📖 Instructions

1. Gather your equipment: Make sure you have your pitcher, coffee grinder (if using whole beans), and filter ready to go. A clean work area makes the process smoother.
2. Grind the coffee beans: If you're using whole beans, grind them coarsely. A coarse grind is crucial for cold brew because it prevents over-extraction and bitterness. Aim for a grind size similar to coarse sea salt.
3. Combine coffee grounds and water: In your pitcher, add the coarsely ground coffee. Pour in the cold, filtered water. The ratio is key here: we're aiming for a concentrate, so follow the measurements closely. Give it a good stir to ensure all the grounds are saturated.
4. Steep in the refrigerator: Cover the pitcher with a lid or plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator to steep. This is where the magic happens! The cold water slowly extracts the flavors from the coffee grounds over time. Let it steep for at least 12 hours, but 16-20 hours is ideal for a richer, more intense flavor. Don't worry if you forget about it for a little longer; cold brew is quite forgiving, but beyond 24 hours, it might start to taste a bit too strong.
5. Filter the cold brew: After steeping, it's time to separate the coffee from the grounds. Place your cheesecloth-lined strainer over a large bowl or another pitcher. Slowly pour the cold brew mixture through the strainer. This will remove the majority of the coffee grounds. If you want an even cleaner brew, repeat the filtering process with a new piece of cheesecloth or use a coffee filter. Be patient; this step takes time.
6. Discard the coffee grounds: Once all the coffee has been filtered, carefully gather the edges of the cheesecloth and squeeze out any remaining liquid from the grounds. Discard the used coffee grounds (they make great additions to your compost pile!).
7. Dilute the cold brew concentrate: The filtered liquid is now a cold brew concentrate. It's too strong to drink straight! Dilute it with cold water or milk to your desired strength. A good starting point is a 1:1 ratio (equal parts concentrate and water/milk), but feel free to adjust it to your taste.
8. Serve over ice: Fill a glass with ice cubes. Pour the diluted cold brew over the ice. Add any additional flavors you like such as a splash of simple syrup, a dash of cinnamon, or a slice of lemon.
9. Store the remaining concentrate: Pour the remaining cold brew concentrate into an airtight container or jar. Store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The flavor will actually improve slightly over the first few days. Now I can enjoy a glass whenever I want!