Making Cold Brew Coffee With A Breville Coffee Maker

Quick answer

• Use your Breville’s cold brew function if it has one. Follow its specific instructions.
• If no dedicated function, a French press or mason jar works great.
• Grind your coffee coarse. Think breadcrumbs, not powder.
• Use a good water-to-coffee ratio, around 1:4 for concentrate.
• Let it steep for 12-24 hours in the fridge. Patience is key.
• Dilute the concentrate with water or milk to taste.
• Keep your gear clean. Seriously, it matters.
• Experiment with beans. Different roasts bring different vibes.

Who this is for

• Anyone with a Breville coffee maker who wants to try cold brew.
• Coffee lovers who prefer a smooth, less acidic drink.
• Home baristas looking to up their iced coffee game.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

Most Breville machines aren’t built for traditional cold brew immersion. If yours has a specific “cold brew” setting, that’s your golden ticket. Follow its manual to the letter. If not, you’re likely looking at using a separate method, like a French press or even a simple mason jar. Filter type depends on your chosen method. Paper filters can work for some drip-style cold brew setups, but immersion methods usually rely on the brewer’s built-in filter or a mesh strainer.

If your Breville doesn’t have a dedicated cold brew function, a French press is a fantastic alternative for making cold brew at home.

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• Wash in warm, soapy water before first use and dry thoroughly
• Not for stovetop use
• Turn lid to close spout
• Easy-to-clean glass carafe

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Water quality and temperature

Your coffee is mostly water, so good water makes good coffee. Filtered water is usually the way to go. Tap water can have off-flavors that will mess with your cold brew. For cold brew, you’re aiming for cold, obviously. Room temperature is okay to start, but it’s going in the fridge for a long chill. Don’t overthink the initial temperature too much, just keep it cold once it’s steeping.

Grind size and coffee freshness

This is huge for cold brew. You want a coarse grind. Think chunky sea salt or panko breadcrumbs. Too fine, and you’ll get sludge and over-extraction, leading to bitter coffee. Too coarse, and it might be weak. Freshly ground beans are always best. Grind right before you brew for the brightest flavors. Stale coffee tastes… well, stale.

Coffee-to-water ratio

This is where you control the strength. For a concentrate, a common starting point is 1:4 (coffee to water by weight). So, for 8 oz of coffee grounds, use 32 oz of water. You can adjust this. If you like it less intense, go for 1:5 or 1:6. If you want a super-concentrated brew, maybe 1:3. Remember, you’ll dilute this later.

Cleanliness/descale status

A dirty brewer is a bitter brewer. Make sure your Breville, or whatever vessel you’re using, is sparkling clean. Coffee oils build up and go rancid, ruining your brew. Descale your machine regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s a simple step that makes a world of difference. I learned that the hard way once with a truly funky batch. Never again.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

This assumes you’re using a separate immersion method, as most Breville machines aren’t designed for traditional cold brew. A French press or a large mason jar are good examples.

1. Grind your coffee.

• What to do: Weigh out your whole beans and grind them coarsely.
• What “good” looks like: The grounds should resemble coarse sand or breadcrumbs.
• Common mistake: Grinding too fine. This will result in a cloudy, bitter brew. Avoid the powder.

2. Add grounds to your brewing vessel.

• What to do: Place the coarse coffee grounds into your clean French press or mason jar.
• What “good” looks like: The grounds are settled evenly at the bottom.
• Common mistake: Not using enough coffee. Be generous with your grounds for a good concentrate.

3. Add filtered water.

• What to do: Pour filtered, cold water over the grounds. Aim for your desired ratio (e.g., 1 part coffee to 4 parts water).
• What “good” looks like: All grounds are saturated. You might see some blooming as CO2 releases.
• Common mistake: Using hot water. This defeats the purpose of cold brew and can lead to over-extraction. Stick to cold.

4. Stir gently.

• What to do: Give the mixture a gentle stir to ensure all grounds are wet.
• What “good” looks like: No dry clumps of coffee. Everything is evenly mixed.
• Common mistake: Over-stirring. You don’t want to agitate it too much.

5. Cover and refrigerate.

• What to do: Secure the lid on your jar or place the lid on your French press. Put it in the refrigerator.
• What “good” looks like: The vessel is sealed and chilling.
• Common mistake: Leaving it at room temperature. This can lead to bacterial growth and an off-flavor. Cold is the name of the game.

6. Steep for 12-24 hours.

• What to do: Let the coffee and water meld in the fridge. Longer steeping generally means a stronger flavor.
• What “good” looks like: You’ve resisted the urge to check it every hour. Patience pays off.
• Common mistake: Steeping for too short a time. You won’t get the full flavor extraction. 12 hours is a minimum for many.

7. Strain the coffee.

• What to do: If using a French press, slowly press the plunger down. If using a jar, pour through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter.
• What “good” looks like: You have a clear, dark liquid with minimal sediment.
• Common mistake: Pressing the French press too hard or too fast. This can force fine particles through the filter. Go slow and steady.

8. Dilute to taste.

• What to do: Pour the cold brew concentrate over ice. Add water, milk, or your favorite creamer until it tastes right to you.
• What “good” looks like: A smooth, delicious iced coffee that isn’t too strong or too weak.
• Common mistake: Not diluting enough. This concentrate is potent! It’s meant to be cut.

9. Serve and enjoy.

• What to do: Add your favorite toppings or enjoy it black.
• What “good” looks like: A refreshing, satisfying cup of coffee.
• Common mistake: Drinking it too warm. Cold brew is best served cold, obviously.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your Breville has a dedicated cold brew function, then use that first because it’s designed for your machine.
• If your Breville does not have a cold brew function, then use an immersion method like a French press or mason jar because they are well-suited for cold brew.
• If your coffee tastes bitter, then you likely used too fine a grind or steeped for too long, so try a coarser grind or shorter steep time next time.
• If your coffee tastes weak, then you might need more coffee grounds or a longer steep time, so adjust your ratio or extend the steeping period.
• If you notice sediment in your final brew, then you probably pressed your French press too hard or your filter wasn’t fine enough, so press gently and consider a finer filter or cheesecloth.
• If your cold brew has an unpleasant, stale taste, then your equipment wasn’t clean enough or your beans were old, so clean everything thoroughly and use fresh beans.
• If you want a stronger concentrate, then use a higher coffee-to-water ratio (e.g., 1:3) because this will result in a more potent brew.
• If you prefer a milder, ready-to-drink cold brew, then use a lower coffee-to-water ratio (e.g., 1:6) or dilute your concentrate more significantly.
• If you’re using pre-ground coffee, then make sure it’s specifically labeled for cold brew or is a coarse grind, otherwise, you’ll likely get poor results.
• If you want to experiment with flavor, then try different coffee bean origins or roast levels, because they will impart unique characteristics to your cold brew.
• If your cold brew tastes sour, then it might be under-extracted, so try steeping for a bit longer or ensuring all grounds are fully saturated.

FAQ

Can I use my Breville espresso machine for cold brew?

No, espresso machines are designed for high pressure and hot water, which is the opposite of what cold brew needs. They won’t work for this method.

How long does cold brew last in the fridge?

It’s best consumed within 7-10 days. After that, the flavor can start to degrade, though it’s still safe to drink for a bit longer.

What kind of coffee beans are best for cold brew?

Medium to dark roasts often work well, as they have chocolatey or nutty notes that complement the smooth profile. However, lighter roasts can also be interesting for a brighter cold brew.

Do I have to use filtered water?

While not strictly mandatory, using filtered water significantly improves the taste by removing impurities that can make your coffee taste off.

Can I make cold brew directly in my Breville drip coffee maker?

Most standard drip coffee makers aren’t suitable for cold brew. Their heating elements and filter baskets are designed for hot brewing. Some high-end models might have specific settings, but generally, no.

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

Cold brew is steeped in cold water for many hours, resulting in a smooth, low-acid concentrate. Iced coffee is typically hot-brewed coffee that’s cooled down and served over ice, which can sometimes taste more acidic or bitter.

How much caffeine is in cold brew?

Cold brew concentrate is very potent, so it has a high caffeine content. However, since you dilute it, the final caffeine level in your cup can vary widely depending on how much you add.

My cold brew is too acidic. What did I do wrong?

This is unusual for cold brew, as it’s known for being low-acid. It might indicate you used a grind that was too fine, or perhaps hot water accidentally got into the mix.

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

• Specific Breville model cold brew functions (check your manual).
• Advanced cold brew techniques like Japanese-style flash chilling.
• Detailed comparisons of different cold brew maker devices.
• Recipes for cold brew cocktails or specialty drinks.
• Troubleshooting specific error codes on your Breville machine.