Brew Guide: Cold Drip Brewer

The cold drip brewer is a specialty brewing device designed to make cold-brew coffee.

Rather than using immersion brewing like traditional cold brew coffee, this method drips cold water slowly over ground coffee for 1–3 hours to extract the delicious brew. 

The main benefit of using a cold drip brewer is the brewing time. Immersion cold brewing can take up to 24 hours to complete, whereas the cold drip brewer takes less than two hours (depending on the volume brewed). 

Read on to learn how to make delicious cold-brew coffee with the cold drip brewer…

Brewing Specs: Cold Drip Brewer 

• Brew Time: 1–3 hours (depending on volume brewed)
• Coffee/Water Ratio: 1:12
• Grind: Coarse grind
• Water Temperature: 40°F (4°C) to 60°F (16°C)
• Recommended Coffee: DaLat (100% Arabica)

Brewing Summary: Cold Drip Brewer

1. Measure and grind the coffee to a coarse consistency.
2. Fill the filter basket with coffee.
3. Fill the water reservoir with cold water and ice. 
4. Pre-moisten the coffee and filter.
5. Set the drip speed.
6. Wait for the coffee to brew (1–2 hours). 
7. Pour the cold brew and enjoy.

What You Need to Brew Coffee with a Cold Drip Brewer

Making cold brew coffee with a cold drip brewer is relatively simple. You only need a few tools and ingredients.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Tools

1. Cold Drip Brewer — Cold drip brewers are available from a range of brands. They come in several shapes and sizes, but they all work similarly. 
2. Coffee Grinder — Freshly ground coffee produces a cold brew with complex flavors and undertones. A burr coffee grinder will produce a consistent coarse grind.
3. Scales or Coffee Measure — Use a coffee measure or weighing scale to accurately measure your beans for the perfect brew every time. 
4. Serving Glass — A tall glass is best for serving cold brew coffee. 

Ingredients

1. High-Quality Coffee — Opt for a high-quality dark roast coffee. Freshly roasted whole beans produce the best brew. 
2. Water — Use fresh, filtered water in your cold drip brewer. Hard water can taint the taste of the coffee and damage your brewer over time. 
3. Ice — Ice can be used to keep the water cold during brewing. The finished brew can also be poured over ice to keep it chilled. 

Coffee Recommendations

We recommend Cafely DaLat Coffee (100% arabica) for making cold brews with a cold drip brewer. The smooth, sweet flavors of arabica coffee work incredibly well in cold brew coffee. 

If you prefer a stronger brew, try a balanced blend of robusta and arabica, such as the Saigon OG (Robusta x Arabica x Peaberry) coffee. 

Although 100% robusta coffee works well in sweetened iced coffee, it’s too bitter for most people’s palettes when brewed using cold extraction. With that said, if you want to try something different with a strong caffeine hit, try our HaNoi Coffee (100% Robusta).

How to Brew Coffee with a Cold Drip Brewer: 5-Step Guide

Making cold brew coffee with a cold drip brewer is a simple process, but a few factors can "make or break" the process. 

Here’s how to make the perfect cold brew using a cold drip brewer: 

1. Measure & Grind the Coffee 

First, you’ll need to measure the coffee beans and grind them to a coarse consistency — a similar texture to coarse sea salt or kosher salt. 

The amount of coffee you’ll need to grind depends on the size of your cold drip brewer. Refer to your brewer’s manual to find out how much coffee you need. Alternatively, fill the filter basket with whole beans before grinding — this will help you measure out the exact amount of coffee you need. 

2. Prepare the Cold Drip Brewer

Fill the filter basket of your cold drip brewer with the ground coffee and lightly smooth the surface without applying too much pressure — you don’t want to tamp the grounds. 

Make sure the drip valve is completely closed, and fill the water reservoir with cold, filtered water. Add ice cubes to the reservoir after filling. 

3. Pre-Moisten the Coffee

By using the drip valve on the reservoir, pre-moisten the coffee ground. This will ensure an even extraction. Gently drip the cold water over the grounds in a circular motion until they’re completely damp. 

Add a filter plate on top of the moistened coffee if your cold drip brewer requires one.

4. Set the Drip Valve

Set the drip rate of the valve by twisting the screw. For the best cold brew, the valve should be dripping at a rate of one drop per second. 

Once the drip rate is set, assemble the cold drip brewer so the water is dripping over the ground coffee. 

5. Wait for the Coffee to Brew

Now the drip rate is set, wait for the coffee to brew. The amount of time it takes for the cold drip brewer to finish depends on the volume of water used and the specific brewer you’re using.

Generally speaking, it will take one to two hours to brew one cup (240 mL) of cold brew coffee using a standard cold drip brewer. 

You can leave the cold drip brewer on the kitchen counter while it brews if you’ve added ice to the reservoir and it’s not too hot in the room. Alternatively, the brewer can be kept in the fridge. 

Keep an eye on the cold drip brewer throughout this time. You may need to adjust the valve as the volume of water in the reservoir decreases. 

6. Pour & Enjoy

Once the coffee has finished brewing, remove the water reservoir and filter basket. Dispose of the coffee grounds and pour the brew over ice in a serving glass. 

Consume black or add milk and/or sugar. 

Tips for Making Cold Brew With a Cold Drip Brewer

Making cold brew using a cold drip brewer is relatively simple. However, there are a few factors that ensure you craft the perfect brew every time. 

Here are four tips for making cold brew with a cold drip brewer:

1. Monitor the Drip Rate During Brewing

Making coffee using a cold drip brewer can take several hours depending on the volume of coffee brewed. During the brewing process, you must monitor the drip rate at the valve. 

As the volume of water decreases in the water reservoir, the pressure on the valve also decreases. This can reduce the drip speed. Check on the brewer every 20 to 30 minutes and make sure that it's working at one drip per second. 

Adjust the valve as the water volume decreases to ensure the coffee is extracted evenly. 

2. Use High-Quality, Freshly Ground Coffee

The key to the perfect cold brew coffee is in the beans you use. Opt for a high-quality whole-bean coffee and grind fresh to create a complex cold brew that celebrates the true flavors of the beans.

The best coffee for making a cold brew with a cold drip brewer is arabica. Opt for a dark roast arabica coffee such as DaLat or a balanced blend like Saigon OG.

3. Use Fresh, Filtered Water

Always use fresh, clean, filtered water to make coffee using a cold drip brewer. Not only will using filtered water preserve the integrity of your brewer, but it will also produce a smoother, cleaner brew. 

If the water in your region is particularly hard, it may be best to opt for high-quality bottled water instead of running the tap water through a filter.

4. Look After Your Cold Drip Brewer

Religiously clean out your cold drip brewer after each use. Rinse the water reservoir with warm water and allow it to air dry. Clean the filter basket and collection chamber with mild dish soap and hot water to remove any oily residue from the coffee. 

Rinse and dry the brewer thoroughly before storage. A clean cold drip brewer ensures perfect, efficient extraction every time. Neglecting your brewer can result in poor extraction and old, stale grounds tainting the resulting brew. 

FAQs: The Cold Drip Brewer

Want to learn more about the cold drip brewer and other brewing methods?

Have a read through the answers to the frequently asked questions below:

1. What is Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew coffee is brewed using cold rather than hot water. It's typically made by immersing coffee in cold water and brewing it in the fridge for 18 to 24 hours. Cold Drip brewers can also be used to make cold brew coffee. 

2. What’s the Difference Between Cold Brew and Iced Coffee?

Cold brew is brewed with hot water. Iced coffee is made by cooling down a concentrated hot-brewed coffee, diluting it with water or milk, and serving it over ice. 

3. What’s the Difference Between Cold Drip and Cold Immersion Brewing?

Cold Drip brewing involves dripping cold water slowly through coffee grounds in a controlled manner. The water drips at a consistent rate over several hours and the filtered brew is collected in a chamber below.

Immersion brewing involves “immersing” ground coffee in cold water for several hours before straining.

4. How Much Caffeine in a Cup of Cold Drip Coffee?

The caffeine content in a cup of cold drip coffee can vary depending on the coffee-to-water, the type of coffee, and the brewing time used. However, a typical 240 mL (8 oz.) cup contains roughly 150 to 240 mg of caffeine. 

5. Can You Add Milk to Cold Brew?

You can add milk to cold brew coffee to make a creamy, chilled beverage. Top tip: add milk, vanilla syrup, and ice to craft a delicious vanilla iced coffee.

6. What’s the Best Coffee for the Cold Drip Brewer?

The best coffee to use in a cold drip brewer should be freshly ground and of high quality. The type and roast level you use depends on personal preference. For a robust, dark, slightly bitter coffee opt for a robusta blend such as HaNoi. For a smooth and naturally sweet cup of coffee opt for an arabica bean such as DaLat. For a balance of smooth, sweet, and robust opt for a blend such as SaiGon OG (Robusta x Arabica x Peaberry).

7. What is Arabica Coffee?

Arabica coffee is harvested from the Coffea arabica species. These small, delicate beans produce a rich, smooth, naturally sweet cup of coffee. 

8. What is Robusta Coffee?

Robusta coffee is harvested from the Coffea robusta species. The beans are larger than arabica and produce a robust, dark, bitter cup of coffee. 

9. What is Liberian Coffee?

Liberian coffee is harvested from the Coffea liberica species. These large beans are relatively rare — making up less than 1% of the world's coffee production. Liberian coffee has a floral and fruity aroma and taste, making it unique from robusta and arabica coffee.

10. Can You Make Iced Coffee with a French Press?

Yes. You can make iced coffee using a French press. Simply brew a concentrated coffee using a higher coffee-to-water ratio than normal. Cool the concentrated coffee, pour over ice, and combine with milk and sugar.