What is Cold Brew Coffee? How to Make the Perfect Cold Cuppa at Home

The latest coffee craze, cold brew, is showing up in corner-cafes and big-name shops everywhere. With coffee fanatics and enthusiasts alike, it has quickly become a crowd favorite.

If you’re like us, you like to know exactly what you’re drinking in that morning cup of joe. Have no fear. We’re here to tell you just what cold brew is and how to make your very own delicious batch. 

So, What Exactly is Cold Brew?

You might be asking yourself, “what is cold brew? Is it the same as iced coffee? What makes it so special?” If you’ve got cold brew questions, you’re not the only one.  While cold-brew isn’t a new concept, it has only become a mainstream cafe order in recent years.

Cold-brew is a drink unlike any other. Perfect for hot summer days, cold brew offers a smooth and mellow taste. And yes, it is different from iced coffee.

While iced coffee is just chilled hot coffee, there’s a lot more that goes into the perfect cuppa cold brew.

By steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in room-temperature water for around 12 hours, you’re left with deliciously potent coffee concentrate. Mix this concentrate with cold water or milk, and you’ve got yourself a flavorful, smooth, and unique drink.

The science behind the cold brew craze involves its lack of heat. When regular coffee is heated, it becomes acidic. With a lack of heat, there’s less acidity and less bitterness in your brew. Overall, less acidity and less bitterness allow for more flavor.

While cold brew packs in the flavor, it can usually be described as more mellow and balanced than regular coffee. It’s no surprise as to why coffee shops all over have added cold brew to their menu.

Is your interest peaked yet? If you’re dying to try a cup of cold brew, you can make your very own at home.

How to Brew Your Own

While cold brew has graced coffee shops all over with its presence, making your brew is easy, fun and only takes a few simple steps.

First, you’re going to need a pitcher or jar with a lid and something to strain the grounds. We recommend using cheesecloth, but regular coffee filters work, too.

Next, you’re going to need coffee grounds. Check out our Dog Daze Cold Brew selections for a beverage that’ll never disappoint.

Start by adding one cup of coarsely ground beans to your container. Really, the coarser, the better. The large grounds keep the bitterness out and lock in the flavor.

Next, add four cups of room-temperature water to your container. Stir thoroughly and double-check that all the grounds are wet.

Now comes the waiting. Add the lid to your container and pop it in the fridge. Let the brew sit for at least 12 hours.

If you leave it overnight, you will have the perfect cup of cold brew waiting for you when you wake up. After the cold brew has worked its magic for at least 12 hours, strain the solution with your cheesecloth or coffee filter. Do this slowly and carefully.

The slower and gentler you strain, the more flavorful your cold brew will be. Now you’ll be left with a bold and smooth coffee concentrate. Mix the concentrate with ice water or milk, and you’re ready to go.

While there are tons of expensive, fancy machines on the market, making your cold brew is as simple as that. Stir, strain, and sip away.

Deliciousness Awaits You

Now that you know what cold brew is and how to make it yourself, what are you waiting for? Get to brewin’. Your taste buds will thank you.

For all your coffee needs, check out the full Hugo Coffee Roasters product line.  We are a small batch, roasted-to-order producer.

The best part? A percentage of every sale goes directly to support dog rescue organizations.  That means you get to drink your coffee AND make the world a better place.