How To: French Press Cold Brew

French Presses aren't only a great way to make hot coffee!

They are also an easy and cost-effective way to make cold brewed Toddy. Click here to skip to the instructions

Toddy, or Cold Brew, has become a very popular way to enjoy coffee. It is difficult to go to a coffee shop, or even a grocery store and not see cold brew or toddy as one of the beverage offerings. And why not?

Cold brew is delicious!

Once you sip this bold yet ultra-smooth beverage, you will likely wish you could make it yourself.

 

Toddy is specially ground coffee that has been brewed in cold water for 12-24 hours.

Brewing coffee this way creates a beverage that is smooth, and has a lower acidity level than traditionally brewed coffee or espresso, but still maintains a bold taste. Although delicious hot with steamed milk, cold brewed toddy is most popularly served as iced coffee. Luckily for anyone who owns a French Press, cold brewed toddy is easy to make at home.

While specially designed brewers exist to make cold brew coffee, your trusty French Press is more than equal to the task.

If you try cold brew from your French Press and find you cant get enough, a dedicated brewer might be worthwhile. Remember, as with all coffee brewing, trial-and-error and your taste buds are the best way to perfect your beverage.

Here are some easy instructions for how to make Cold Brew concentrate in a French Press.

French Press Cold Brew Instructions

• Step 1: Grind your favorite fresh, whole bean coffee to a coarse grind. Aim for a particle size slightly coarser than your typical French Press grind.
• Step 2: Add ground coffee to your press. The amount will vary depending on your taste and size of press, but a good place to start is 36g (1.3oz) of coffee per 8fl oz cup of cold water. Experiment to get your perfect ratio.
• Step 3: Add your cold filtered water to your press and stir. Remember not to use distilled water.
• Step 4: Wait for around 10 mins and stir one last time to break the clumped coffee or puck that might have formed at the top.
• Step 5: Cover your press with either the plunger or saran wrap.
• Step 6: Let the coffee steep for at least 12 hours. I often set the coffee at night so that it is ready in the morning. You can leave the coffee on the counter or place it in the fridge.
• Step 7: After at least 12 hours, press the plunger down just as you would a regular French Press.

Thats it! You have Cold Brew!

Pour it into a container and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. You can remove any tiny particles that are left after the plunge, by pouring the concentrate through a coffee filter set on a carafe. Remember this is a concentrate and should be diluted to taste with water, milk, or milk alternative.

Have a coffee hack of your own? Let us know how you use burlap in your home in the comments below, on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.