French Press Cold Brew

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Mornings can be rough, and often there’s just not enough time to make yourself a coffee before running out the door! No one should have to miss out on their morning brew. With this recipe you can prep your coffee the night before in a French press and start even the busiest day with a refreshing cup of cold brew coffee!

Please note: this recipe has been updated with new photography and a new and improved recipe for the highest quality cup of cold brew! I hope you enjoy!

This french press cold brew recipe will save you a trip to the coffee shop!

I love an ice-cold glass of coffee on a hot summer morning. I’ve been seeing advertisements recently for fancy (and expensive!) cold brew coffee makers. The funny thing about that is you don’t need any special equipment to make cold brew. You can make it with any large container, pitcher or glass jar, and a fine mesh strainer. I personally use my french press because I like how easy it is to press down on the plunger and pour.

I love my french press coffee maker. If you don’t already have one I highly suggest the brand Bodum. They’re available on Amazon and come in lots of different colors.

Looking for the perfect pairing? Serve french press cold brew alongside double chocolate scones!

What’s the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?

There are two things that differentiate iced coffee from cold brew, and they are time and temperature.

Iced coffee is made by brewing a concentrated batch of coffee, chilling it, and then pouring it over ice. This was the standard practice for many years. I made iced coffee like this many times when I worked in a coffee shop while in culinary school!

Cold brew has gained a ton of popularity in recent years, and for good reason! Cold brew is made by steeping coarsely-ground coffee with filtered water for an extended period of time; between 8-24 hours. Time–rather than heat–is what extracts the flavor, caffeine, and oils from the beans, and infuses the water. The result is a complex, flavorful cup of coffee with less acidity and virtually no bitterness.

Recipe Step by Step

Step 1. Grind the Coffee Beans

Coffee for a french press should be coarsely ground. You can purchase coffee pre-ground or for the freshest brew, grind it yourself! I love my Bodum coffee grinder.

Step 2. Steep the Coffee and Water

Steep the coffee and water together for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours.

Step 3. Plunge and Pour

Plunge your french press, pour your cold brew coffee over ice and enjoy!

cold brew coffee being poured from a french press into a glass with ice and then cream being poured into the coffee

FAQS AND EXPERT TIPS

What is the ideal steep time for cold brew?

It actually depends on how strong you like your coffee! How long you steep your cold brew will greatly affect the depth and strength of your coffee. I recommend starting with 12 hours. If that’s not strong enough, you can let it go for up to 24.

How coarse should I grind my coffee beans for cold brew?

When it comes to cold brew, coarser is better. If it’s too fine, the coffee will be cloudy. You can grind your coffee at the grocery store using the french press setting. If you grind your coffee at home, check your grinder’s setting and adjust it to the coarsest.

How long does cold brew coffee stay fresh?

Cold brew will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Check out more great recipes:

I love to hear from readers and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment and/or give it a rating! Don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for all the latest updates!