Perfect Homemade French Press Cold Brew Coffee
When the days get warmer, it’s time for cold brew coffee. It’s super easy to make, and you don’t need any fancy equipment: only a French press. Learn the best tips and tricks for making the perfect cold brew at home every time by steeping it overnight in the refrigerator using a French press.
Ingredients
- ¾-1 cups coarsely ground coffee beans (medium or dark roast recommended)
- 4 cups cool, filtered water
Instructions
- Place coffee grounds in the bottom of a French press.
- Fill the French press halfway with cold water and stir to saturate the coffee grounds. Add the rest of the water, leaving enough room for the lid to sit on top with the mesh filter pulled up.
- Stir the coffee and water again and put the lid on the French press with the plunger pulled all the way up. Place in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours (18 hours is recommended for optimal flavor).
- Slowly depress the plunger to filter the coffee.
- Serve cold brew coffee concentrate in a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio with milk, water, chocolate milk, hot cocoa, flavored creamer, or any other beverage you want.
- Store any remaining concentrate in airtight jar, bottle, or pitcher in the fridge for 7-10 days.
RECIPE NOTES
- If using finely ground coffee, drape a coffee filter over the mouth of the French press before you depress the plunger to keep the smaller grinds from sneaking through.
- Store cold brew concentrate in a bottle pitcher, or empty French press (coffee grounds removed) for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
- You can also make cold brew by leaving the French press out on the counter overnight. Doing it in the fridge means your cold brew concentrate is nice and cold in the morning, perfect for iced coffee. But you don't have to put it in the fridge if it won't fit or you plan to use it for hot coffee.