How to Make Cold Brew with a French Press

Let’s deep dive into how to make cold brew with a French press, If you’ve ever tried cold brew coffee, you will surely agree with us when we say that it is absolutely fantastic. Cold brew coffee is a lot like iced coffee but it is brewed without the use of heat. Ground coffee is stored in chilly water and gets all the rich taste. You’ll also find cold brew coffee to be way less acidic. Less acidity allows you to fully experience the magnificent flavors of coffee that you’ve been missing out on by drinking traditional hot brewed coffee.

The only drawback that you’ll face after becoming a fan of cold brew coffee is that it is not affordable for your everyday coffee desires if you buy it ready to drink. UNLESS you can make your own cold brew coffee at home with a French press. Yep, that’s right, today we will be showing you how to make cold brew with a French press.

What is Cold Brew?

Cold brew is a coffee that is brewed with cold water over a long period of time, usually 12-24 hours. It is a smooth and less acidic coffee than traditional coffee because the cold water extracts fewer oils and acids from the coffee grounds. The result is a coffee that is less bitter and has a sweeter taste.

What is a French Press?

A French press is a coffee maker that uses a plunger and a metal mesh filter to brew coffee. It is a simple and inexpensive coffee maker that is popular among coffee enthusiasts because it allows them to control the brewing process.

Do You Need a Special Coffee Maker for Cold Brew Coffee?

The straightforward answer is no. You don’t need a special device to make cold brew coffee. A French press coffee maker should be able to do the job very well. However, there are dozens of cold brew special products out there that can make a cold brew for you. Since French Press is more common, we will only be using it for our today’s guide. Moreover, making cold brew coffee with a French Press is anything but hard. The process is quite simple. Let us begin!

Tips for Making the Perfect Cold Brew

Use coarsely ground coffee beans:

Coarsely ground coffee beans will make a better cold brew than finely ground coffee beans. Finely ground coffee beans can make the cold brew too bitter and over-extracted.

Use cold water:

Use cold water to make cold brew. Hot water can make the coffee too bitter and over-extracted.

Steep for at least 12 hours:

Steep the coffee for at least 12 hours, but you can leave it for up to 24 hours for a stronger coffee.

Use a 1:3 coffee-to-water ratio:

Use a 1:3 coffee-to-water ratio to make the perfect cold brew. For example, for one cup of cold brew, you will need 1/3 cup of coffee beans and 1 cup of water.

Making Cold Brew Coffee with a French Press

First thing’s first, you’ll have to start with the coffee ground. Which type of coffee is best for cold brew, you ask? Well, any type would work but it is best that you go for coarse ground coffee. Once you have that, follow the instructions given below.

Add 6 Oz/168 grams of coarsely ground coffee into the French Press.
Fill the rest of your French Press with 3 cups of cold water.
Start stirring and get all the coffee at the bottom wet.
Leave the solution for 15 hours at room temperature.
Once the timer is over, push on the top of the French press.
Separate your cold brew concentrate into another container.
Dilute with water/cream and ice as per your taste. The less strong you want it to be, the more water/cream you should add.
Enjoy your cold brew coffee!

Remember to shift the concentrate from the French Press to another container and put it in the fridge. Your leftover cold brew coffee will stay good for around 7-10 days in the refrigerator. Do NOT store it at room temperature if you don’t want your cold brew spoiled.

Making Hot Coffee from Cold Brew

Another way to enjoy your cold brew coffee is to make it hot. Yes, you can mix half water and half concentrate then microwave it for a minute or two. Add whatever you want to make it taste even better. Coldbrew usually goes great with cream, lavender sauce, sugar, etc. You can also add a variety of syrups, such as salted caramel, to your cold brew to further enhance its taste.

Benefits of Cold Brew Coffee

Now that you know how to make cold brew coffee with a French Press, we thought why not give you a brief insight into the benefits that cold brew stores for you. We all know this coffee has become popular in the last few years. What many people do not know is that cold brew coffee holds several advantages for them. Here are some of those advantages!

1. Boosted Metabolism

Your body’s metabolism is the reason why you have enough energy to carry out your daily life tasks. Like normal coffee, cold brew contains a good deal of caffeine. Caffeine can raise your metabolism significantly. It gives you a boost of energy if taken in proper doses.

2. No Stomach Aches

Normal hot coffee is a threat to people with tummy issues. Due to its acidity, people with a not-so-strong gut are not able to handle it and their bellies start aching. With cold brew it is different. Cold-brew is known to be way less acidic than your normal cup of coffee. Moreover, the cold brew tastes equally fantastic even if you add only a mild coffee flavor to it. Therefore, it is a perfect coffee for all kinds of people.

3. Easy to Make

One of the biggest benefits you get out of being a cold brew lover is that cold brew is very easy to make. And we showed that to you above! All you have to do is let it sit overnight. You’ll find your concentrate ready before 15 hours. No hassle!

4. Tastes Better

Unlike normal hot coffee that unleashes its flavor after being boiled in hot water, cold brew coffee sits for hours in normal water. This way the flavors mix with the water and tastes significantly better. You’ll also find cold brew coffee to be less bitter. Moreover, it is a perfect drink for the hot summer days to get a chilled sensation.

5. Mood Lifter

The caffeine in cold brew coffee gives you the advantage of positive thoughts. It boosts your mood and lowers your chances of depression and anxiety. So, if you can get yourself a cup of cold brew in the morning, rest assured your day will likely be a good one. It would enable you to have a good focus on your professional as well as personal goals due to having a good mood. In this way, it will increase your productivity and enhance your mental peace.

6. Cost-effective

Making a cold brew with a French press is a cost-effective way to enjoy delicious coffee at home. Unlike other coffee brewing methods that require expensive equipment, all you need is a French press and some coffee beans.

7. Health benefits

Cold brew coffee has been shown to have some health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. This is because cold-brew coffee contains more antioxidants and less caffeine than hot-brewed coffee.

8. Convenient

Making a cold brew with a French press is a convenient way to enjoy coffee at any time. Once you make a batch of cold brew, you can store it in the fridge and enjoy it whenever you want.

9. Versatile

Cold brew can be enjoyed in many ways, such as over ice, with milk or cream, or even as a base for cocktails. By making cold brew with a French press, you can experiment with different flavors and find your perfect cup of coffee

Conclusion

Making cold brew is simple and easy with a French Press. With our guide, you can help yourself and make a nice tasting cup of cold brew and save yourself a trip to Starbucks. If you’re a newbie, we guarantee you won’t resist becoming a fan of cold brew after having your first cup. Cheers to all cold brew-loving folks!

For further information, you can also check out some of the best YouTube tutorials on how to make cold brew with French Press.

FAQs

How long can I store the cold brew in the fridge?

You can store the cold brew in the fridge for up to one week. After one week, the coffee may start to lose its flavor.

Can I make hot coffee with a French press?

Yes, you can use a French press to make hot coffee. Simply use hot water instead of cold water and follow the same steps.

Do I need to use a filter paper?

Using filter paper is optional. If you find that there are still some coffee grounds in the coffee after pressing the plunger down, you can use filter paper to remove them.

Can I make a cold brew without a French press?

Yes, you can make cold brew without a French press. You can use a mason jar, a pitcher, or any other container that can hold coffee and water.

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