How to Make Great Cold Brew with a French Press

This post contains affiliate links. By buying through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s how we make this happen. Thank you for supporting the Coffee Guide.

Want a cold coffee that is strong, smooth, low-acidity, and easy to make with no special equipment? This guide shows you how to make a week's supply of cold brew at home using a French Press.

My French Press cold brew recipe is easy. You end up with smooth, strong cold brew. Watch the video, read the instructions below, and try it for yourself.

Gather Essential Equipment

Before you make your cold brew, you need some basic gear. Don’t have it yet? Don’t worry, we have you covered with links to my recommended equipment.

1. Bodum French Press (34oz version recommended to make a week’s worth)

2. Fresh-roasted, coarse ground coffee (170 grams)

3. 3 Cups cold, filtered water (I like to use this PUR PLUS 30-Cup Water Filter Dispenser)

4. Pyrex 4-cup measuring cup

5. Long stirring utensil

6. Digital scale like the zeroHero Mini for precise measurements

I will have a full list of recommended products at the end of this article.

Tips for the Perfect Cold Brew

Choosing the right coffee beans
The flavor profile of the coffee beans you choose will be directly reflected in your cold brew. Choose wisely!

Importance of grind size
We’re aiming for a coarse grind size. However, if you're buying pre-ground coffee that’s fine, too. Just don’t go over the 12 hours brew period.

Water quality and temperature considerations
Remember, the quality of your water is just as important as the quality of your beans. Use filtered water that tastes good on its own. As for water temperature for your cold brew, room temperature or cold water is good. Never use warm or hot.

Step-by-Step French Press Cold Brew Coffee Recipe

1. Add 170 grams of coffee to the French Press

2. Pour 3 cups of cold, filtered water over the coffee grounds and give it a couple gentle stirs to remove any dry pockets

3. Add the French Press lid, but do not press the plunger down

4. Refrigerate for 12 hours

5. After 12 hours, plunge gently. Wait at least one minute for grounds to settle.

Serving Your Cold Brew

Option 1: Gently pour the cold brew into a pitcher like this 68 ounce glass pitcher. As you reach the end, take care to not pour silty grounds into your pitcher. Mix with 3 cups of cold, filtered water for a week’s supply of ready-to-drink cold brew.

Option 2: Store the concentrate in a 32 ounce bottle and dilute to your preferred strength as you need it. Try a 1:1, 1:1.25, or 1:1.5 cold brew concentrate-to-water ratios. I like this option because it’s great for households with different taste preferences or for making cold brew lattes.

A Note on shelf life: Cold brew will stay perfectly fresh for two weeks. In my experience it’s very drinkable even a month later.

Links to Buy Recommended Products

Conclusion

Remember, cold brew is versatile – so feel free to experiment with different coffee beans, grind sizes, and concentration ratios to find your perfect flavor profile.

Have a question about this cold brew method? DM me on my Facebook or Instagram accounts, or leave a comment on the YouTube video. I will respond!