is the way to go.
Regular cold brew and cold brew concentrate both have their own distinct advantages, so it’s important to know the difference before you choose which one is right for you. Here’s a quick rundown of the main differences between regular cold brew and cold brew concentrate.
Caffeine Content
One of the biggest differences between regular cold brew and cold brew concentrate is caffeine content. Because regular cold brew is made with a higher ratio of water to coffee beans, it has less caffeine per serving than cold brew concentrate.
This makes regular cold brew a great choice for those who are sensitive to caffeine or who want to enjoy a cup of iced coffee without getting an energy jolt.
Flavor
Another key difference between regular cold brew and cold brew concentrate is flavor. Cold brew concentrate is made with a higher ratio of coffee beans to water, which results in a bolder, more intense flavor.
If you like your iced coffee on the stronger side, then cold brew concentrate is probably right for you. However, if you prefer a more mellow flavor, then regular cold brew might be a better option.
Serving Size
Finally, it’s important to note that regular cold brew and cold brew concentrate differ in terms of serving size. A typical serving size for regular cold brew is 8 ounces, whereas a typical serving size for cold brew concentrate is 2 ounces.
This means that when you’re making iced coffee drinks with cold brew concentrate, you’ll need to use less than half as much as you would use if you were usingregularcoldbrew.
Getting the Perfect Cold Brew Concentrate Ratio Every Time
With cold brew, there’s no wrong answer when it comes to finding the perfect concentrate ratio. It’s all about personal preference. So start experimenting today and find the blend that’s just right for you!
If you’re a cold brew lover, you know that one of the best things about this beverage is its versatility. Whether you like your cold brew concentrate weak or strong, sweet or bitter, there’s a ratio out there that will suit your taste.
In this post, we’ll discuss the different strengths of cold brew concentrates and offer guidelines for creating your own unique blend.
Different Strengths of Cold Brew Concentrate
The strength of your cold brew concentrate will depend on the ratio of coffee to water that you use. A higher coffee-to-water ratio will result in a stronger concentrate, while a lower ratio will produce a weaker one.
The strength of your concentrate will also be affected by the grind size of your coffee beans; a coarser grind will yield a stronger drink.
Creating Your Own Concentrate Ratio
Now that you know the basics of cold brew concentrate ratios, it’s time to experiment and find the perfect blend for your tastes. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Start with a 1:4 coffee-to-water ratio. This is a good starting point for most people, but feel free to adjust as needed.
- If you like your coffee on the stronger side, increase the coffee-to-water ratio. For a weaker concentrate, decrease the amount of coffee relative to water.
- Experiment with different grind sizes to see how they affect the strength and flavor of your cold brew.
- Don’t be afraid to add other ingredients like milk, sugar, or flavoring syrups to create your perfect cup.
Top 5 Ways to Use Cold Brew Concentrate at Home
Move over, hot coffee! These days, cold brew is all the rage. Cold brew concentrate is super versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. Here are our top 5 favorite ways to use cold brew concentrate.
1. Make Iced Coffee: This one is pretty straightforward. Simply mix cold brew concentrate with water (or milk, if you prefer) over ice. Easy peasy!
2. Make Hot Coffee: Yes, you read that correctly. While cold brew concentrate is typically used to make iced coffee, you can actually use it to make hot coffee, too. Just mix the cold brew concentrate with boiling water and voila—instant hot coffee!
3. Make A Latte: If you’re looking for a little something extra, mix cold brew concentrate with milk and a touch of sweetness for a delicious cold brew latte. Yum!
4. Make Cocktails: Fancy something boozy? Mix cold brew concentrate with your liquor of choice for a caffeine-fueled cocktail sure to give you a buzz. Just be careful not to overdo it—we don’t want any accidents!
5. Baking and Cooking: Cold brew concentrate can also be used in baking and cooking recipes calling for coffee or espresso. Just remember to adjust the other ingredients accordingly since cold brew is more concentrated than regular coffee or espresso.
