What Is The Best Way To Cold Brew? | Hustle Coffee Guides

It's simple to mix up cold brew with iced coffee. Though both are served cold, they are prepared in completely different ways. Cold brew is essentially iced coffee, but iced coffee isn't always cold brew. There's a distinction between cold brew and iced coffee.

One creates cold brew coffee by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold or room temperature water for at least 12 up to 24 hours. This process produces smoother, less bitter, and less acidic coffee. Cold brew is usually prepared as a concentrate, which can be diluted with milk or water to the desired strength.

Iced coffee is made using hot water. It's essentially regular drip coffee made with hot water that has cooled down and then poured over ice. Unlike cold brew, iced coffee doesn't inherently reduce the acidity of hot-brewed coffee. Nevertheless, it does bring out the flavor nuances in the coffee more.

How to make cold brew for beginners?

Let's prepare homemade cold-brew coffee! It's very simple to do without any special equipment, and it's far more budget-friendly than going to the coffee shop every day.

Even more so, you can prepare a large quantity of cold brew at home, which will last you the entire week. You won't have to rush to make coffee during the hectic morning period anymore. Your ready-made drink will be there for you, giving you ample time to enjoy each sip.

Over the years, Hustle Coffee has perfected homemade cold-brew coffee. We're excited to guide you through each simple step so you can enjoy coffee shop-quality cold brew right in your own kitchen!

Coffee beans and ratio recommendations

HC suggests using coffee beans that you really enjoy! Based on your flavor preferences, you can opt for either a light or dark roast. If you're uncertain, you can choose from our Hustle Coffee Bundles to find the perfect flavor for your taste.

The cold brew method produces a milder flavor than hot coffee, resulting in lower acidity. A darker roast will impart a velvety, mellow flavor to your cold brew.

Hustle Coffee Tip: A 1:4 ratio of coffee grounds to water yields the perfect concentration. This produces a fairly strong brew that can be savored as is or diluted to taste.

The best way to make cold brew coffee

DIY-ing cold brew coffee is easy, and you don't need fancy equipment. Plus, it's much more economical than heading to the coffee shop daily. You don't need any fancy equipment for this recipe! While having a coffee bean grinder is recommended and makes the process easier, it's not essential. I can provide you with tips if you don't have one at hand.

Ingredients

1 cup of whole coffee beans (82 g), freshly ground
4 cups of water (946 mL) – filtered is the best
Additional Ingredients (optional)
One stick of cinnamon
One tablespoon of vanilla bean paste or scraped whole vanilla bean
Milk or creamer, to taste

Necessary Tools

Coffee Grinder
Mason Jars of Quart Size
Nut Milk Bag
Fine Mesh Strainer
Glass Tumblers shaped like cans
Reusable Straws

Think of the benefits: You can prepare a batch of cold brew at home and be all set for the entire week. Say goodbye to hurriedly making coffee during the frantic morning rush; it will be ready and waiting for you, giving you ample time to savor every sip.

Over the years, HC has gained extensive experience creating, experimenting with, and refining homemade cold brew coffee. Drawing from this knowledge, I'm here to guide you through the simple process, step by step, so you can enjoy a cafe-quality cold brew in your kitchen!

The only cold brew coffee recipe you will need

Making cold brew with basic kitchen items is simple and doesn't require fancy equipment! Although not essential, a coffee bean grinder would be helpful for an easier process. If you don't have one, there are some tips below.

Step 1: Grind Coffee Beans

For the best flavor, freshly ground coffee is essential, whether preparing a cold brew or an espresso. When making cold brew, coarsely ground coffee beans are the way to go

If you're grinding your beans at home, opt for the “French Press” setting. If you don't have a coffee grinder, purchase beans from your favorite coffee shop and ask them to grind them. Hustle Coffee also has a selection of pre-ground coffee beans for your convenience.

Heads up: Look for a coarsely ground preground coffee. Most are fine grounds, which are ideal for coffee machines but not for cold brewing. The fine beans will result in over-extraction, meaning a bitter cup.

Step 2: Mix Coffee Grounds with Cold Water

Put the coffee grounds in a container of your choice, and then pour cold or room-temperature water over them. Use a spoon to gently push the grounds down after adding the water to ensure they are completely soaked.

You can use various types of containers. Consider trying one of these options:

• A wide-mouth mason jar that holds slightly less water than the perfect ratio, but it's very convenient and results in a slightly more concentrated brew.
• A carafe, glass bowl, or pitcher also works.
• A French Press is very convenient because when it's time to strain, you just have to press down on the filter.

Step 3: Cover and Steep Overnight

Allow time for the coffee to work its wonders. Seal the jar, pitcher, or any other container with a lid or plastic wrap. Allow some space for expansion as the coffee grounds soak up the water. Position the container on the countertop or refrigerator, allowing it to steep for at least 12-24 hours.

Hustle Coffee Tip: 18 hours is the perfect time; the coffee has had sufficient time to brew, resulting in a rich, bold, and smooth flavor.

Step 4: Strain the Coffee Grounds

After the coffee has finished brewing, the next step is to strain it. There are multiple ways to strain the coffee grounds, which I will discuss, but the most crucial aspect of straining is using a method that can effectively catch all the grounds. Let's explore our options:

• One method involves a fine mesh sieve combined with cheesecloth or a nut milk bag. Placing the second layer of filtration on top of the sieve catches small grounds that may otherwise slip through.
• Another option is a fine mesh coffee filter, which can be purchased as a specific tool for filtering coffee or tea. This filter fits into a mason jar for brewing. However, I prefer to keep the water and coffee grounds together during brewing, so I often use it just for straining. There are also reusable coffee filters.
• A French Press can also easily strain the coffee grounds.

Once strained, cold-brew coffee should be stored in the refrigerator. It is best to use a jar or pitcher with an airtight lid. The coffee will retain its flavor in the fridge for up to one week before gradually starting to lose flavor.

Notes

• This cold brew recipe yields approximately 20 ounces of concentrated coffee. Keep in mind that when adding ice or diluting, it will make 3-4 servings.
• This recipe uses a 1:4 ratio of coffee beans to water, but feel free to adjust the recipe or ratio based on your preferences. One cup of whole coffee beans equals one cup of ground coffee.
• Pay attention to the steeping time – if it steeps for less than 12 hours, the coffee may taste diluted, while steeping for longer than 24 hours may result in a too-acidic or bitter taste (if this happens, just dilute the mixture more).

Tried and true ways to flavor cold press

Place ice in a glass and add cold brew. Finish it with creamer, milk, or sugar to your taste. If the cold brew concentrate is overpowering, dilute it with extra water.

You can enhance your cold brew with different flavors! Here are a couple of options for hustlers like you:

• You can add flavor by adding vanilla syrup, one tablespoon of vanilla bean paste, or a split vanilla bean pod to the grounds before brewing.
• Popping cinnamon sticks to the coffee grounds before brewing will give a hint of warm cinnamon in your cold brew. Using the cinnamon stick several times makes it more cost-effective.
• For a touch of sweetness, pour a little dollop of maple syrup into your glass, add cold brew, and stir to combine.
• To flavor your cold brew, just like iced lattes, experiment with different syrups such as caramel, lavender, autumn spice, rosemary simple, or almond syrup.
• To prevent further dilution from regular ice cubes, use coffee ice cubes. Simply pour leftover cold brew or coffee into an ice cube tray, freeze, and use as needed.

Enjoy a cup of cold brew Hustle Coffee. Pick from our selection of four flavors to power up your day!