How To Make Cold Brew Concentrate

Introduction

Cold brew coffee is the process of steeping coarse coffee grounds in water for an extended period of time. That time varies, but anywhere from 12-24 hours is what you normally find at your local coffee shop. There are a couple of factors that can affect the rate of extraction and hence the time needed for the coffee to steep. Some of those factors include grind size, water temperature, agitation, and even quality of water. Ultimately, your taste preferences will determine the ideal time to steep.

If you find a recipe that you absolutely love, you may want to consider purchasing a refractometer. The tool will help to measure the brewed coffee’s Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and find the strength so that you can ensure the recipe and strength is consistent. Conversely, if and when the numbers change, that could be helpful insight into issues like dull grinder burrs or inconsistent changes in the preparation.

Rest assured, making cold brew is very simple and we will show you how you can do it in the convenience of your home. You probably already have most of the items needed to get started but if not, you can easily find complete kits online or the missing items.

The main differences are the container size and material of mesh strainer bags. If you’re a cold brew enthusiast, then you may want to opt for a larger container so you have more to enjoy for a longer period of time before you have to make it again. Cold brew concentrate will last for a few weeks in the fridge. So let’s get started!

What You’ll Need

• 64oz Mason Jar (Prefer the wide mouth jar for easier cleaning.)

• 1 Fine Mesh Nylon Bag with a drawstring

• 227g of course ground Weathered Hands Coffee (always grind fresh!)

• Water (Preferably, coffee water.)

• Colander

• Large Bowl

The Perfect Cold Brew in 6 Steps

1. Prepare

   Place the nylon bag into the jar. Carefully pour the freshly ground coffee into the bag. Pull the drawstrings and cinch the bag. Then, push the bag into the jar.

2. Add Water

   Pour water into the jar being careful not to pour into the opening of the nylon bag to avoid grounds from coming out. Fill to the 64 oz line.

3. Seal & Steep

   Screw the lid on top of the jar with the drawstring hanging over the side. This will make it easy to remove the bag after steeping.

4. Brew

   You can now store the sealed jar on your kitchen countertop or in your fridge. Some folks prefer to leave it out at room temperature and some prefer the cold steep.

   You will find all over the internet various preferences and hours for brew/steep times. Keep in mind that the temperature will affect the extraction rate and the time but may yield a smoother, sweeter flavor. I encourage you to try both methods and see what you like best.

   Either way, I would start off with a 16-hour brew time and taste a little bit of the cold brew.

   If you want more coffee flavor, then wait another two hours and taste again. Repeat until you’ve found the right flavor you prefer.

5. Remove Coffee Grounds

   Once you’ve reached the ideal time, carefully remove the bag from the jar. Place into the colander sitting in a large bowl and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. This will ensure you get every last bit of cold brew concentrate! Pour the remaining remaining liquid back into the jar.

6. Storage

   Seal the jar with the lid and shake the jar to ensure the entire liquid is mixed together thoroughly. Store the concentrate in the fridge. It will last for a couple of weeks with no problem.

Serving Suggestions

Congratulations, you’ve just made some amazing cold brew concentrate! Now, you can drink it as-is for a full-bodied, sweet, velvety elixir or mix it with your favorite milk or syrup to create the best cold brew ever that rivals your local coffee shop!

If you prefer something more along the lines of your local shop, then cut your concentrate with water. The most widely accepted practice is the 50:50 ratio of concentrate to water, but again, experiment and see what works best for you!

Pro Tips

I prefer to keep it in the concentrated form because it takes up less real estate in the fridge AND it’s more versatile. You can mix the concentrate into protein shakes, milkshakes, or oatmeal, or use it in your favorite coffee cocktail!