French Press Cold Brew: The 12-Hour Method With No Mess and No Grit
French press cold brew: 90 grams of coarse coffee, 720 grams of cold water, steep 12 to 16 hours, press slowly, then pour it through a paper filter. The press does most of the work. The paper filter gets the grit it misses.
A French press is the best cold brew tool most people already own. Here is how to use it without ending up with sludge in the bottom of your glass.
Cavalry Dark Roast. Bold, chocolate and bourbon, with extra caffeine.
Cavalry blends Colombian and Robusta beans, so your cold brew hits a little harder and tastes like chocolate and bourbon. Prefer smooth over strong? 15W40. Buy whole bean and grind it coarse, because French press cold brew lives or dies on grind size.
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What is the French press cold brew ratio?
For a standard 34 ounce (1 liter) French press, leave room for the grounds and the plunger.
| Strength | Coffee | Cold water | Makes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ready to drink (1:8) | 90 g, about 1 cup coarse | 720 g, about 3 cups | About 18 oz |
| Concentrate (1:4) | 150 g, about 1 3/4 cups coarse | 600 g, about 2 1/2 cups | About 10 oz, doubles when diluted |
How do you make cold brew in a French press?
- Grind coarse. 90 grams, the size of cracked pepper.
- Add water and stir. Pour in 720 grams of cold filtered water and stir until no dry clumps float.
- Steep. Set the lid on top without pressing. 12 to 16 hours on the counter, or up to 24 in the fridge.
- Press slowly. Take about 30 seconds. Pressing fast forces fine particles through the mesh.
- Second strain. Pour the cold brew through a paper coffee filter into a jar. This is the step that kills the grit.
Why is my French press cold brew gritty?
The metal mesh on a French press lets the finest particles through. Three fixes, in order of how much they help:
- Pour through a paper filter after pressing.
- Grind coarser. Blade grinders make a lot of dust, so a burr grinder helps.
- Press slowly and stop before the plunger crushes the bed of grounds.
Should you leave cold brew in the French press?
No. Even after pressing, the coffee is still sitting on top of the grounds and keeps extracting. Pour it into a sealed jar right away. Stored in the fridge, it tastes best within about a week. How long cold brew lasts.
French press cold brew vs mason jar cold brew?
| French press | Mason jar | |
|---|---|---|
| Gear | Press plus a paper filter | Jar plus a paper filter |
| Straining | Easier, plunger does step one | Slower, all through the filter |
| Batch size | About 18 oz | About 20 oz per quart |
| Cleanup | Dump the grounds | Rinse the jar and filter |
Both make the same great cold brew. Use what you have. The mason jar method is here, and the full cold brew guide covers ratios, fixes, and cost.
How do you serve French press cold brew?
- Black over ice if you brewed 1:8.
- Half cold brew, half milk if you brewed concentrate.
- With a splash of cream and a pinch of salt. Salt knocks back bitterness more than sugar does.
Always have the next batch
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Subscribe to CavalryBest coffee for cold brewQuestions people ask
What is the ratio for cold brew in a French press?
For a 34 ounce French press, use about 90 grams of coarse ground coffee with 720 grams of cold water for ready-to-drink cold brew, or 150 grams with 600 grams of water for concentrate.
How long should cold brew sit in a French press?
Steep 12 to 16 hours at room temperature or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. Then press slowly and pour the coffee into a separate container.
How do you get the grit out of French press cold brew?
Pour the pressed cold brew through a paper coffee filter. Also grind coarser and press slowly so fine particles do not get forced through the mesh.
Can you leave cold brew in a French press overnight?
Steeping overnight is how you make it. Once it is done and pressed, move it to a sealed jar so it does not keep extracting from the grounds.
What coffee is best for French press cold brew?
A coarse ground medium-dark or dark roast. Cavalry Dark Roast adds extra caffeine with chocolate and bourbon notes, and 15W40 gives a smooth chocolate and caramel cold brew.
