Ultra-Fast Aeropress Cold Brew Recipe
As a coffee lover, I’m always looking for ways to experiment with my favorite brewing methods.
When I discovered that you could use an Aeropress to make cold brew coffee at home, it was like finding buried treasure!
After countless experiments and modifications, I’ve developed a foolproof method for making delicious cold brew using just your AeroPress.
Let’s get started on our journey towards becoming chilly baristas in no time flat – let’s learn how to make Cold Brew Coffee with an Aeropress!
Cold brew in minutes, not hours? Is it possible?
I was skeptical when I read Alan Adler’s (the inventor of the Aeropress) original cold brew method.
Everybody knows it takes 12-24 hours to make a cold brew due to the extended steep time.
But after trying and experimenting loads, I can confidently say that the Aeropress can make cold brew coffee in minutes instead of hours.
Obviously, it is not 100% the same in taste, but if you use good-quality beans, it’s almost there. And for busy home baristas like me who don’t always have time to let it sit overnight, it’s a godsend on a hot summer afternoon.
Also, the Aeropress cold brew recipe is great for camping trips, where you may not have access to boiling water.
What is the best coffee grind size to use?
After much trial and error in my kitchen, I have found that an espresso grind works best for making quick cold brews with the Aeropress.
So yes, it should be finer than what you would normally use for the Aeropress (here is a grind size comparison article):
- A coarse grind that you would use for the 12-hour cold brew does not work here. They render weak results.
- Too fine, and you’ll wind up with either a bitter cup that no steeping can fix, or you just won’t be able to push the coffee through the double filter.
What kind of coffee beans should I use?
If sweet, bold, and smooth are what you’re after (as you should be with cold brews), then using a medium-dark roast or dark roast will get you there quickly since they have less acidity than lighter roasts.
Here is a list of what I think are the best coffee beans for making cold brew.
My personal preference has always been natural processed coffees as they pull out plenty of flavor compounds giving it amazing depth and complexity, even when brewed in colder temperatures like this method.
As far as origin goes… well, that’s up for experimentation too. Try different blends from around the world and see how each one fares.
AeroPress cold brew water ratio
The ideal coffee-water ratio is 1:8 for the quick Aeropress cold-brew method, meaning that for every gram of ground coffee, you use 8 grams of water.
Too much water and you’ll end up with a weak cup; too little and your beverage may taste overly concentrated or bitter.
How to make cold brew in your AeroPress (steps)
Ultra Fast Aeropress Cold Brew Recipe
Ingredients
- 15 g fine ground coffee
- 120 g filtered water at room temperature
Instructions
- Assemble your Aeropress upright, but use 2 paper filters instead of 1.
- Grind 15g of coffee beans to an espresso grind, and pour into the chamber.
- Add 120g of filtered, room temperature water (not iced nor hot water).
- Stir briskly for about 60 seconds. Brisk means not super fast, but not too slow, either.
- Insert the plunger into Aeropress chamber, and push down, aiming to complete the plunge in about 30 seconds.
Video
Notes
What can you add to your cold brew coffee?
Now that you know how to make cold brew coffee with an AeroPress, it’s time to experiment with it.
Sure, you could just drink your delicious cup of joe as is or with ice cubes – but why not add a little something extra?
- One way might be diluting the strength of your brew by adding some water. This will give you more volume and allow you to sip over a longer period without getting too buzzed off caffeine overload.
I don’t dilute the Aeropress cold brew though, since it is not concentrate and becomes too watery for me, but you can try. - Another basic addition is dairy milk or creamer. It’s nice but becomes mundane after a while.
- If you’re feeling fancy or need an added flavor boost, throw in a splash (or two) of coconut or almond milk.
- If you crave a sweeter taste, use maple syrup instead of sugar.
As for storage, even though cold brew concentrate is good in your fridge for up to 10 days, I recommend you just prepare and drink the Aeropress cold brew.
Overall, cold brewing with an Aeropress is a simple and interesting way to make a cup of cold coffee.
It is even easier than my Aeropress iced coffee recipes, since you don’t need hot water.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your AeroPress and try this cold brew today – it will be ready in a couple of minutes.
And make sure to let me know how it went in a comment below.
This is so cool. I love my Aeropress but never thought it could make cold brew so quickly. Thanks for sharing this recipe, Tom. Do you think a dark roast from Ethiopia would work well with this method?
Sure, try it and let us know! 🙂
I’ve got to say, Tom, this article was a lifesaver for my busy mornings. I always thought cold brew was out of the question on a tight schedule, but your Aeropress method is pure gold. It is hot here in Florida every morning, so I like a cold coffee before work.. I followed your steps to the T, and I was sipping on smooth, rich coffee in no time.
I noticed that you mentioned using natural processed coffees for more depth and complexity in flavor. As someone who roasts their own beans, I’ve found that this indeed works wonders. However, you also mentioned experimenting with different origins; I’d love to hear more about which origins have worked best for you with this method, Tom.
Typically a traditionalist when it comes to cold brew, I felt rather skeptical about this rapid method. However, curiosity won out and I gave it a go. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised – the flavor held its complexity. But I do have one question: does the brew time alter significantly with different bean roasts?
That’s a good question, I haven’t done much experimenting with this recipe, as I like to create larger batches the normal way. But it’s worth a try, let me know how it goes!
Tom, I’m intrigued by the idea of an espresso grind for the Aeropress cold brew. I’ve tried it myself after reading your article and the result was way better than my usual cold brew. It was much quicker and the taste was stunningly smooth. Just curious if you’ve experimented with any lighter roasts using this method?
No I haven’t, light roast is harder to extract, so I would not think it would produce good results with this recipe. But it’s worth a try, please let me know how it turns out if you do.
Tom @ BigCupOfCoffee, your article was nothing short of inspiring. As a weekend warrior in the world of coffee, I’ve never tried making cold brew before. I followed your directions to make my first batch and it turned out amazing. For newbies like me, could you possibly elaborate on the type of filter you use with your Aeropress for this recipe?
Sure, I use the standard paper filter to get rid of the microparticles. I think this is important for cold brew, you want to minimize it, since you will be storing it in the fridge for a few days.
If this works, it is revolutionary. I’ve been making cold brew for about a year, and your cold brew Aeropress method has me rethinking everything. I’ll be implementing your grind size tips tomorrow.