Today I will show you how to make cold brew coffee in a French press. It tastes just like that yummy iced coffee that you get in a coffee shop!
Now, a while back I posted my super simple iced coffee, which is basically my ultimate lazy girl method.
But this method makes the true cold brew. Cold brew is slow brewed over time, and it tastes smoother and lot less bitter than coffee that is quickly brewed with heat.
The main things that you need to make cold brew coffee are (1) time and (2) something to strain the coffee beans from the liquid. I am using this four cup (32 ounce) French press (Amazon affiliate).
There are lots of tutorials on the internet for making cold brew coffee. I developed mine by making it lots of times and tweaking the ratio until I got it exactly to my liking. Try my version, but feel free to play with the ratios to make it your own.
This recipe is really more about the method than the measurements. And to be honest, when I began making this myself I only measured out the beans, and then I just filled the water to the top. I had to measure how much for y’all so that I could write a clear recipe.
My YouTube subscribers were actually the ones who kept asking me for this recipe. Here is the video I made:
I like my cold brew iced coffee unsweet with lots of ice and milk. Sugar granules are not going to dissolve easily in this like they do in hot coffee. So if you have a sweet tooth, you can use some of the coffee syrups, or you can make your own simple syrup.
Tools Used to Make This Recipe
Note: These are Amazon affiliate links.
- 4 cup (32 ounce) French press
- I used a digital food scale to measure my coffee beans. No worries if you don’t have one, though. You can use measuring cups and spoons.
- I use my own coffee grinder to make medium coarse grounds. Or you can grind yours at the store. Just use one of the coarser settings.
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee in a French Press – The Recipe
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee in a French Press
How to make cold brew coffee in a French press. It tastes just like that yummy iced coffee that you get in a coffee shop!
Ingredients
- 1.75 ounces medium coarse coffee grounds measured on food scale (or 1/2 cup plus 1 Tablespoon)
- 30 ounces filtered tap water (3 and 3/4 cups)
- 3/4 cup whole milk (Optional, for serving. I use about 1/4 cup per sewrving.)
Instructions
- Measure out the coffee grounds, and add them to the French press.
- Add the water.
- Stir the mixture together.
- Place the lid on, plunger up.
- Brew in the refrigerator for 12 hours.
- Remove from refrigerator, gently lower the plunger.
- Pour over ice and serve immediately.
- Optional: add milk, half and half or flavored syrup.
Recipe Notes
Nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator. Nutrition will vary, based on how much and what type milk you add.
Lampung Coffee says
Hello, this is nice recipe and give me idea, thank you for your sharing.. coffee is good for health..
Debbie says
Hey, me again!
I just made a batch of your cold brew coffee, but I noticed that the water in your recipe here is off. I didn’t watch the video until after, but it looks like it’s supposed to be 3.75 cups of water.
I was weighing the water, and 1.75 cups was about half of the 30oz weight (I found from google that water equals the same in liquid oz and weight oz), so I knew something was wrong. I was using a mason jar, and after trying to add the extra 1.75 cups, it was just too small, but most of it fit. I’m excited to see if this is just as yummy as my Stok brand! Thanks!
Debbie says
Thank you for your instructions and tips. I have been trying to make my own a couple of times, but it’s been pretty bitter. I think I’ve been leaving it to steep too long, it might help slow it down in the fridge. I’m gonna try it. Oh and by the way, I saw from your video, that you were buying TJ’s brew. I have been drinking a brand called Stok – oh it’s good. I’ll have to try TJ’s too, but for now, Stok is sooo smoooth. I love it, I’m addicted!
Oh and I also have been cold brewing my tea too. That’s much easier and it tastes much better. I use my loose leaves 2-3 times. Each time, the color gets lighter and lighter, but the flavor is still there. Good for afternoon cold drink.
Anyway, I found a recipe online that worked. 1Tbsp loose tea in 4 cups water. Then fridge. For each subsequent brew, I used a little less water. Delicious!
Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says
I hope you enjoy it Debbie! I also really like a couple of the organic coffees from Costco- Myorga and One Earth (I think that’s what it’s called). I have done tea similar to that too! I just left it in the tea bag, and let it seep in the fridge overnight, and it was very smooth, less bitter. I need to find some good loose leaf tea. Thanks for your comment!
Debbie says
Unfortunately, I am not a member of Cosco 🙁 – I do like local roasters, so I buy a bag of beans for a treat for myself. My DH makes cheap keurig pods that tastes terrible to me, LOL.
I get my loose tea from Amazon. Be careful, it can be addicting! I like Octavia, Tao of Tea and Rishi. Rishi makes a nice organic jasmine green tea, if you like that.
I was watching your grocery haul youtube videos yesterday – while I was making dinner, I just had them on autoplay. LOL. – I started with the newer ones, going backward, and I really noticed your choices have evolved to much healthier!
I am also looking forward to reading about your IP recipes. That’s how I found your site. From the instant pot recipe group on Facebook. I saw one of your posts, I believe it was the roasted chicken one. LOL.
I’ll be checking more of your videos later today! Thanks for your hard work!
Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says
Welcome Debbie! 🙂 I am glad you are enjoying my videos/ blog. Yes, I go in cycles with my healthy eating. Last year while pregnant with my daughter, I was eating way more convenience foods and stuff that people would consider “junky.” Part for convenience because I was exhausted, and part because I had a terrible time with nausea and could not prepare much without feeling sick. I am not militant about anything, but I do try to lean toward more whole foods and cooking from scratch. I am a huge fan of the “what you can, when you can” mentality…and I don’t stress that we are not perfect. I will have to check out those teas…thanks for the recommendations! And thanks for taking the time to leave me a comment. 🙂
Debbie says
🙂 take care!!!