How To Make Cold Brew In A French Press (Step-By-Step)

So you have a French press lying around, and you’d love to drink a smooth cold brew?

But the problem is figuring out the right water ratio and getting the best flavor without making it too bitter or weak. Many people, including myself, have faced the same issues.

The good news is that the solution is simpler than you think. By avoiding common mistakes and following a few key tips, you can brew delicious cold brew with your French press at home.

In this blog post, you’ll discover my step-by-step recipe, the best roast and grind, and extra tips to perfect your cold brew. So, without further ado, let’s start brewing!

What Is Cold Brew?

Cold brew is one of my favorite ways to enjoy refreshing coffee; why?

Well, contrary to traditional hot brewing methods, cold brew is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for an extended period, normally 12 to 24 hours.

This slow extraction process makes a smooth, rich, and less acidic coffee that highlights the beans’ natural flavors without the bitterness often associated with hot-brewed coffee.

And guess what? A French press for cold brew is effective because it allows you to steep and filter coffee easily.

Why Use French Press to Make Cold Brew?

Well, the French press is an easy and versatile coffee brewer, and it’s also great for making cold brews. Anyway, here’s a few reasons you might want to grab one for this:

1 – Easy to Use

Using a French press is straightforward. You just combine coarsely ground coffee with cold water, stir, and let it steep.

After steeping for 12 to 24 hours, press down the plunger to separate the grounds from the coffee. You don’t need to follow complicated or have extra equipment.

2 – Consistent Flavor

It even extracts coffee flavors. The metal mesh filter ensures that the essential oils and flavors are preserved. This results in a rich and smooth brew.

Also, the long steeping time extracts all the subtle flavors.

3 – Convenient and Cost-Effective

Often, people have a French press at home. So they don’t need to spend more money.

If you don’t have one, it’s an affordable investment compared to other cold brew methods. Plus, the French press is easy to clean and maintain.

4 – Customizable Strength

You can easily adjust the coffee-to-water ratio to personalize the strength of your cold brew. Whether you prefer a lighter or more robust flavor, the French press offers flexibility to suit your taste preferences.

5 – Environmentally Friendly

The French press is an eco-friendly brewing method. You don’t need paper filters or pods, which reduces waste. The only waste produced is from the coffee grounds used, which are biodegradable and can be composted.

What’s The Best Coffee For Cold Brew?

Choosing the right coffee roast and grind makes a huge difference. So, here’s what you need to know about selecting both:

1 – Best Roast for Cold Brew

I suggest medium—to dark-roast coffee beans for cold brew. These roasts provide a rich, full-bodied flavor that works well.

• Dark roasts: bring out deep, chocolatey, and nutty notes
• Medium roasts: offer a balanced profile with more acidity and complexity.

Both options can brew smooth and awesome cold brew. I suggest trying roasts and several coffee brands until you find your perfect match.

2 – Best Grind for Cold Brew

The grind size is crucial for cold brew. A coarse grind is ideal, similar to raw sugar or sea salt.

A coarse grind allows for a slow extraction process, which prevents the coffee from becoming bitter or over-extracted.

On the other hand, finer grinds can result in a cloudy and muddy brew. Which honestly, isn’t pleasant to drink.

3 – Recommended Coffee Brand

I’ve tried several brands, but nothing beats Stumptown Coffee Roasters. Especially their Hair Bender blend is excellent for cold brew.

This medium-dark roast offers a perfect balance of sweetness and complexity. You can also experience tasting notes of citrus and dark chocolate. And over the years, their blends have always provided quality and consistency.

What Is The Ideal French Press Cold Brew Ratio?

Finding the perfect coffee-to-water ratio for your French press cold brew is key to balancing strength and flavor. Here are some tips to help you.

Balancing Strength and Flavor: Tips

Standard Ratio: A good starting point for making cold brew in a French press is a 1:4 ratio. This means using 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee beans to 4 cups of cold water. Usually, this ratio results in a well-balanced, smooth brew that’s not too weak or overpowering.

Adjust for Taste: If the standard 1:4 ratio is too strong, try a 1:5 ratio (1 cup of coffee to 5 cups of water). Otherwise, you can increase the coffee-to-water ratio to 1:3 if you prefer a bolder flavor.

Concentration: Remember that cold brew concentrate can be diluted to taste after brewing. If your cold brew is too strong, simply add water, milk, or a milk alternative until you get your desired strength.

Steeping Time: The steeping time also affects the flavor. A longer steeping time (up to 24 hours) will produce a stronger, more robust cold brew. If you prefer a milder taste, use a shorter steeping time (12 to 16 hours).

Experiment: Feel free to experiment with different ratios and steeping times to find what works for you. Once you’ve found your perfect brew, keeping a simple log of your ratios and times can help you replicate it.

Example Ratios

Brew Strength	Coffee	Water	Ratio
Standard Strength	1 cup	4 cups	1:4
Milder Brew	1 cup	5 cups	1:5
Stronger Brew	1 cup	3 cups	1:3

Note: I suggest starting with the standard 1:4 ratio and adjusting based on your taste. With a little experimentation, you’ll discover the perfect French press cold brew to enjoy anytime.

Cold Brew With French: Common Mistakes To Avoid

Though making cold brew with a French press is simple, you may stumble upon a few common mistakes. Here’s what to watch out for:

Mistake	Description
Using the Wrong Grind Size	Use coarsely ground coffee beans to prevent over-extraction and bitterness.
Incorrect Coffee-to-Water Ratio	Stick to a 1:4 ratio of coffee to water for balanced flavor, adjust to taste.
Insufficient Steeping Time	Steep for 12-24 hours to avoid weak or overly bitter cold brew.
Not Stirring the Grounds	Stir well to ensure all coffee grounds are fully saturated.
Using Tap Water	Use filtered or bottled water for the best taste.
Improper Storage	Store in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator after brewing.
Not Cleaning Thoroughly	Clean the French press thoroughly after each use to remove residual oils.

Last Thoughts

Now that you understand the right water-to-coffee ratio, use coarsely ground beans, and avoid common mistakes, you can enjoy a smooth and flavorful cold brew at home.

Also, remember to use filtered water, stir the grounds thoroughly, and steep for the appropriate time.

I suggest experimenting with different ratios and steeping times to find what works for you.

Do you have any questions or extra tips? I’d love to hear them in the comment section below. Thanks for reading, and with that “voilà.”