The Secret to Brewing The Perfect Cold Brew Coffee Every Time.

At McCabe’s Coffee, we've been perfecting the art of exceptional coffee for decades, and Cold Brew holds a special place in our hearts. It’s the perfect way to showcase the versatility of our premium craft coffee while creating something refreshingly different for your daily ritual.

This guide will show you how to prepare perfect Cold Brew, and how to make it great, every. single. time.

What Is Cold Brew?

Cold brew isn’t just another iced coffee; it’s an entirely different drink. While hot coffee is brewed and then chilled with ice, Cold Brew takes the scenic route (something we love here in Wicklow), steeping slowly in cold water for hours. This is when the magic happens. During this extended steeping process your Cold Brew develops a naturally smooth, less acidic flavour that is delicious to drink and won't make your stomach do somersaults. Cold Brew delivers about 70% less acidity than traditional hot coffee.

The Secret to Preparing Perfect Cold Brew

If you’re ready to join the Cold Brew club, there are two key things to know:

1. 1. What’s the perfect Cold Brew ratio?
   2. What beans should I use?

The Perfect Cold Brew Ratio

The Cold Brew ratio is your secret weapon for consistency. Start with a 1:4 ratio—that’s 1 cup of coarse-ground McCabe’s Coffee to 4 cups of cold water. This creates a Cold Brew Concentrate, the secret to consistent, delicious Cold Brew.

Cold Brew concentrate gives us extra control, which we can dilute to taste later. Think of it as a coffee insurance policy against weak, disappointing brews.

The secret to consistent cold Brew is with Cold Brew Concentrate

Choosing Your Cold Brew Coffee Beans

At McCabe’s Coffee, we've tested countless Cold Brew coffee beans to find what works best. Our medium to dark roasts work brilliantly, offering rich chocolatey notes that shine in cold preparation. McCabes Original Blend is the perfect starting point, but for those looking for something more specific, we strongly recommend our Brazilian Single Origin  and  Brazil Organic Single Origin blends that bring out those smooth, chocolaty flavours we're known for.

How to Make Cold Brew with Ground Coffee

Making Cold Brew with McCabe’s beans is simpler than you'd think:

1. Grind coarse – Grind your preferred MCCabe’s Beans to a coarse grind - think sea salt texture.
2. Combine – Your coarse McCabe’s Coffee grind with Cold Brew in a jar, jug or anything you can cover.
3. Stir & cover – Gently stir, then cover your container.
4. Steep – Let it steep in the fridge for 12–18 hours (overnight works best).
5. Strain – Use a fine-mesh sieve, coffee filter, or cheesecloth.

Eh Voila! You now have a Cold Brew concentrate ready to enjoy. It stays fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Always aim for a coarse grind, similar in texture to sea salt.

Pro Tips to Ensure Cold Brew Success

• Use quality beans – Easy when you use McCabe’s
• Don’t over-extract – 12-18 hours is the sweet spot for McCabe’s Coffee beans . Taste regularly and strain when acidity is just right.
• Dilute to taste – Start with a 1:1 ratio of concentrate to water and adjust.
• Experiment with roasts – each of our Coffee blends offers unique Cold Brew characteristics – if you like a specific brew warm, definitely try it in Cold Brew.

Dilute your Cold Brew concentrate to taste to ensure consistent quality.

The McCabe’s Coffee Difference

Cold Brew transforms your everyday coffee ritual into something special, and using McCabe’s beans elevates it even further. Our carefully selected and roasted beans are forgiving, endlessly customisable, and offer perfect refreshment on hot summer days (when we get them).

Whether you're trying to recreate that perfect coffee shop experience at home or just want a smoother way to enjoy exceptional coffee, McCabe’s Coffee Cold Brew delivers every time. Plus, having a pitcher of concentrate ready means you're always minutes away.

So grab some coarse-ground McCabe’s Coffee, fill up a jar with cold water, and let time work its magic. Your taste buds will thank you, and you'll understand why we're so passionate about brewing the perfect Coffee – every time.

 

Ready to begin your Cold Brew journey?

Explore our premium coffee selection, handpicked for Cold Brew excellence at www.mccabecoffee.com