There’s nothing quite like a cold brew, is there? But what if I sold you there’s a simple way to make delicious cold brew in a mason jar. Read on and you’ll be able to just that.
If you want to make a cold brew in a mason jar, the process is very simple and doesn’t take much time at all. Something about drinking cool coffee from a mason jar just feels right, and you’ll need some good coffee beans, your jar of choice, and some water. It’s as simple as that.
This guide has all the steps required to make an absolutely delightful cold brew that can be enjoyed at any time of day. Everything from what a cold brew is all the way to how they should be served is covered below.
Table of Contents
What is Cold Brew?
Cold brew coffee is a type of coffee that has been brewed SLOWLY over an extended period of time using COLD or room-temperature water [1].
This process results in a much SMOOTHER, less acidic cup with more pronounced flavor notes than regular hot-brewed coffee. Cold brew also contains significantly LESS caffeine because the LOWER temperatures don’t extract as much from the beans.
The result is an even-bodied, sweet and REFRESHING beverage that can be enjoyed without any added sugar or creamers. Additionally, cold brews are often served on ICE to bring out their full flavor profile and keep them cool for LONGER periods of time.
How to Choose Coffee Beans for Cold Brew
When it comes to making a GREAT cold brew, the type of coffee beans you use are essential. This is because different types of beans have DIFFERENT levels of acidity and flavor notes that will affect the OVERALL taste of your cold brew.
Therefore, when choosing coffee beans for cold brew, it’s IMPORTANT to consider the origin and roast level as well as what kind of flavor PROFILE you want in your drink.
For instance, if you prefer a SWEETER cup with more pronounced notes, then light or medium-roasted coffees from Latin America would be BETTER than dark roasts from Africa, which tend to be more BITTER.
Pro Tip: Some specialty blends may also work well depending on what flavors you’re going for in your finished product.
Dark roast coffee beans are the most COMMON choice for cold brews because of their low acidity and bold, robust flavor. However, if you prefer a SMOOTHER cup with more subtle notes, LIGHTER roasts from Central America or Ethiopia might be better suited for your taste.
It’s also important to use COARSELY-ground coffee for cold brews. This will help prevent over-extraction and ensure the cold brew isn’t TOO bitter.
When shopping for coffee beans SPECIFICALLY for cold brewing, look out for labels such as “cold brewed” or “for slow extraction”, as these typically indicate that they were specifically blended and ROASTED with this purpose in mind.
Pro Tip: Remember always to buy fresh beans so that all their flavor compounds can be extracted during the brewing process.
How to Make Cold Brew in a Mason Jar
The time has come, let’s make some mason jar cold brew coffee. Making your own cold brew coffee at home is EXCEPTIONALLY easy, and if you want to make it in a mason jar, there isn’t anything EXTRA you need to do (aside from getting the jar).
There’s NO cold brew maker out there, so you need to make cold brewed coffee from scratch. The good news is that it’s not hard, and you’ll find a BASIC cold brew recipe here.
What You Will Need to Make Cold Brew Coffee
Ingredients:
- Coarse ground coffee beans
- Water
Equipment:
- Mason jar
- Cheesecloth or coffee filter
- Coarsely ground coffee or a cold brew filter (optional)
Steps for Making Cold Brew in a Mason Jar
1. Grind the Beans: Start by grinding coffee beans with a coarse setting, taking care not to over-grind them. If you have a cold brew filter, you can use that as well instead of grinding your own beans.
2. Add Water and Coffee Grounds: Place two tablespoons of freshly ground coffee in the bottom of a mason jar, then slowly add room temperature or cold water until the jar is nearly full. Stir gently to combine.
3. Refrigerate and Steep: Cover the mason jar and refrigerate for 8-12 hours, up to 24 hours, for a stronger flavor profile. You can also let the mixture steep at room temperature if you prefer.
4. Strain and Serve: After steeping, strain the coffee through a filter or cheesecloth to remove any remaining grounds. Pour into glasses filled with ice and enjoy your mason jar cold brew.
How to Serve Cold Brew
Cold brew coffee is a great way to ENJOY your favorite coffee flavor without the bitterness and ACIDITY of hot-brewed coffee. But how do you serve it?
Pro Tip: Cold brews are typically served on ice to bring out their full flavor profile and keep them cool for longer periods of time.
However, there are OTHER ways to enjoy cold brew that can add even more depth and complexity to its taste. Here’s what you need to know about SERVING cold brew to get the most out of EVERY cup.
1. Add dairy or non-dairy milk: Adding a splash of creamy dairy or non-dairy milk to your cold brew can help mellow out the flavor and make it more enjoyable.
2. Add simple syrup: A tablespoon or two of simple syrup can add sweetness without overpowering the flavor of your cold brew.
3. Add spices: Adding a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or even pumpkin pie spice can add complexity and warmth to your cold brew.
4. Use it as an ingredient in cocktails or coffee floats: A cold brew can be used to make all kinds of coffee-based drinks, from white Russians to coffee floats.
5. Get creative: There’s no one right way to serve cold brew, so don’t be afraid to experiment. Try adding different flavorings and ingredients until you find a combination that you enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Have Cold Brew with Dairy-Free Creamer?
Yes, you can definitely use a dairy-free creamer with your cold brew. Just make sure to find one that doesn’t contain any artificial sweeteners, as this could alter the flavor of your coffee.
Can You Use Espresso Beans to Make Cold Brew?
Yes, you can use espresso beans to make cold brew, although you may need to adjust the grounds-to-water ratio for a smoother cup. Espresso beans tend to have more flavor compounds than regular coffee beans, so it’s best to start with fewer grounds and add more if needed.
Can You Make Cold Brew with Decaf Coffee?
Yes, cold brews can be made with decaf coffee beans. The flavor will be slightly different than regular cold brew, but it’s still a great way to enjoy coffee without all the caffeine.
Does Cold Brew Have More Caffeine?
No, cold brew doesn’t have more caffeine than other types of coffee. The amount of caffeine in your cup will depend on how much coffee you add to the water and how long it steeps.
Conclusion – Mason Jar Cold Brew is Awesome!
Making cold-brew coffee is a GREAT way to enjoy your favorite coffee flavor without the BITTERNESS and acidity of hot-brewed coffee.
As you can see, there are MANY ways to serve it – from adding dairy or non-dairy milk for extra creaminess, sweetening with simple syrup, SPICING up with cinnamon and nutmeg, and using it as an ingredient in COCKTAILS or floats – the possibilities are endless.
Whether you PREFER regular or decaf beans, making cold brew at home gives you full control over how MUCH caffeine goes into each cup.