Cold brew coffee has become one of the most popular coffee drinks in the world, and for good reason. Its naturally smooth, low-acid, sweet flavor makes it incredibly approachable and refreshing, especially in the Texas heat. And the best part is that it is incredibly simple to make at home.
Why Cold Brew Tastes Different
Cold brew is not just iced coffee. When you brew coffee with cold water over an extended period (typically 12-24 hours), you extract different compounds than hot brewing. Cold water extracts the sweet and smooth compounds while leaving behind many of the bitter and acidic ones. The result is a coffee concentrate that is about 67% less acidic than hot-brewed coffee.
The Basic Recipe
Our recommended cold brew ratio is 1:8 (coffee to water by weight). For a standard batch, use 100 grams of coarsely ground coffee to 800 grams (or milliliters) of cold, filtered water. The grind should be very coarse -- think the texture of raw sugar or breadcrumbs. Too fine a grind will result in over-extraction and a bitter, muddy concentrate.
Step-by-Step Process
Coarsely grind your coffee. Place the grounds in a large jar, French press, or dedicated cold brew maker. Pour cold, filtered water over the grounds and stir gently to ensure all grounds are saturated. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 18-24 hours. We find 20 hours to be the sweet spot for our cold brew blend.
After steeping, strain the concentrate through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth, or use your French press plunger. The resulting liquid is a concentrate that should be diluted with water, milk, or your preferred liquid at a 1:1 ratio before drinking.
Tips for the Best Cold Brew
- Use freshly roasted coffee -- stale beans produce flat cold brew
- Filtered water makes a noticeable difference
- Do not steep for more than 24 hours or the brew becomes bitter
- The concentrate keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks
- Try adding a pinch of salt to the concentrate -- it reduces bitterness and enhances sweetness
- For a creamier texture, try adding a splash of oat milk
Our Cold Brew Blend
At SA Artisan Roasting, we developed a specific blend for cold brewing. It features Brazilian beans for body and sweetness, Colombian beans for balance, and a touch of Ethiopian for complexity. We roast it to a medium level that optimizes the sweet, chocolatey notes that cold brewing extracts so beautifully. You can purchase our Cold Brew Blend online or at our roastery.