Here in Arizona, it's always a good time for cold brew. But what exactly is it?
Cold brew is not just iced coffee. Iced coffee is regular hot coffee that's been cooled down, which can often taste bitter or sour. Cold brew is a completely different method: it's a slow, 12-to-24-hour steep using cold water.
This "no-heat" process extracts a different range of flavors. You get a brew that is incredibly smooth, low in acidity, and high in rich, chocolatey, and sweet notes. It's a fantastic way to enjoy our beans, and it's incredibly simple to make at home.
Here’s our simple guide to making a cafe-quality cold brew concentrate.
What You’ll Need:
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A jar or pitcher (a 1-quart Mason jar is perfect)
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A filter (Cheesecloth, a fine-mesh sieve, or even your [)
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Your favorite ROC² Whole Beans
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A grinder
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A kitchen scale
The Perfect Cold Brew Recipe
Step 1: The Grind (This is Key!) You need an EXTRA COARSE grind. This is the coarsest setting on your grinder, even coarser than for a French Press. Think of the texture of steel-cut oats or breadcrumbs. A fine grind will over-extract, taste bitter, and be impossible to filter.
Step 2: The Ratio (Make a Concentrate) We’re making a concentrate that you can dilute later. This saves space in your fridge and gives you total control. A great starting ratio is 1:8.
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For a 1-quart (32 oz) jar: Use 100 grams of coffee (about 1 cup of whole beans) and 800 grams (about 3.5 cups) of water.
Step 3: Combine & Stir Add your extra-coarse grounds to the jar. Add your cold, filtered water. Stir gently with a spoon, making sure all the grounds are wet.
Step 4: The Steep Seal the jar and... wait.
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On your counter (room temp): Let it steep for 12-14 hours.
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In your fridge: Let it steep for 16-18 hours. (We prefer the fridge for a slightly crisper taste, but both work!)
Step 5: The Strain This is the only messy part.
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Easiest way: If you made your brew in your French Press, just slowly press the plunger down and pour.
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Classic way: Pour the mixture slowly through a cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve set over a clean bowl or pitcher. Be patient!
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Pro-Tip: For an ultra-clean brew, strain it a second time through a paper filter (like a pour-over filter)
Step 6: Dilute & Serve You now have a powerful cold brew concentrate! It will stay fresh in your fridge for up to a week.
To serve, fill a glass with ice and pour a 1:1 ratio of concentrate and water (or milk, for a creamy cold brew latte).
Want it even easier? We get it. For those days you don't want to wait 12 hours, grab one of our ready-to-drink Cold Brew coffee, made right here in Cave Creek!