The Best Answer:
Use less coffee to start, or more ice to dilute it. There are many cold brew recipes out there and there’s no “one size fits all” formula for the best one. But thanks to modern cold brewing techniques, we’ve got a much better idea of what works now than when people were mixing pounds of ground coffee with gallons of water and letting it sit overnight.
Cold brew coffee is often praised for its smooth taste and clean finish.
Making a cup is as simple as adding ground beans to water, putting it in the fridge, and leaving it for 12 hours or more! That being said, there are some tips and tricks you can use to make your drink and your experience much better!
1. Use The Right Grind
A coarser grind will leave you with a more sedimentary coffee, while a finer grind will create a smoother beverage. A general rule is that you should use between 130 and 140 grams of coffee per liter of water.
2. Good Quality Coffee Beans
Use beans that were roasted at least one week before you bought them so they haven’t come into contact with anything else on their journey to your cupboard.
Taste is everything, so always make sure you’re buying the best beans you can find. Poor quality coffee won’t give you the same great taste as top of the line beans.
Related Article: Best Coffee for Cold Brew.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
3. Set Things Correctly
Tip three is to set things up correctly to avoid sedimentation in your final drink. Cold brew extract can get murky if it’s not handled properly.
Don’t shake the cold brew concentrate and be careful not to disturb the grounds of your filter, as this could cause some cloudy coffee when you go to enjoy your cup.
Related Article: How to Clean The Cold Brew Coffee Filter.
4. Add The Beans to The Water
The fourth tip, is to let your beans come into contact with the water they’re going to be brewed with before you start brewing.
This is known as “blooming” and it’s done to help the coffee absorb some of the flavor from the water.
5. Caffeine Levels
Tip five is to keep a close eye on your caffeine levels. That’s right, too much caffeine can give you an energy jolt, but too much will also get in the way of that relaxing feeling you’re looking for.
Related: What happens if you drink too much caffeine?
6. Brew At Least 12 Hours
Tip six is to aim for a brew time of at least 12 hours. If you feel like the brew is too strong for you or if it’s not strong enough, consider allowing your coffee to sit in the water bath longer.
7. Add Flavors
Tip seven is to experiment with adding different flavors and syrups to your coffee. The options are almost endless, like hot chocolate with vanilla, white mocha or hazelnut.
Check here how to make your cold brew taste sweeter!
8. Make The Most Out Of Your Equipment
Don’t let anything go to waste and try to make your brew last as long as possible by storing it in a sealed container in the fridge.
Related Article: Best Cold Brew Coffee Makers!
9. Drink It As It Is
Tip nine is to drink cold brew coffee as it is, or after a few minutes in the fridge. If you want to make sure it stays nice and cold for longer, blend in ice cubes, coffee ice cubes or frozen fruit!
10. Give It Some Spotlight!
Tip ten is to make sure you give cold brew its time in the spotlight. Don’t take this at face value and mix it with milks or cream just yet! Try it black for a few times and if you still don’t like the taste add extra flavors.
11. Check Your Grind Size
Always think about the size of your drink. A lot of recipes will tell you to divide your finished product into equal portions. Try to vary the amount of coffee to water ratio until you get the taste you’re looking for.
12. Keep A Cool Head
Don’t drink more than you would like, even if two people have made it in front of you. You don’t want to be left with an extra cup after everyone is done!
13. Don’t Make The Same Drink Immediately!
You know the feeling of being so tired and satisfied that you just want to close your eyes and snuggle up in bed? Well, that’s how a good cold brew should make you feel.
14. Be Careful With The Freezing
Don’t freeze your cold brew unless you want it completely frozen. This has nothing to do with making iced coffee with beans and hot water. If you concentrate in an icy environment, you’ll have some watered down, weak tasting coffee in your cup and the aftertaste will be similar to water!
15. Don’t Decide Too Quickly
You might be tired, so you might make a mistake while measuring out the ingredients. Take a little while to think things through before you start making another cup of cold brew!
16. Don’t Drink It Without Food In The Morning!
Lastly, don’t let your cold brew be the only thing you have for breakfast. It’s strong enough that if you try to use it as your only nutrition source, you might end up feeling a bit sick.
Frequently Asked Questions: FAQ
What is the best ratio for cold brew coffee?
The best ratio is between 180 to 200 grams of coffee per liter of water. It will depend on how strong you like your drink. If you use a finer grind, then use more water.
What should I look for in cold brew coffee?
You should look for a rich taste and a nice aroma. The smooth taste will be one of the first things you’ll notice about your cold brew once you take a sip. Giving it time to sit on your countertop will help it develop, so try not to rush it!
Is 12 hours enough for cold brew?
It depends on the grind and how strong you like your drink. You can always use a coarser grind and let it sit for longer, or vice versa.
How much cold brew should I drink?
You can drink 1 or 2 cups, but if you go for the maximum amount, it’s best to do so gradually. Try to drink your cup in one day and don’t feel too bad if you don’t make it all.
How to serve cold brew coffee?
Cold brew is best served on ice. If you have a blender, then try adding some ice along with some fruit. This will give the beverage a unique texture and flavor profile!
Last Thoughts
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to cold brew tips and tricks. It’s my hope that nobody reading this has to make cold brew coffee with the same methods they’ve always used.
The world of cold brew is full of variety, so there’s no need to stick with the same recipes and methods, when you can try out something new and maybe more useful for you, giving you more taste and professionalism in your cold brew process and final cup!
Evelina
Evelina’s passion for coffee could never been hidden. Having worked as a barista, she learned the true value of the coffee bean and its secrets. As she continued to evolve as a barista, so did her knowledge, techniques on making different coffee blends and most importantly how to operate every kind of gear when it comes to coffee. Having a degree in biomedicine and being a barista, allows her to provide our community with in-depth knowledge surrounding the topics of coffee.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!