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French Press Cold Brew is a delightful method of crafting a deliciously smooth and rich coffee, that’s perfect for warmer weather. This process allows for the coffee to extract its unique flavor profile, producing a full-bodied and less acidic taste that is distinct from traditional hot-brewed coffee.
Can you make cold brew with a French press?
Yes, you can definitely make cold brew with a French press. In fact, using a French press to make cold brew is a popular and convenient method. The French press, with its elegant design and simple functionality, is a perfect companion for creating this delectable drink.
The coffee and cold water are added to the press, stirred gently to ensure that all the grounds are wet, and then allowed to steep. Once the steeping period is complete, the plunger of the French press is used to separate the coffee grounds from the liquid, leaving behind a smooth, silky coffee that is perfect for serving over ice or with milk or cream.
Equipment Needed
- Coffee Grider (optional) – To make cold brew coffee, it’s essential to have coffee grounds that are coarsely ground to ensure optimal flavor extraction. You have two options: grind the coffee yourself to a medium-coarse consistency or purchase pre-ground coffee. While a handheld coffee mill is a viable option, it can take significantly longer to grind the amount of coffee required for cold brew. An electric grinder is often the easiest and most efficient choice, as it can process larger quantities of coffee quickly and efficiently, producing grounds that are perfect for making a delicious cold brew.
- French Press – A French press is a type of coffee brewing device that consists of a cylindrical glass or stainless-steel container with a plunger and a metal or nylon mesh filter. Any French press will work, but a 34-ounce one is best for making cold brew.
Best Coffee for Cold Brew
Dark roast coffee is a popular choice for French press cold brew coffee because it typically has a bold, robust flavor profile that stands up well to the extended steeping process. In addition to its flavor profile, dark roast coffee is also less acidic than lighter roasts. The extended steeping process can result in a more acidic brew if a lighter roast coffee is used. If you prefer lighter roast coffee then you may want to try Chemex Iced Coffee.
French Press Cold Brew Ratio
The ratio of coffee to water in a French press is distinct from the standard cold brew ratio. To achieve the same level of strength in a cold brew concentrate, you will require a greater amount of coffee when brewing with a French press as opposed to Mason Jar Cold Brew. Whether you want to dilute the concentrate or not is entirely up to your taste preferences.
- Coffee to water ratio – To make French press cold brew, you will require a coffee-to-water ratio of 2:3.5. This equates to using 2 cups of coarsely ground coffee and 3 ½ cups of water.
- Concentrate to water ratio – French press cold brew yields a concentrated coffee, which is typically poured into a pitcher. When serving the finished brew, you’ll want to dilute the concentrate with an equal part of water or milk, using a ratio of 1:1. This means filling your glass with one part concentrate and one part water or milk.
Ingredient Notes
- Dark Roast Coffee – dark roast coffee is the best choice because it offers a bold, rich flavor profile that holds up well to the extended steeping process, while also being less acidic than lighter roast coffees. You can use a coffee grinder to grind your own or purchase it coarsely ground.
- Filtered Water – using filtered water ensures that the natural flavors and aromas of the coffee are allowed to shine through, resulting in a more enjoyable drinking experience. If you don’t have access to filtered water though you can also use tap water.
How to Make Cold Brew in a French Press
The process involves steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for an extended period of time (usually 12-24 hours) and then separating the coffee grounds from the liquid using the plunger of the French press.
- Grind the coffee. Place 2 cups of whole coffee beans into a grinder and grind until a coarse meal is formed (this step is optional, but you’ll need to purchase coarsely ground coffee if not grinding it yourself).
- Pour the coffee into the pitcher. Add the coffee grounds to the French press pitcher and pour the water on top. Stir the ground and the water together before placing the press top on (don’t press it down though).
- Steep for 12 to 24 hours. Place the French press on the counter or in your pantry and allow it to steep for 12 to 24 hours. The closer to 24 hours the richer the flavor will be, however, make sure to not over-steep it, which will result in a flavor loss.
- Press down the plunger. Slowly press down the plunger and pour the coffee into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge.
FAQS
You do not need a French press to make cold brew coffee and can just as easily, albeit slightly messier, use a Mason Jar for Cold Brew.
It’s recommended to let the coffee steep in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours, depending on your personal preference for strength.
Absolutely! Cold brew can be heated up in the microwave or on the stove for a warm cup of coffee.
Storage Information
Storing French press cold brew is fairly straightforward. Once the cold brew concentrate has been prepared, it can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Use an airtight container: It is important to store the cold brew concentrate in an airtight container to prevent oxidation and exposure to other flavors and aromas in the refrigerator.
- Label the container: To avoid confusion, it is helpful to label the container with the date of preparation, so you know when to use it or when it might need to be discarded.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Use filtered water: As previously mentioned, using filtered water can help to enhance the flavor of the coffee and prolong the life of your French press.
- Stir the mixture: After adding the coffee and water to the French press, give the mixture a quick stir to ensure that all the coffee grounds are evenly saturated.
- Press slowly: When pressing down the plunger, take your time to ensure that the mesh filter is separating the coffee grounds from the liquid. This will help to prevent any unwanted sediment from ending up in your cup.
- Don’t store the cold brew in the refrigerator while steeping. Storing French press cold brew in the refrigerator while it steeps is not recommended as it can result in an over-extracted and bitter brew. It can also slow down the extraction process.
More Coffee Recipes
French Press Cold Brew Coffee Recipe
Equipment
- French Press
Ingredients
- 2 cups Whole Bean Dark Roast Coffee or coarsely ground coffee
- 3½ cups Filtered Water or tap water
Instructions
- Grind the coffee. Place 2 cups of whole coffee beans into a grinder and grind until a coarse meal is formed (this step is optional, but you'll need to purchase coarsely ground coffee if not grinding it yourself).
- Pour the coffee into the pitcher. Add the coffee grounds to the French press pitcher and pour the water on top. Stir the ground and the water together before placing the press top on (don't press it down though).
- Steep for 12 to 24 hours. Place the French press on the counter or in your pantry and allow it to steep for 12 to 24 hours. The closer to 24 hours the richer the flavor will be, however, make sure to not over-steep it, which will result in a flavor loss.
- Press down the plunger. Slowly press down the plunger and pour the coffee into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge.
Notes
- Use filtered water: As previously mentioned, using filtered water can help to enhance the flavor of the coffee and prolong the life of your French press.
- Stir the mixture: After adding the coffee and water to the French press, give the mixture a quick stir to ensure that all the coffee grounds are evenly saturated.
- Press slowly: When pressing down the plunger, take your time to ensure that the mesh filter is separating the coffee grounds from the liquid. This will help to prevent any unwanted sediment from ending up in your cup.
- Don’t store the cold brew in the refrigerator while steeping. Storing French press cold brew in the refrigerator while it steeps is not recommended as it can result in an over-extracted and bitter brew. It can also slow down the extraction process.
