How to Make French Press Cold Brew Coffee

Recently cold brew coffee has started gaining popularity. If you’re an iced coffee fan it makes sense that cold brew would be used, but cold brew is more than just temperature.

Hot brewed coffee has a much different flavor than cold brewed. Hot coffee is ready much faster, but it completely changes the flavor and creates a much higher acidity level. Whenever you prepare your coffee with a coffee maker you get a slightly bitter/burned taste because of the very fast oxidation.

Store bought cold brew can be rather pricey so learning to make cold brew at home with coffee grounds is a major money saver. My first few attempts were such a mess, but making homemade cold brew coffee in a french press has almost no mess, and is so easy.

Where’s the recipe?

Here at My Crazy Good Life, we like to make sure that anyone can follow our recipes–whether this is your first time in the kitchen or you’re an experienced cook.

In this article you’ll find ingredient information and detailed cooking instructions. If you’d like to skip past that, simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you’ll find the easy to print recipe for this delicious French Press Cold Brew Coffee.

Ingredients:

• Coffee: When consumed in moderation coffee has some great of benefits. Aside from the natural energy boost, coffee is also loaded with antioxidants.
• Cold water: Filtered water is best, and definitely makes a difference in the taste of the coffee.

How to Make Cold Brew With Ground Coffee:

1. Add 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee to the bottom of your french press.
2. Fill the rest of the way with cold water.
3. Stir and cover. I cover mine with plastic wrap or a dish cloth and rubber-band.
4. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours, but no more than 24 hours.
5. After your coffee has had plenty of time to brew, remove it from the refrigerator and stir then press your coffee.
6. Transfer your coffee to a jar or pitcher to store for up to 7 days.

Recipe Tips:

• The average coffee press is a 4 cups capacity. If your container is smaller or you decide to make a large batch in a mason jar the ratio I use is 1/4 cup ground coffee to 1 cup of water.
• I prefer to get whole coffee beans and have them ground for a fresher taste.
• Whether you grind your own or buy your coffee ground it’s best to use coarsely ground coffee.
• I don’t recommend brewing at room temperature like some recipes suggest. That is the perfect temperature for bacteria to grow.
• If you like sugar in your coffee, I recommend making a simple syrup for this–it’s much easier to mix than raw sugar.
• For cold brew concentrate, use two cups of water instead of four. The coffee concentrate will be super strong, so be sure to add water to it before drinking!

How to make cold brew coffee in a mason jar:

1. Combine coffee and water in a mason jar and stir.
2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours.
3. Line a fine mesh strainer with coffee filters (you can also use a cheesecloth) and place it over a bowl or pitcher.
4. Stir well then strain the coffee.

Healthy Eating Plans:

Weight Watchers: Black coffee is zero points on the new 2023 Plan, and Blue, Green, and Purple plans. Be sure to count the points for anything you add.

Ultimate Portion Fix/21 Day Fix: Coffee is a free food on the 21 Day Fix, but due to it’s diuretic properties it does not count towards your daily water intake. Be sure to count containers for anything you add to your cold brew.

More healthy coffee recipes

• Dairy Free Coffee Ice Cream
• Healthy Coffee Creamer (Vanilla)
• Healthy Pumpkin Cold Brew
• Homemade Coffee Creamer with Almond Milk (Mocha)
• Starbucks Espresso Brownies
• Healthy Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

5 from 3 ratings

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Cold Brew Coffee

Created by: Becca Ludlum

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 hours hrs

Total Time 12 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Approximate Serving Size: 1 cup

Servings 4

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Wondering how to make homemade cold brew with a French press? It's my favorite way to make homemade cold brew! I love storing this cold brew in mason jars–it's so easy to store, then grab and go!

Equipment

• Coffee Press

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

• ▢ 1 cup coffee coarsely ground
• ▢ 4 cups water filtered

Instructions

• Add 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee to the bottom of your french press.
• Fill up the French Press with cold water. 4 cups water
• Refrigerate for at least 12 hours, but no more than 24 hours.
• After your coffee has had plenty of time to brew, remove it from the refrigerator and stir then press your coffee.
• Transfer your coffee to a jar or pitcher to store for up to 7 days.

Notes

• The average coffee press is a 4 cups capacity. If your container is smaller or you decide to make a large batch in a mason jar the ratio I use is 1/4 cup ground coffee to 1 cup of water.
• I prefer to get whole coffee beans and have them ground for a fresher taste.
• Whether you grind your own or buy your coffee ground it’s best to use coarsely ground coffee.
• I don’t recommend brewing at room temperature like some recipes suggest. That is the perfect temperature for bacteria to grow.

Healthy Eating Plans:

Weight Watchers: Black coffee is zero points on Blue, Green, and Purple plans. Be sure to count the points for anything you add.

Ultimate Portion Fix: Coffee is a free food on the 21 Day Fix, but due to it’s diuretic properties it does not count towards your daily water intake. Be sure to count containers for anything you add to your cold brew.

Nutrition

Calories: 1kcal | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 29mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

Make This Recipe?

Make sure to follow on Pinterest @bludlum and on Instagram @beccaludlum