If you love coffee but find regular hot brewing sometimes makes it taste bitter, you should learn how to make cold brewed coffee with a french press. This method is incredibly simple and results in a smooth, low-acidity coffee concentrate that you can enjoy for days.
It’s perfect for warm mornings or when you need a refreshing pick-me-up. The french press is an ideal tool for this because it has a built-in filter, making the process almost effortless. You just need coffee, water, time, and your press.
How To Make Cold Brewed Coffee With A French Press
This is the core method you’ll use. It’s a straightforward process that rewards patience with a delicious result. Once you master this basic technique, you can easily adjust it to suit your personal taste.
What You’ll Need
- A french press (any size will work)
- Coarsely ground coffee beans
- Cold, filtered water
- A kitchen scale (highly recommended for consistency)
- A spoon for stirring
- Airtight container for storage (optional)
The Perfect Coffee-to-Water Ratio
Getting the ratio right is the most important step. A standard starting point is a 1:8 coffee-to-water ratio by weight. For example, if you use 100 grams of coarsely ground coffee, you would use 800 grams (or milliliters) of cold water.
This makes a concentrate that you’ll dilute later. If you prefer a ready-to-drink strength right from the press, you can use a 1:12 or 1:14 ratio. Experiment to find your sweet spot.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Grind Your Coffee: Use a burr grinder set to a very coarse grind. It should resemble rough breadcrumbs or sea salt. A fine grind will make the coffee muddy and over-extracted, and it can clog the french press filter.
- Add Coffee to the French Press: Place your empty french press on the scale and tare it to zero. Add your coarsely ground coffee until you reach your desired weight.
- Add Water: Tare the scale again. Slowly pour your cold, filtered water over the grounds, ensuring all the coffee gets fully saturated. A gentle pour helps.
- Stir Gently: Use a long spoon to stir the mixture thoroughly. This ensures there are no dry clumps of coffee and that extraction is even. Some small grounds will float, which is normal.
- Steep: Place the lid on the french press with the plunger pulled all the way up. Do not press it down yet. Let it sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours. 18 hours is a great target for balanced flavor.
- Press and Decant: After steeping, slowly press the plunger down. Pour the finished cold brew concentrate into a separate jar or bottle for storage. Leaving it in the press with the grounds can lead to a bitter taste over time.
Storage Tips
Your cold brew concentrate will keep well in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For the best flavor, try to use it within one week. Always give it a good shake or stir before serving, as some separation is natural.
How to Serve Your Cold Brew
Since you made a concentrate, you’ll typically dilute it. Start with a 1:1 ratio of concentrate to water, milk, or a milk alternative. You can adjust this to taste. Serve it over ice for a classic cold brew. For a creamy treat, mix it with milk and a little sweetner.
Why the French Press is Ideal for Cold Brew
The design of a french press makes it a nearly perfect vessel for cold brewing coffee. Its cylindrical shape allows for even saturation of the grounds, and the built-in mesh filter separates the concentrate from the grounds with minimal effort.
You don’t need to buy any special equipment like cloth filters or a dedicated cold brew tower. If you already have a french press, you’re ready to go. The plunger filter also makes cleanup relatively simple compared to other methods.
Choosing the Right Coffee Beans
The beauty of making your own cold brew is that you control the beans. The cold brewing process naturally highlights different flavors than hot brewing does.
Best Roast Types for Cold Brew
- Medium-Dark Roast: These beans often produce a classic cold brew flavor with chocolatey, nutty, or caramel notes and low acidity. They are a very popular and reliable choice.
- Light Roast: While less common, light roasts can make a fascinating cold brew with brighter, fruity, or floral notes. The acidity will be more pronounced but still smoother than when brewed hot.
- Single-Origin vs. Blends: Single-origin beans can showcase unique terroir, while blends are crafted for balance. There’s no wrong choice—it’s all about your preference.
The Importance of Freshness and Grind
Always use freshly roasted beans if possible, and grind them just before brewing. Pre-ground coffee loses its aromatics quickly and often isn’t ground coarse enough for a french press. The coarse grind is non-negotiable for a clean final product without silt.
Troubleshooting Common Cold Brew Problems
Even a simple process can have hiccups. Here are solutions to common issues.
My Cold Brew Tastes Too Weak
This usually means under-extraction. Next time, try a higher coffee-to-water ratio (like 1:7), a longer steep time (up to 24 hours), or a slightly finer grind. Ensure you stirred well at the beginning to saturate all grounds.
My Cold Brew Tastes Too Bitter or Strong
This indicates over-extraction. Shorten your steep time (try 12 hours), use a coarser grind, or use a lower coffee-to-water ratio (like 1:9). Also, make sure you decant the concentrate into a separate container immediately after pressing to stop the extraction.
The Coffee is Muddy or Has Sediment
This is likely due to a grind that is too fine. Invest in a better grinder that can produce a consistent coarse grind. You can also pour the concentrate through a paper coffee filter after pressing to catch any fine particles, which will give you a crystal-clear brew.
Advanced Tips and Flavor Variations
Once you’re comfortable with the basic method, you can start getting creative. These ideas can help you customize your cold brew experience.
Infusing Flavors During the Steep
Add flavor directly to the french press with your coffee grounds before adding water. Try a cinnamon stick, a few whole cardamom pods, or a vanilla bean that’s been split open. The long steep time will infuse these flavors beautifully into the concentrate.
Making a Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
This popular coffee shop style drink is easy to replicate. Make a vanilla sweet cream by whisking together 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 2 tablespoons of milk, and 2 tablespoons of vanilla syrup until frothy. Fill a glass with ice, add diluted cold brew, and float the sweet cream on top.
The “Hot Bloom” Method
Some people find that blooming the grounds with a small amount of hot water first helps release more flavor. Add just enough hot water (about 200°F) to saturate the grounds, wait 30 seconds, then add the rest of your cold water and proceed as normal. It’s an interesting technique to test.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?
Iced coffee is typically hot-brewed coffee that is then cooled down and poured over ice. Cold brew is never heated; it is steeped in cold water for many hours. This results in a fundamentally different flavor profile—cold brew is much smoother, less acidic, and often sweeter naturally.
How long does homemade cold brew last?
When stored properly in a sealed container in the refrigerator, cold brew concentrate maintains good quality for up to two weeks. For the absolute best flavor, aim to drink it within 7-10 days. Always check for any off smells before drinking if it’s been stored for a while.
Can I use pre-ground coffee for cold brew in a french press?
You can, but it’s not ideal. Pre-ground coffee is usually ground for drip machines, which is too fine. It will make your cold brew muddy and can lead to over-extraction. If you must use it, look for a brand labeled specifically for french press grind, though fresh grinding is always superior.
Do I have to put the french press in the fridge while it steeps?
No, you don’t have to. Steeping at room temperature is perfectly safe and common. It can even lead to a slightly faster extraction. Some people prefer the fridge for consistency, especially in a warm kitchen. Both methods work, so choose what’s most convenient for you.
Why is my cold brew oily?
A small amount of oil is natural, especially from darker roast beans. The french press metal filter allows these natural oils to pass through, unlike a paper filter. If you prefer a cleaner brew, you can filter the pressed concentrate through a paper filter to remove most of the oils.
Can I make a smaller batch in my large french press?
Absolutely. Just maintain the same coffee-to-water ratio by weight. For example, if you have a 1-liter press but only want to make 500ml of concentrate, use 62.5 grams of coffee and 500 grams of water. The size of the vessel doesn’t matter as long as the ratio is consistent.
Final Thoughts on Your Cold Brew Journey
Learning how to make cold brewed coffee with a french press is a simple skill that pays off all summer long—and year-round. It saves money compared to coffee shop versions and allows for complete customization. The initial investment of time (mostly hands-off steeping) gives you a versatile concentrate that provides coffee for days.
Remember, the key varibles are your coffee bean choice, the coarseness of the grind, the ratio of coffee to water, and the steep time. Don’t be afraid to adjust these elements on your second or third batch. Your perfect cup is waiting, and it’s surprisingly easy to achive with a tool you probably already own. The rich, smooth result is worth the wait.