The Odd Blog

Cold Brew Coffee Guide by Odd Kin Coffee Roasters
How to make cold brew coffee
Making cold brew is great for a few reasons! Not only is it a wonderfully cool and refreshing drink on a hot summer's...

Making cold brew is great for a few reasons! Not only is it a wonderfully cool and refreshing drink on a hot summer's day, it's also handy to brew in bulk batches and keep in the fridge to share with friends or family in the garden.

Find out more about this method of brewing and learn how to make cold brew coffee at home with our very own recipe.

What is cold brew coffee?

Cold brew coffee is a type of brewing method that involves steeping coffee grounds in water for an extended period of time, usually between 12 - 34 hours.

This type of brewing differs from other methods we’ve spoken about in the past, as the ground coffee beans never come into contact with hot water. This difference in extraction results in a unique flavour profile and taste.

What is the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?

While many believe cold brew to be the same as iced coffee, they're actually pretty different!

Both wonderfully refreshing, they each boast their own characteristics that we love brewing up in the UK's summer months. 

The main difference between cold brew and iced coffee is the way they’re made:

  • Iced coffee refers to coffee that has been brewed traditionally and then cooled down by being poured over ice.
  • Cold brew is a longer brewing process that sees the coffee grounds steeped in cold water, resulting in a smoother brew. The extended, colder extraction also helps to highlight the sweetness of the coffee. 

    How is cold brew coffee prepared?

    Cold brew coffee is prepared by soaking the coffee grounds in water for several hours, usually a period of 12 - 24 hours.

    This preparation time is important for the cold brewing process, because in the absence of heat, the water requires a longer time to extract the caffeine and flavours. So if you want to make cold brew coffee, remember to plan ahead!

      How to make cold brew coffee:

      Here at Odd Kin, we use a super simple method to produce a litre of cold brew at a time - this is the recipe we’re going to share with you today. 

      This style of cold brewing tends to round off the acidic or bitter edges of the coffee, leaving a super smooth drink that really brings out any citrus or fruity flavours inherent in the coffee.

      But, to really draw out the flavour, try our Iced Filter Recipe.

      Ingredients

      Equipment

      • Hario V60 with paper filter OR sieve with muslin / cheesecloth
      • Scales
      • Scoop
      • Tupperware
      • Fridge
      • Glass

      Method

      1. Combine 100g of coarsely ground coffee with 1 litre of cold or room temperature water in a large Tupperware (this 10:1 ratio is used for a gentler brewing process, drawing out as much flavour possible)
      2. Allow the mixture to steep for up to 24 hours. We recommend a 12 hour brew time, but feel free to experiment!
      3. After brewing, strain the coffee using either a Hario V60 with coffee filter, or a sieve lined with muslin or cheesecloth
      4. Transfer the strained coffee into a suitable bottle or container for storage and refrigerate. It'll keep for about 5 days. 
      5. Serve your cold brew over ice, it can be enjoyed black or with a dash of milk. For best results, enhance the flavour by adding fresh fruits that complement your chosen coffee's tasting notes.

      🍓 🍊 Pairing recommendation: Try this cold brew coffee recipe with our latest Brazilian roast, adding a slice of orange or strawberry. It's a beaut Natural coffee with tasting notes of macerated strawberries and cream, perfect for British summertime.

      Cold brew coffee FAQs:

      What size should I use for cold brew coffee grounds?

      With this style of brewing, you need to use coarse cold brew coffee grounds. Each coffee particle will be roughly 1 mm in size, with a texture akin to sea salt. 

      We recommend grinding your coffee to order, as whole bean coffee keeps fresher for longer. This can be done with a hand grinder or electric coffee grinder, but if you don’t have one of these, don’t worry we can do it for you!

      All you have to do is choose which bag of Odd Kin’s speciality coffee you want, then select the French Press grind type and add to cart.

      What is the ideal coffee to water ratio for cold brew?

      A cold brew coffee ratio of 1 to 10 works well because the brewing process happens over a longer period of time. This means that for every 100g of coffee you use, you'll need you’ll need 1 litre of cold / room temperature water.

      Is cold brew stronger than normal coffee? 

      Generally, cold brew has more caffeine than other types of brews. This is because of the higher ratio of coffee to water being used, which results in a higher cold brew concentrate. 

      The popularity of cold brew coffee continues to grow year on year, with the cold brew market predicted to increase by a huge $1.37 billion from 2020 to 2025.

      The pros of brewing cold coffee include:

      • Smooth flavour with less bitterness and acidity 
      • Versatile brew that mixes well with citrus and fruity flavours
      • Brew in bulk and store in the fridge for days to come
      • Perfect for warmer spring and summer days 
      • Easy to brew, even without specific coffee brewing equipment