How to Make Cold Brew Coffee: Toddy Guide

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How To Make Cold Brew Coffee: Toddy Guide

The best cold brew coffee is more than just a warm-weather drink. In fact, once you get the hang of making cold brew at home, it might just become a year-round staple. And if you are already hooked on your favorite coffee shop’s signature cold brew, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn how easy it is to make your own. We even put together a guide to help you get started.

Now, you may be wondering, “Is cold brew just cold coffee?” While there is nothing wrong with enjoying a traditional hot-brewed coffee over ice, cold brew is something entirely different. A cold brew is made by steeping ground coffee in cool water for a longer period of time. Because it is made without heat, the resulting concentrate tends to be smoother, sweeter, and less acidic than the average cup of joe — and with a longer shelf life, to boot.

Choosing the Right Cold Brew Coffee Brands and Equipment

In order to make the best cold brew coffee from anywhere, two items are essential: great coffee and equally great equipment. You will not need any pricey, high tech gadgets for this process. We carry the Toddy Cold Brew System both online and in our three St. Louis area locations because it produces consistently delicious results. This simple, nonelectric setup is ideal for cold brew coffee and can also be used to brew your favorite teas.

Just about any coarsely ground coffee can be used to make cold brew, but the best results are typically from medium- and full-bodied coffees, whose robust flavors become more pronounced after steeping. For this, we recommend Blue. Blue is part of our Primary Series of coffee blends and is intentionally sourced and roasted to complement the cold brew process, featuring notes of chocolate syrup, caramel, and praline.

WHAT YOU NEED

  • One Toddy Cold Brew system
  • A food scale that weighs in grams
  • 12 oz. (340 grams) of whole bean coffee
  • One 23×9 inch coffee filter
  • One rubber band
  • 2000 grams of water, divided
  • Get everything in our Cold Brew Kit
  • Download a print-friendly version of our online brew guide, or pick one up in our stores.

How to Use the Toddy Cold Brew System

 

1. Assemble

Place the filter pad securely into the Toddy. Then, place the rubber stopper into the hole by approaching from the outside of the Toddy, for easy drainage.

 

2. Grind

Coarsely grind 12 oz. (340g) of coffee and place the grounds into a large 23×9” coffee filter.

Making Cold Brew Step 3

 

3. Pour & Stir

Place the filter of ground coffee carefully into the Toddy. Pour 1000g of cold water slowly over the grounds. Stir the water and coffee grounds to ensure all coffee is wet. Be careful not to tear the filter.

 

4. Secure & Pour

Tie the top of the coffee filter with a rubber band so that it makes a large “tea bag.” Pour another 1000g of cold water into the Toddy. Total water weight is 2000g.

 

5. Steep

Place the Toddy into a refrigerator and let the grounds steep for 22 hours.

 

6. Drain

Remove the rubber stopper and drain the coffee concentrate into the Toddy glass server.

Making Cold Brew Step 6

 

7. Enjoy

Cut the coffee concentrate with water before serving. We suggest a ratio of two parts coffee concentrate to one part water.

Brewing TIPS and Suggestions

Rinse the Toddy filter pads very thoroughly after each use. Store in a covered glass of cold water in the refrigerator when not in use.

Refrigerated cold brew concentrate will keep for about a week. Taste for quality, and enjoy with your favorite milks, syrups, and sweeteners. Some of our favorite recipes include:

  • “Big Muddy” – cold brew with milk and simple syrup
  • Cold brew with club soda and a squeeze of lemon
  • Cold brew and chocolate milk

Find Your New Favorite Beverage at Blueprint Coffee in St. Louis

At Blueprint Coffee, we take pride in empowering others with the tools they need to explore the world of specialty coffee — from cold brew to single origin, espresso, and everything in between. Get started making cold brew coffee at home with the Toddy Cold Brew System and a bag of Blue, available in our Cold Brew Kit. If you prefer to trust the pros, head to one of our three St. Louis area locations to enjoy a selection of our best iced coffee offerings.

Can’t get enough cold brew? Purchase a 32-oz. growler to take advantage of our discounted growler refills.