Make Cold Brew Coffee with Your Breville Machine

Quick answer

• Use your Breville machine’s cold brew setting or a manual method.
• Start with a coarser grind than you’d use for hot coffee.
• Use a higher coffee-to-water ratio for a concentrate.
• Let it steep for 12-24 hours, depending on your method.
• Filter it well for a smooth finish.
• Dilute your concentrate to taste.

Who this is for

• Breville machine owners who want to make cold brew.
• Coffee lovers looking for a smoother, less acidic iced coffee option.
• Anyone who wants to brew a big batch of coffee concentrate at home.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

You’ve got a Breville, so you’re probably using an automatic drip, an espresso machine with a cold brew function, or maybe even a French press style brewer. Whatever it is, make sure you know its limitations. For auto-drip, you’ll need to adapt the process since it’s designed for hot water. If your Breville has a dedicated cold brew function, that’s your easiest path. For other methods, like a French press, check the filter – is it fine enough to catch those coffee grounds?

Water quality and temperature

Cold brew is all about patience, so good water matters. If your tap water tastes funky, your cold brew will too. Filtered water is your friend here. And, well, it’s cold brew, so the temperature should be room temp or cooler. No need for fancy warming.

Grind size and coffee freshness

This is key. For cold brew, you want a coarse grind. Think breadcrumbs or sea salt. Too fine, and you’ll get sludge and over-extraction, leading to bitterness. Too coarse, and it’ll be weak. Freshly ground beans are always best, but for cold brew, even a day or two old can work since you’re not extracting volatile aromatics with heat.

Coffee-to-water ratio

Cold brew is often made as a concentrate. This means you use more coffee than water. A good starting point is a 1:4 ratio of coffee to water (by weight). So, if you use 100 grams of coffee, use 400 grams (or ml) of water. You can adjust this later based on your taste. Remember, this is a concentrate, so you’ll dilute it.

Cleanliness/descale status

No one likes a dirty coffee maker. Make sure your Breville is clean. Old coffee oils can go rancid and ruin your cold brew. If your machine needs descaling, do it. A clean machine means a clean-tasting brew. It’s just good practice, like cleaning your camp gear after a trip.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

Here’s how to get it done, focusing on a common manual method you can adapt for many brewers, even if your Breville isn’t a dedicated cold brewer.

1. Measure your coffee. Get your coarse grounds ready. For a concentrate, aim for a 1:4 ratio of coffee to water by weight.

• What “good” looks like: You have the right amount of coffee, ground coarsely.
• Common mistake: Using a fine grind. This will make your brew muddy and bitter. Stick to coarse.

2. Add coffee to your brewer. Put the grounds into your clean French press, large jar, or the brewing chamber if your Breville has one.

• What “good” looks like: All the coffee grounds are in the brewing vessel.
• Common mistake: Leaving some grounds stuck to the sides. Give it a gentle tap to settle them.

3. Bloom the coffee (optional but recommended). Pour just enough cool or room-temperature water over the grounds to saturate them. Let it sit for 30 seconds.

• What “good” looks like: The coffee grounds puff up and release some CO2.
• Common mistake: Pouring all the water at once. This can lead to uneven saturation.

4. Add the rest of the water. Slowly pour in the remaining water, ensuring all grounds are submerged.

• What “good” looks like: All coffee grounds are wet, and you’ve reached your target water volume.
• Common mistake: Stirring too vigorously. You want to wet the grounds, not agitate them like a hot brew. Gentle stirs are fine.

5. Cover and steep. Put the lid on your brewer (don’t plunge if using a French press yet). Leave it on the counter or in the fridge.

• What “good” looks like: The brewer is covered and ready for its long soak.
• Common mistake: Leaving it uncovered. You don’t want dust or other things falling in.

6. Wait. Steep for 12-24 hours. The longer it steeps, the stronger and more concentrated it will be. 18 hours is a good starting point.

• What “good” looks like: You’ve let it sit for the full steeping time. Patience is key.
• Common mistake: Impatience. Rushing the steeping time results in a weak brew.

7. Gently stir (optional, before filtering). Some people like to give it a gentle stir before plunging or filtering.

• What “good” looks like: A quick, gentle stir to help settle grounds.
• Common mistake: Aggressive stirring, which can re-suspend fine particles.

8. Filter the coffee. If using a French press, slowly press the plunger down. If using a jar, strain through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a paper filter.

• What “good” looks like: You’ve separated the liquid concentrate from the grounds cleanly.
• Common mistake: Forcing the filter or plunging too fast. This can push fine grounds through.

9. Filter again (if needed). For an extra-smooth cup, you might want to filter it a second time.

• What “good” looks like: Your concentrate is clear, with minimal sediment.
• Common mistake: Skipping this if your first filter wasn’t perfect. A little extra effort pays off.

10. Dilute to taste. This is your cold brew concentrate. Mix it with water, milk, or ice to your liking. A 1:1 or 1:2 ratio of concentrate to liquid is a good starting point.

• What “good” looks like: A delicious, refreshing cold coffee drink.
• Common mistake: Drinking the concentrate straight. It’s super strong!

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Using a fine grind	Muddy, bitter coffee; clogged filters	Use a coarse grind, like sea salt.
Too short a steep time	Weak, watery coffee	Steep for at least 12 hours, ideally 18-24.
Too long a steep time	Over-extracted, bitter, sometimes sour flavor	Stick to the 12-24 hour range. Taste at 18 hours and adjust.
Not filtering enough	Gritty, silty coffee	Use a fine-mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or paper filter. Filter twice.
Using hot water to start	Extracts different compounds, can make it bitter	Use cool or room-temperature water only.
Not using enough coffee	Weak, watery brew that isn’t a concentrate	Aim for a 1:4 coffee-to-water ratio by weight for concentrate.
Dirty equipment	Off-flavors, rancid taste	Clean your brewer thoroughly before and after each use.
Not diluting the concentrate	Overpoweringly strong, unpleasant coffee	Dilute with water, milk, or ice to taste. Start with 1:1 or 1:2.
Using stale or poor-quality beans	Dull, flat, or unpleasant coffee flavor	Use fresh, quality beans. Cold brew is forgiving, but not that much.
Aggressive stirring during steeping	Can increase bitterness and sediment	Stir gently only if needed, or avoid it altogether.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your cold brew tastes weak, then increase the coffee-to-water ratio or steep it longer because you’re not extracting enough flavor.
• If your cold brew tastes bitter, then try a coarser grind or shorten the steep time because you’re over-extracting.
• If your cold brew has sediment, then filter it again with a finer filter because fine particles are getting through.
• If you want a smoother taste, then consider using a paper filter for the final stage of filtering because it catches the smallest particles.
• If you are using a Breville machine with a dedicated cold brew function, then follow its specific instructions because it’s designed for optimal results.
• If your coffee smells stale, then it’s time to buy fresh beans because old beans won’t make good cold brew.
• If you prefer a less acidic coffee, then cold brew is a good choice because the cold water extraction process produces less acid.
• If you find your cold brew too strong, then dilute it more with water or milk because you likely made a concentrate.
• If you notice an off-flavor, then clean your brewing equipment thoroughly because residual oils can go rancid.
• If you’re brewing a large batch, then consider using a larger brewing vessel to accommodate the coffee and water.
• If you want to experiment, then try different steeping times between 12 and 24 hours to find your sweet spot.

FAQ

Can I use my regular drip coffee maker for cold brew?

You can adapt it, but it’s not ideal. You’ll need to bypass the heating element and just let the grounds steep in cool water in the carafe, then filter. A dedicated cold brew maker or a French press is usually easier.

How long does cold brew concentrate last?

Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it should last for about 1 to 2 weeks. Always give it a sniff test before you drink it.

What kind of coffee beans are best for cold brew?

Medium to dark roasts often work well, as they have a richer, bolder flavor that stands up to the cold extraction. However, experiment with lighter roasts too; they can yield interesting results.

Why is cold brew less acidic than hot coffee?

The cold water extraction process pulls out fewer of the acids and bitter compounds that are released when coffee is brewed with hot water. This results in a smoother, mellower cup.

Can I use pre-ground coffee?

Yes, but you’ll want to make sure it’s ground coarsely. If you only have access to pre-ground coffee, it’s usually ground too fine for cold brew and might result in a sludgy, bitter brew.

What’s the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?

Iced coffee is typically hot-brewed coffee that has been chilled, often by brewing it double-strength and then pouring it over ice. Cold brew is brewed cold from the start, resulting in a different flavor profile and less acidity.

How do I store my cold brew concentrate?

Keep it in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator. This will help maintain its freshness and prevent it from absorbing odors from other foods.

Can I make cold brew without a special machine?

Absolutely. A French press, a large jar with a lid, or even a pitcher with a fine-mesh strainer and cheesecloth can work perfectly well.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Specific Breville model cold brew instructions (check your manual).
• Detailed coffee bean varietal recommendations.
• Advanced filtering techniques beyond standard methods.
• Specific brewing ratios for different flavor profiles.
• How to make cold foam or other fancy coffee drinks.