Coffee · Cold Brew ·Oct 15, 2025

Mason Jar Cold Brew: The Simple, Tactical Way to Brew Coffee

You don’t need a $500 coffee setup to make great cold brew. You need discipline, patience, and a mason jar. That’s right—the same jar you use for storing leftovers or pickles can brew some of the smoothest, lowest-acid coffee you’ll ever drink.

At Aerial Resupply Coffee, we believe the best coffee rituals are the ones that work anywhere—from a kitchen counter to a deployment cot. Cold brew in a mason jar checks every box: affordable, simple, reliable, and mission-ready.

Why Cold Brew Belongs in Your Coffee Arsenal

Cold brew isn’t just iced coffee—it’s a completely different extraction process. Instead of blasting coffee grounds with boiling water, you let them steep in cold water for 12–18 hours. That long, slow contact time draws out natural sugars and oils while leaving behind the harsh acids and bitterness.

Smoother taste: Less acidity means you can drink it black without wincing.
Higher caffeine content: Cold brew concentrate packs a sustained punch for long days and longer nights.
Gentler on your stomach: Low acid, clean finish—perfect fuel for early ops or late shifts.
Versatility: Drink it black, mix it with milk, or pour it over ice cream—your call.

And when you use the right beans, like MOAB or 15W40, you get a flavor that’s smooth, bold, and unapologetically strong.

The Mason Jar Advantage

You could buy fancy cold brew systems. Or you could grab a mason jar and make the same thing for a fraction of the cost. Mason jars are durable, cheap, and everywhere. They’re also glass—which means they won’t absorb old flavors or leach anything into your coffee.

Accessible: You probably already have one in your kitchen.
Customizable: Make as much or as little as you want—16, 32, or 64 ounces at a time.
Eco-friendly: Wash, reuse, repeat. No filters. No waste.
Portable: Tight lid = zero spills. Take it on the road, into the shop, or out to the field.

It’s the same logic we apply to operations: simple equipment, maximum output.

Choosing the Right Coffee for Cold Brew

Not every bean holds up under cold extraction. You want something bold enough to maintain body and flavor after 16 hours in water. Luckily, Aerial Resupply Coffee was built for this.

MOAB (Mother of All Brews)

Double-caffeinated and built for endurance. This medium roast made from 100% Robusta delivers chocolate-caramel flavor and more caffeine than you’ll ever need. It’s your cold brew of choice for all-day missions.

Firewatch Medium Roast

Balanced Colombian Supremo beans with bright citrus and cocoa tones. Ideal if you want a smooth, drink-all-day brew that never turns bitter.

Spectre Dark Espresso Roast

Deep, bold, and unapologetic. Spectre produces a chocolate-forward cold brew with a hint of smoke and spice. Perfect for those who like their caffeine black and lethal.

15W40 Dark Italian Roast

Named after the lifeblood of the motor pool, this roast brings power and body to every cup. The dark, oily beans yield a syrupy cold brew with subtle cocoa notes. It’s the mechanic’s coffee—steady, strong, dependable.

How to Make Cold Brew in a Mason Jar (Step-by-Step)

Here’s your field manual for simple, repeatable results.

1. Measure and Grind

Start with a 1:4 ratio of coffee to water by volume—1 cup of coarsely ground coffee to 4 cups of filtered water. Grind your beans coarsely (like sea salt). Too fine, and you’ll end up with bitter sludge.

2. Combine Coffee and Water

Add the grounds to your mason jar. Slowly pour in cold or room-temperature water, making sure every grain is saturated. Stir gently to eliminate dry pockets.

3. Steep with Patience

Cover the jar loosely and let it sit for 16–18 hours. The countertop works fine, but the fridge slows extraction and can produce a slightly lighter flavor. Longer steep = stronger brew.

4. Strain and Store

After steeping, strain your cold brew through a fine-mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or even a paper coffee filter. Pour the filtered brew into a clean jar or bottle. Store in the fridge up to a week.

5. Serve Your Way

Cold brew concentrate is strong. Dilute 1:1 with water or milk, or drink it straight if you’re built different. Add ice, a splash of oat milk, or even a little protein powder for post-workout recovery fuel.

Recommended Mason Jar Sizes

You don’t need industrial equipment to scale your cold brew operation. Here’s the breakdown:

16 oz (Pint): One strong serving—perfect for single missions.
32 oz (Quart): Enough for two days of fuel or two operators.
64 oz (Half-gallon): Batch brewing for a squad. Ideal for Sunday prep or workweek readiness.

Every mason jar is cold brew capable—just adjust your ratio and steep time. The bigger the jar, the easier it is to stay stocked without daily prep.

Storage and Shelf Life

Cold brew concentrate keeps its integrity for about 7–10 days when refrigerated. Always store it sealed to prevent oxidation (and fridge funk). After that, the flavor will start to flatten, but it’s still safe up to two weeks.

Never store cold brew at room temperature for more than a few hours—bacteria love warm coffee water. If you want long-term storage, freeze it in ice cube trays for 3–4 months. Drop a cube into milk or water for an instant caffeine hit.

Each ARC roast stores differently, but all are roasted fresh and shipped fast. Check the bag date, seal tightly, and you’ll get optimal flavor for up to 3 months post-roast. Because freshness isn’t optional—it’s operational.

Advanced Tips and Flavor Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basic cold brew, experiment like a field chemist.

Sweeten naturally: Stir in maple syrup, honey, or agave after straining—these dissolve easily in cold liquid.
Infuse flavors: Add cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans, or cardamom pods during steeping for subtle complexity.
Boost with protein: Blend with chocolate milk, oat milk, or a scoop of whey for a powerful breakfast drink.
Layer your ice: Freeze some cold brew into cubes—your drink won’t water down as it melts.

Health and Performance Benefits

Cold brew coffee does more than taste great—it keeps your system running at peak efficiency.

Low Acid = Less Burn: Perfect for those who can’t handle traditional coffee’s acidity.
High Antioxidants: Cold extraction retains more beneficial compounds than hot brewing.
Sustained Energy: Cold brew’s slow caffeine release prevents the crash of energy drinks or sugary lattes.
Better Hydration: Served cold and smooth, it keeps you sipping throughout the day without dehydration.

In short: it’s fuel you can rely on—clean, effective, and built to last as long as you do.

The Aerial Resupply Coffee Mission

Aerial Resupply Coffee isn’t just coffee—it’s community. Founded by veterans, our mission is to support the people who keep this country moving. Every bag you buy helps fund programs for veterans, first responders, and their families.

We roast small batches for maximum freshness, focus on clean energy over sugar spikes, and celebrate the kind of people who don’t quit. Our motto is simple: Logistics Wins Wars. Caffeine Keeps Them Moving.

Final Word: Brew Hard, Stay Ready

Cold brew coffee doesn’t require expensive gear—just intent and execution. A mason jar, the right ratio, and Aerial Resupply Coffee’s premium roasts are all you need to make smooth, low-acid, high-caffeine coffee worthy of your next mission.

So grab that jar, load your grounds, and let time do the work. When it’s ready, pour it cold, drink it black, and know you’re fueling like a professional.

This isn’t just coffee—it’s operational energy in a jar.

Shop the Lineup:
Lifeline • Firewatch • MOAB • Spectre • 15W40