French Settlement Roasting Co Brewing Guide
Cold Brew Coffee Guide
Learn how to make smooth, low-acid cold brew coffee at home using the right coffee-to-water ratio, grind size, steeping time, filtration, and storage method.
What Is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold or room-temperature water for an extended period of time. Instead of using heat to extract flavor quickly, cold brew uses time.
The result is a smooth, naturally sweeter coffee with lower perceived acidity and less bitterness than many hot brewing methods.
Smooth Flavor
Cold brew is known for a smoother, rounder flavor profile.
Lower Acidity
Cold brewing usually creates a less acidic-tasting cup than hot brewed coffee.
Great Over Ice
Cold brew is perfect for iced coffee, concentrate, milk drinks, and ready-to-drink coffee.
Why People Love Cold Brew
- Smooth and easy to drink
- Less bitter than many hot brewing methods
- Great over ice
- Easy to make in large batches
- Perfect for concentrate
- Useful for offices, events, and meal prep
- Excellent with fresh roasted specialty-grade coffee
Cold Brew vs Iced Coffee
Cold brew and iced coffee are not the same thing. Iced coffee is usually brewed hot and chilled. Cold brew is brewed cold from the beginning.
| Cold Brew | Iced Coffee |
|---|---|
| Brewed cold | Brewed hot, then chilled |
| Steeps 12–24 hours | Brews in minutes |
| Smoother and lower acidity | Brighter traditional coffee flavor |
| Great for concentrate | Best served fresh over ice |
Best French Settlement Roasting Co Coffees for Cold Brew
Cold brew works best with coffees that are smooth, bold, and naturally balanced.
Bloody Angola Blend
Our top cold brew recommendation. Smooth, bold, full-bodied, and excellent as concentrate.
Gumbeaux Blend
A balanced Louisiana-inspired blend that works well for smooth everyday cold brew.
Peru Single Origin
A smooth specialty-grade coffee with low bitterness and a cleaner cold brew profile.
Jet Fuel Medium Roast
A higher-caffeine favorite for cold brew drinkers who want an extra kick.
Cold Brew Coffee Ratio
Cold brew can be made as ready-to-drink coffee or as concentrate. Ready-to-drink cold brew uses more water. Concentrate uses more coffee and is diluted before serving.
Ready-to-Drink Cold Brew
| Water | Coffee | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 32 oz | 4 oz | Small batch |
| 64 oz | 8 oz | Half gallon |
| 128 oz | 16 oz | One gallon |
Cold Brew Concentrate
| Water | Coffee | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 32 oz | 8 oz | Small concentrate batch |
| 64 oz | 16 oz | Half gallon concentrate |
| 128 oz | 32 oz | One gallon concentrate |
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee
Follow these steps for smooth, flavorful cold brew.
Use Coarse Coffee
Use coarse ground coffee to reduce sludge and make filtration easier.
Add Coffee
Add coffee grounds to your jar, pitcher, brewer, or cold brew filter bag.
Add Water
Add cold or room-temperature water using your chosen ratio.
Stir Thoroughly
Make sure all coffee grounds are fully saturated.
Cover Container
Cover the container while it steeps to protect flavor and freshness.
Steep 12–24 Hours
Let the coffee steep long enough to develop smooth body and flavor.
Filter Coffee
Remove the grounds using a filter bag, paper filter, mesh filter, or fine strainer.
Serve Over Ice
Drink as-is, dilute concentrate, or mix with milk, cream, syrups, or other drinks.
Cold Brew Steeping Time
Steeping time affects strength, body, and flavor.
| Steep Time | Result | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Hours | Lighter flavor | Milder cold brew |
| 16 Hours | Balanced flavor | Everyday cold brew |
| 20 Hours | Rich flavor | Stronger cold brew |
| 24 Hours | Very strong | Concentrate-style brewing |
Cold Brew Concentrate
Cold brew concentrate is stronger than ready-to-drink cold brew. It is designed to be diluted or used as a base for other drinks.
- Dilute with water for regular cold brew
- Mix with milk or cream
- Use in protein shakes
- Use for lattes and flavored coffee drinks
- Use in espresso martini-style drinks
- Great for offices, events, and high-volume use
How Much Cold Brew Will My Coffee Make?
Cold brew yield can vary depending on grind size, filtration, steeping time, and how much coffee is absorbed by the grounds. A simple French Settlement Roasting Co planning estimate is that 1 lb of coffee brewed with 1 gallon of water produces about 3/4 gallon of finished cold brew concentrate after absorption.
| Coffee Used | Water Used | Estimated Finished Concentrate | Estimated Ready-to-Drink Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 oz bag | About 3/4 gallon | About 1/2 gallon | About 1 gallon after 1:1 dilution |
| 2 lb bag | About 2 gallons | About 1 1/2 gallons | About 3 gallons after 1:1 dilution |
| 5 lb bag | About 5 gallons | About 3 3/4 gallons | About 7 1/2 gallons after 1:1 dilution |
| 20 lb production batch | About 20 gallons | About 15 gallons | About 30 gallons after 1:1 dilution |
These numbers are estimates for planning. Actual yield depends on how much liquid the coffee grounds retain and how strongly you prefer to dilute the concentrate.
How to Dilute Cold Brew Concentrate
A simple starting point is equal parts concentrate and water or milk. Adjust stronger or lighter based on taste.
| Concentrate | Water or Milk | Total Drink |
|---|---|---|
| 4 oz | 4 oz | 8 oz drink |
| 8 oz | 8 oz | 16 oz drink |
| 16 oz | 16 oz | 32 oz drink |
Common Cold Brew Mistakes
Grinding Too Fine
Fine grounds can create sludge, cloudy cold brew, and difficult filtration.
Using Too Little Coffee
Too little coffee can make cold brew taste weak, watery, or flat.
Using Too Much Coffee
Too much coffee may waste product or create a concentrate stronger than needed.
Under-Steeping
Not steeping long enough can create thin cold brew with less flavor.
Over-Steeping
Steeping too long can sometimes create woody or overly heavy flavors.
Poor Filtration
Weak filtration can leave sediment and make the cold brew cloudy or gritty.
Why Bloody Angola Blend Excels in Cold Brew
Bloody Angola Blend is one of our strongest recommendations for cold brew because it produces a smooth, bold cup with excellent body and low bitterness.
- Excellent as cold brew concentrate
- Bold enough to stand up to ice and milk
- Smooth enough to drink black
- Great for ready-to-drink cold brew
- Strong customer favorite
Cold Brew for Events
Cold brew is an excellent option for weddings, festivals, schools, churches, offices, corporate events, and large gatherings because it can be made ahead and served quickly.
Great for Large Groups
Cold brew can be prepared in advance and served over ice without slowing down service.
Easy to Serve
Serve black, sweetened, with milk, or as a flavored cold coffee drink.
Cold Brew for Offices
Cold brew can also work well for offices, break rooms, schools, churches, and businesses that want a smooth cold coffee option for employees, guests, or customers.
- Great for warm weather
- Easy to portion
- Works well as concentrate
- Useful for offices and break rooms
- Pairs well with fresh roasted coffee service
Cold Brew Storage Guide
| Item | Storage | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-to-Drink Cold Brew | Refrigerated | Keep cold and sealed |
| Cold Brew Concentrate | Refrigerated | Dilute before serving |
| Whole Bean Coffee | Cool, dry place | Keep sealed and away from light |
| Ground Coffee | Airtight container | Use as fresh as possible |
Why Fresh Coffee Matters for Cold Brew
Cold brew is smooth, but it still depends on coffee quality. Fresh roasted specialty-grade coffee gives cold brew better aroma, body, sweetness, and flavor than stale coffee.
Related Resources
Cold Brew Calculator
Calculate coffee, water, concentrate, and servings for your cold brew batch.
Coffee-to-Water Calculator
Calculate coffee and water amounts for other brewing methods.
Brewing Guides Hub
Explore French Press, AeroPress, Moka Pot, Pour Over, Drip Coffee, Espresso, and Cold Brew guides.
Coffee Finder
Find the French Settlement Roasting Co coffee that best fits your taste.
Need Help Making Cold Brew?
Not sure which coffee, grind size, ratio, or batch size is right for you? Send us a message and we will help you choose the best cold brew setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should cold brew steep?
Most cold brew tastes best after 12–24 hours. A good starting point is 16–20 hours depending on how strong you want it.
Is cold brew stronger than regular coffee?
Cold brew concentrate is usually stronger than regular coffee and is meant to be diluted. Ready-to-drink cold brew can be similar in strength depending on the ratio used.
What grind size is best for cold brew?
Coarse grind is best. A fine grind can create sludge, cloudy cold brew, and difficult filtration.
Can I make cold brew concentrate?
Yes. Use a stronger ratio such as 1 part coffee to 4 parts water, then dilute the concentrate before drinking.
What coffee is best for cold brew?
Bloody Angola Blend is our top cold brew recommendation. Gumbeaux Blend, Peru Single Origin, and Jet Fuel Medium Roast are also strong options.
Can I heat cold brew?
Yes. Cold brew can be heated after brewing if you want a smoother hot coffee. Heat gently and avoid boiling it.
How long does cold brew last?
Cold brew should be kept refrigerated and sealed. For best flavor, drink it within a few days, especially after dilution.