How To Make Cold Brew Coffee in A French Press

1. What You’ll Need

• French press (also called a press pot or cafetière)

• Fresh coffee beans, coarsely ground (like sea salt)

• Hot water (just off the boil, about 200°F / 93°C)

• Spoon or stir stick

• Timer

2. Coffee-to-Water Ratio

• Standard: 1:15–1:16 ratio (1 gram coffee per 15–16 grams water)

• Example: For a 4-cup french press → 30g coffee (6 tbsp) + 450ml water (about 2 cups)

3. Steps

1. Preheat the french press

• Pour in hot water to warm it, then discard.

2. Add Coffee

• Put your coarsely ground coffee into the empty, warmed French press.

3. Pour Water

• Add hot water evenly over the grounds.

• Start your timer.

4. Stir

• Stir gently to make sure all grounds are saturated.

5. Cover

• Place the lid on with the plunger pulled up.

6. Brew

• Let it steep for 4 minutes (adjust between 3–5 minutes depending on taste).

7. Press

• Slowly press the plunger all the way down with steady pressure.

8. Serve Immediately

• Pour coffee into mugs or a carafe right away to avoid over-extraction and bitterness.

4. Tips for Better French Press Coffee

• Always use coarse, even grounds (fine grounds make it gritty).

• Use freshly ground beans for maximum flavor.

• If the plunger feels hard to push, the grind is too fine. If coffee tastes weak, grind a little finer or steep longer.