Slightly sweet yet wonderfully rich and smooth, cold brew has gained particular popularity in recent years (even though it’s been around for centuries!). It’s more than just another coffee shop menu option, it’s a whole different coffee experience.
Find out all about how cold brew is made and some common questions coffee lovers have about this unique drink.
What is Cold Brewed Coffee?
Don’t let the name deceive you; cold brew and iced coffee are not the same thing. This is to say that there’s a little bit more going on with cold brew than it simply being cold coffee – in fact, cold brew coffee isn’t even always cold!
The name comes from the brewing method. Cold brew is made when coarse coffee grounds are steeped in cold water for quite a lengthy period, usually somewhere between 18 to 24 hours, depending on the strength of flavour you want.
This method of extraction results in a smooth drink with less acidity. When the cold brew concentrate is made, it can be combined with water and/or milk.
How is Cold Brew Coffee Made?
Making cold brew is fairly simple. All that’s required is coarse coffee grounds, cold water and the patience to leave it infusing overnight. The idea is that you leave the coffee grounds to steep and infuse the water. Here, flavours are extracted by time, where usually they’re extracted by heat.
Once the coffee and water mixture has been left in the fridge for the requisite time, it is filtered to remove the coffee grounds, leaving you with a coffee brew concentration. This concentrate is the base for cold brew drinks and tends to be diluted to suit different preferences.
Depending on the coffee-to-water ratio, some cold brew recipes may also be ready to drink as is rather than requiring dilution (i.e. a similar ratio to when preparing hot coffee). However, the benefit of making cold brew concentrate is that it’s easier to make in bigger batches and can provide the base for more drinks.
How Do You Make Cold Brewed Coffee at Home?
Because of its easy brewing method, cold brew is great to make for yourself at home, especially if you’re a lover of slightly sweeter, less acidic coffee flavours.
- Coarsely grind a batch of coffee beans (or you can use pre-ground coffee).
- Add the ground coffee to a sterilised jar with a lid with around a 1:8 ratio of coffee to water, pouring the cold water over the coffee.
- Gently stir the coffee mixture before covering the jar with a lid and leaving it to steep in the fridge for 18-24 hours.
- Stir the mixture again and pour it through a funnel lined with coffee filter paper or cheesecloth into another clean jar. You could also filter the coffee with a French press.
- Dilute the cold brew with water or milk to taste.
- Store the rest of the cold brew concentrate in the fridge for up to two weeks.
The Best Coffee For Cold Brew
Medium and dark roasts tend to work best for cold brews as they can provide the best quality of flavour and aroma from this brewing method. Single origin coffee also tends to be preferable to a blend as it allows you to highlight the specific characteristics of traditional cold brew flavours, fully embracing the hints of sweetness and reduced acidity.
Can You Make Cold Brew Coffee With Instant Coffee?
While you could prepare a drink with instant coffee and cold water, it would not be a true cold brew. This is because instant coffee has already been brewed (in the traditional way with hot water) before being dried into granules. Therefore, the extraction has already taken place, so you will not end up with the characteristic flavours of cold brewing.
How Long Does Cold Brewed Coffee Last?
Homemade cold brew coffee will generally last around 1-2 weeks when kept in an air-tight container in the fridge. Any longer, and it will start tasting stale and more acidic. Beyond considering taste and smell, you should also discard your cold brew for a fresh batch if you notice it starts changing colour or sediment starts to accumulate.
Does Cold Brew Coffee Have More Caffeine?
Along with its easy brewing method and unique flavour profile, another potential benefit of cold brew is that it typically has more caffeine than hot brewed coffee.
The longer brewing time allows for a more intensive extraction, providing up to three times more caffeine than coffee brewed with other methods. Cold brew also tends to be of a higher concentration when served, giving you that punchier caffeine kick.
Can I Heat Up Cold Brew Coffee?
Yes! Again, the name has more to do with the brewing method rather than a hard and fast recommendation for serving. While cold brew is commonly enjoyed over ice or as a cooling refresher in summer, you can enjoy it warm, providing you heat it up correctly.
For hot cold brew, it’s generally best to dilute your regular cold brew concentrate with hot water. This will allow you to retain the smooth, sweet qualities of a traditional cold brew.
What is Cold Brew Nitro Coffee?
Nitro coffee is a variety of coffee (cold brew is most commonly used) that has been infused with nitrogen gas. This adds tiny bubbles into the drink, resulting in an extra smooth, velvety texture with a foamy top layer. The texture is often likened to that of draft beer.
This process of adding nitrogen does not change the taste or favourable qualities of cold brew.
Want to find out more about some of the other types of coffee out there? Check out our guide below; as a nationwide cafe franchise, we’re always keen to learn more with our fellow coffee lovers!
