Cold-brewed coffee may take a while to make, but when you taste how smooth it is without the harsh bitterness, you're going to understand that it is worth the wait! Super easy to make at home, it costs way less than what you would pay for at your local coffee shop. It makes the perfect cup of coffee, whether you enjoy it hot or on ice!
Add the coarse-ground coffee to a French press coffee maker. Add the filtered water.
Stir the coffee grounds and water until well mixed.
Cover French press with plastic wrap. If using the French press lid, make sure the plunger is all the way up. Set coffee aside to brew for 12 hours at room temperature or up to 18 hours in the refrigerator.
Push French press plunger down to separate the grounds from the coffee. Pour coffee into a bottle and store in the refrigerator until ready to drink. Coffee will be good for 1 week in the fridge.
Bottle/Jar:
Combine coarse-ground coffee and water in a jar. Stir well. Cover with a lid.
Set coffee aside to brew for 12 hours at room temperature or up to 18 hours in the refrigerator.
Pour coffee through a cheesecloth-lined funnel or sieve into a bottle. The cheesecloth will filter out any coffee grounds poured from the jar. Store cold-brewed coffee in the refrigerator.
Simple Syrup:
Boil water in a kettle and measure out the appropriate amount into a bowl.
Add the sugar and stir continuously until it is completely dissolved and the syrup is clear.
Set aside to cool. Store in a jar or container in the refrigerator.
Notes
1 cup of coffee beans = approximately 1 cup coarse ground
Use whatever type of coffee bean you prefer.
If you are using coffee that is already ground, make sure it is coarse-ground, also sometimes referred to as a "French press grind".
Brew your coffee at room temperature for 12-14 hours, in the refrigerator for 16-18 hours. Any longer than those times and your coffee will start to take on bitterness.
Keep cold-brewed coffee in a bottle in the fridge for about 1 week.
Serving the cold-brew over ice will dilute it slightly as the ice melts.
Add milk to your cold-brew for some creaminess and also some dilution.
To make a stronger coffee concentrate for diluting with ice cubes or milk, increase the ratio of coffee to water, perhaps 2 cups ground coffee to 4 cups water.