How To Make Cold Brew With Aeropress (Step-By-Step Guide)

Do you have an Aeropress and wonder if it can make a good cold brew? Well, I know your problem!

I was in your shoes, and I love cold brew. However, after testing around with my Aeropress and different recipes, I found a way to brew that perfect, smooth, cold brew quickly.

In this guide, you’ll discover how to make excellent cold-brew coffee using your Aeropress. Nothing complicated, so don’t worry!

Just follow along, and you’ll enjoy your homemade cold brew in no time. Ready to get started? Let’s brew!

What Is Cold Brew?

Well, cold brew is a coffee-making method that involves steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for an extended period, typically 12 to 24 hours.

Contrary to traditional hot brewing methods, cold brew doesn’t use heat. For this reason, it produces smoother, less acidic coffee.

This makes cold brew coffee gentler on the stomach and ideal for those who find regular coffee too bitter.

The long steeping process allows the coffee to slowly infuse with the water, extracting the rich, robust flavors without the bitterness of hot-brewed coffee.

Usually, cold brew is served over ice and can be personalized with several flavors, milk, or sweeteners.

Cold Brew Vs. Ice Coffee

Often, people confuse both of these coffee drinks, so let me quickly explain their differences:

Cold Brew: Cold brew steeps coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. This method doesn’t use heat. The extended steeping time allows for a richer, more concentrated flavor.

Iced Coffee: is brewed hot and then cooled over ice, a process that takes just a few minutes. It retains the acidity and bitterness of hot coffee but can be slightly diluted by the ice.

This is an excellent option for those who enjoy the bold taste of chilled traditional coffee. Like cold brew, it can be personalized with milk, cream, or sweeteners.

Are you curious about the differences between these two popular drinks? For a detailed comparison, check out our guide, “Is Cold Brew Just Iced Coffee?“

What’s An Aeropress?

The Aeropress is a popular coffee maker known for its ease of use and versatility. It has a cylindrical chamber and a plunger, much like a syringe.

The coffee grounds and water are combined in the chamber, and pressure is applied with the plunger to extract the coffee.

This method allows for quick and efficient brewing and gives you a clean and flavorful cup of coffee.

Also, Aeropress is portable (great for travel or camping) and easy to clean. You can make several types of coffee from espresso-style shots, regular coffee, and even cold brew.

Why Use An Aeropress To Make Cold Brew?

Using an Aeropress to make cold brew is a fantastic option for several reasons:

1. Speed: Unlike traditional cold brew methods that take 12 to 24 hours, the Aeropress can produce a concentrated cold brew in just a few minutes.
2. Portability: The compact size of the Aeropress makes it easy to use at home, at work, or even while traveling.
3. Control: The Aeropress allows you to control the brewing time, water temperature, and coffee-to-water ratio, allowing you to customize your cold brew to your preferences.
4. Ease of Use: The Aeropress is simple to operate and clean, making the cold brew process hassle-free.

If you’re looking for a quick, convenient, and customizable way to make cold brew, the Aeropress is an excellent tool to have in your coffee-making arsenal.

Cold Brew With Aeropress: Tips And Tricks

Throughout my journey, I’ve learned a few tricks to improve my cold with Aeropress. So here they are:

1 – Use Fresh, High-Quality Beans

Always start with freshly roasted, high-quality coffee beans. This ensures a rich and flavorful cold brew.

You try different roasts to find your preferred taste. My favorite is Stumptown Coffee Roasters’ Hair Bender Blend, known for its balanced flavor and smooth finish, making it ideal for cold brew.

2 – Grind Size Matters

Use a coarse grind for your coffee beans. This reduces the chance of over-extraction, giving you a smoother and less bitter cold brew.

3 – Adjust the Coffee-to-Water Ratio

The standard ratio is 1:8 (coffee to water), but feel free to adjust based on your preferences. If you like a stronger brew, increase the coffee or decrease the water.

4 – Consistent Steeping Time

Steep your coffee for 1 to 2 minutes in the Aeropress. Consistency is critical to achieving the best flavor each time you brew.

5 – Cold Water is Key

Always use cold, filtered water for brewing. This helps extract the flavors slowly and prevents bitterness.

Cold Brew With Aeropress: Common Mistakes

So, you aren’t getting the best cold brew ever. Well, it might be because of these mistakes:

1 – Using Fine Grounds

You should avoid using finely ground coffee. Usually, this can cause over-extraction and a bitter taste. For this reason, stick to a coarse grind for the best results.

2 – Over-Steeping

Steeping the coffee for too long can make it overly strong and bitter. I suggest a steeping time of 1 to 2 minutes when using an Aeropress.

3 – Inconsistent Ratios

Not measuring your coffee and water accurately can give you inconsistent flavors. So, always use a kitchen scale or measuring spoon for precise measurements.

4 – Not Stirring Properly

Stir the coffee grounds and water thoroughly to ensure even extraction.

5 – Skipping the Rinse

Always rinse the Aeropress filter with hot water before brewing. This removes any paper taste and ensures a clean, pure coffee flavor.

Cold Brew With Aeropress: Favorite Recipes

Here are three of my favorite recipes you can try at home:

1 – Vanilla Almond Cold Brew

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons coarsely ground coffee
• 1 cup cold, filtered water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Brew the Coffee: Add the coarsely ground coffee and cold water to your Aeropress. Stir well and let it steep for 1-2 minutes.
2. Filter: Press the coffee through the Aeropress into a cup filled with ice.
3. Add Flavors: Stir in the vanilla extract and almond milk.
4. Serve: Enjoy your smooth, vanilla-infused cold brew over ice.
5. Mocha Cold Brew

2 – Mocha Cold Brew

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons coarsely ground coffee
• 1 cup cold, filtered water
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1-2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
• 1/4 cup milk or cream
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Brew the Coffee: Combine the coffee grounds, cold water, and cocoa powder in your Aeropress. Stir well and let it steep for 1-2 minutes.
2. Filter: Press the mixture through the Aeropress into a cup filled with ice.
3. Sweeten: Add sugar if desired, and stir in the milk or cream.
4. Serve: Enjoy your rich and chocolaty mocha cold brew.
5. Citrus Cold Brew

3 – Citrus Cold Brew

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons coarsely ground coffee
• 1 cup cold, filtered water
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1-2 teaspoons honey (optional)
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Brew the Coffee: In your Aeropress, mix the coffee grounds, cold water, and orange zest. Stir well and let it steep for 1-2 minutes.
2. Filter: Press the coffee through the Aeropress into a cup filled with ice.
3. Add Citrus: Stir in the lemon juice and honey for sweetness.
4. Serve: Enjoy your refreshing, citrus-infused cold brew.

These recipes are my favorites because they are easy to make and offer unique flavors. So, try them out and find your perfect cold brew flavor! If you’d like to learn more recipes, read “11 Best Cold Brew Coffee Drinks.”

Last Thoughts

As you can see, making cold brews with Aeropress is possible and easy. Just follow the steps given, and you can enjoy a smooth, rich, cold brew at home.

I suggest experimenting with different beans and flavors to find your perfect match.

I hope you enjoyed this guide, and I’d love to hear your experiences and any tips you may have discovered. So, feel free to leave a comment below.