Cold brew should be smooth, rich, and refreshing—not harsh or overly bitter. The good news is that making a balanced cold brew at home is surprisingly simple when you start with the right coffee and give it enough time to extract slowly.
Start With the Right Coffee
Cold brew uses time instead of heat to extract flavor from coffee. Because of that, the coffee you choose makes a noticeable difference.
A medium roast works especially well because it can retain plenty of coffee character while producing a smooth, approachable finish over ice. Frigus from Ortalis Coffee Co. was crafted specifically with cold brew in mind, making it an easy place to start.
For the best results, use a coarse grind. A grind that is too fine can make the finished coffee cloudy and may contribute unwanted bitterness.
A Simple Cold Brew Ratio
A dependable starting point is:
1 cup coarsely ground coffee
4 cups cold, filtered water
Combine the coffee and water in a large jar, pitcher, or cold brew maker. Stir gently to make sure all of the grounds are saturated.
Cover the container and let it steep in the refrigerator for approximately 12 to 16 hours.
The longer it steeps, the stronger the flavor will become. If this is your first batch, starting around 14 hours gives you a good middle ground.
Strain It Slowly
Once the coffee has finished steeping, strain it through a fine-mesh filter, coffee filter, or dedicated cold brew filter.
Avoid pressing or squeezing the grounds aggressively. Allowing the coffee to drain naturally helps keep the finished brew cleaner and smoother.
Serve It Your Way
Pour your cold brew over ice and enjoy it black, or add a splash of milk or cream.
If the batch tastes stronger than you prefer, simply dilute it with a little cold water. Cold brew is easy to adjust, which is part of what makes it such a useful coffee ritual to keep in the refrigerator.
You can also experiment with a small amount of raw sugar, simple syrup, or your preferred sweetener.
Keep It Simple
Great cold brew does not require complicated equipment. Good coffee, cold water, patience, and the right grind are enough.
Frigus was created for exactly this kind of slow preparation—a medium-roast coffee designed to remain rich and full-bodied while staying smooth over ice.
Discover Frigus — Cold Brew Coffee
Make a batch in the evening, let time do the work, and have cold brew ready for the days ahead.
Ortalis Coffee Co. — Experience The Ritual.