Cold Brew: The Smoothest Coffee You Can Make at Home
Cold brew coffee has exploded in popularity — and for good reason. It's smooth, naturally sweet, low in acidity, and incredibly refreshing. Best of all, it's surprisingly easy to make at home with equipment you probably already own.
This guide covers everything UK home baristas need to know about making excellent cold brew coffee.
What is Cold Brew?
Cold brew is coffee brewed with cold or room-temperature water over an extended period (12–24 hours), rather than hot water over a few minutes. The slow extraction produces a concentrate that's naturally sweeter and less acidic than hot-brewed coffee.
It's not the same as iced coffee (which is hot coffee poured over ice) — cold brew has a distinctly different, smoother flavour profile.
What You Need
- Coarsely ground coffee (medium-dark roast works well)
- Cold or room-temperature filtered water
- A large jar, jug, or dedicated cold brew maker
- A fine mesh strainer or coffee filter for straining
- 12–24 hours of patience
The Basic Cold Brew Recipe
- Ratio: Use 1:8 coffee to water for a concentrate (e.g. 100g coffee to 800ml water)
- Grind: Coarse — similar to French Press grind size
- Combine: Add coffee and cold water to your container and stir gently
- Steep: Cover and refrigerate for 12–18 hours (longer = stronger)
- Strain: Pour through a fine mesh strainer lined with a paper filter
- Serve: Dilute 1:1 with water or milk over ice, or drink straight as a concentrate
Tips for Better Cold Brew
- Use filtered water — UK tap water can be quite hard and affect flavour
- Medium-dark roasts tend to work best; very light roasts can taste thin
- Don't over-steep — beyond 24 hours can produce bitter, over-extracted notes
- Cold brew concentrate keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks
- Try steeping at room temperature for 8–12 hours for a slightly different flavour profile
Best Cold Brew Makers for UK Home Baristas
Toddy Cold Brew System (£50–70)
The original and still one of the best. The Toddy produces a smooth, clean concentrate with minimal fuss. Its felt filter removes oils for a particularly clean cup.
Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Pot (£25–35)
A beautifully simple glass cold brew pot with a built-in mesh filter. Elegant, easy to use, and produces excellent results. Available in multiple sizes.
OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker (£100-120)
A well-designed system with a perforated rainmaker lid for even saturation and a simple tap for dispensing. Great for those who want a more structured brewing process.
Serving Ideas
- Classic cold brew: Dilute 1:1 with water over ice
- Cold brew latte: Mix with oat or whole milk over ice
- Cold brew tonic: Pour over tonic water with a slice of orange — surprisingly refreshing
- Cold brew martini: The base for an excellent espresso martini
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