Making Cold Brew Coffee With Folgers Grounds

Quick answer

• Yes, you can absolutely make cold brew coffee with Folgers grounds.
• The process is the same as with any other coffee.
• Coarse grounds are best for cold brew.
• Use a ratio of about 1:4 coffee to water.
• Let it steep for 12-24 hours.
• Filter it well for a smooth finish.

Who this is for

• Anyone who already has Folgers coffee on hand and wants to try cold brew.
• Campers or travelers looking for a simple, no-heat coffee method.
• Budget-conscious coffee drinkers wanting to experiment with a popular brewing style.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

This is your setup. A French press works. A mason jar with a cheesecloth liner works too. Even a simple pitcher with a fine-mesh strainer will do the trick. The key is containment and filtration. You don’t want grounds floating in your finished brew.

A simple mason jar with a lid is a versatile and affordable option for brewing cold brew at home. It’s perfect for beginners and easy to clean.

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Water quality and temperature

Tap water is usually fine if it tastes good to drink. If your tap water has a funky smell or taste, use filtered water. For cold brew, the water temperature starts at room temp. It doesn’t need to be hot at all. That’s the whole point.

Grind size and coffee freshness

This is where Folgers might be a little different. Most pre-ground coffee, like Folgers, is a medium grind. For cold brew, you really want a coarse grind. Think breadcrumbs or coarse sea salt. If you only have Folgers’ typical grind, it’ll still work, but you might get a bit more sediment. Fresher is always better, but for cold brew, even older grounds can still yield a decent cup.

Coffee-to-water ratio

This is your flavor strength. A good starting point is a 1:4 ratio. That’s one part coffee to four parts water by weight or volume. So, if you use 4 ounces of coffee grounds, you’d use 16 ounces of water. You can adjust this later based on how strong you like it.

Cleanliness/descale status

Make sure your brewing vessel and any filters are clean. Old coffee oils can make your brew taste bitter or stale. If you’re using a machine or a French press, give it a good scrub. For anything with heating elements (though not relevant for cold brew itself), check the descaling status.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

1. Measure your coffee grounds.

• What “good” looks like: You have the right amount of coarse grounds ready to go. If using Folgers’ standard grind, measure it out.
• Common mistake: Using too little coffee. This leads to a weak, watery brew. Measure carefully, and consider using a bit more if your grind is finer.

2. Place grounds in your brewing vessel.

• What “good” looks like: All your coffee grounds are neatly in your jar, pitcher, or French press.
• Common mistake: Spilling grounds everywhere. A little swagger is fine, but a messy countertop isn’t. Use a funnel or scoop carefully.

3. Add cold or room-temperature water.

• What “good” looks like: The water is evenly distributed over the grounds. You’ll see them start to bloom and saturate.
• Common mistake: Using hot water. This defeats the purpose of cold brew and can extract bitter compounds. Stick to cold or room temp.

4. Stir gently.

• What “good” looks like: All the grounds are wet. No dry clumps remain.
• Common mistake: Over-stirring. This can agitate the grounds too much, leading to over-extraction and bitterness, especially with finer grinds. Just ensure everything is submerged.

5. Cover the vessel.

• What “good” looks like: The container is sealed, preventing anything from getting in and coffee aromas from escaping too much.
• Common mistake: Leaving it uncovered. This can lead to off-flavors from dust or other airborne particles. Use a lid, plastic wrap, or a plate.

6. Steep at room temperature or in the fridge.

• What “good” looks like: The coffee is steeping undisturbed for the recommended time.
• Common mistake: Impatience. Rushing the process won’t give the flavors time to develop. Let it sit for the full duration.

7. Steep for 12-24 hours.

• What “good” looks like: You’ve let the coffee and water mingle for a good chunk of time. Longer steep times generally mean a stronger concentrate.
• Common mistake: Steeping for too short a time. This results in a weak, underdeveloped flavor. You can experiment, but 12 hours is the minimum for noticeable cold brew character.

8. Prepare your filter.

• What “good” looks like: Your filter is ready to catch the grounds. This might be a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth, a dedicated cold brew filter bag, or the plunger mechanism of a French press.
• Common mistake: Using a filter that’s too coarse. This will let sediment into your final brew, making it gritty. Double-filter if needed.

9. Slowly pour the coffee through the filter.

• What “good” looks like: The liquid coffee flows through, leaving the grounds behind. Go slow to avoid clogging.
• Common mistake: Pouring too fast. This can overwhelm your filter and force grounds through. Patience is key here.

10. Discard the grounds.

• What “good” looks like: All the spent coffee grounds are removed.
• Common mistake: Leaving grounds in the filter to dry out and become a sticky mess. Compost them if you can!

11. Dilute your concentrate.

• What “good” looks like: You’ve added water or milk to reach your desired drinking strength.
• Common mistake: Drinking the concentrate straight. It’s super strong and can be too intense. Always dilute unless you like it that way.

12. Serve and enjoy.

• What “good” looks like: You have a smooth, delicious cold brew coffee.
• Common mistake: Not tasting before adding ice or milk. Adjust your dilution to your preference.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Using too fine a grind (like Folgers’ usual)	Gritty, cloudy coffee; over-extraction and bitterness.	Use a coarser grind if possible. If not, filter twice or accept a bit of sediment.
Not steeping long enough	Weak, sour, underdeveloped flavor; tastes more like weak coffee than cold brew.	Steep for at least 12 hours. Extend to 18-24 hours for a stronger, smoother concentrate.
Using hot water	Extracts bitter compounds; defeats the low-acid, smooth nature of cold brew.	Always use cold or room-temperature water.
Over-stirring	Agitates grounds too much, leading to bitterness and sediment.	Stir just enough to saturate all grounds. A gentle stir is all it needs.
Pouring too fast through the filter	Grounds can be forced through the filter, resulting in a gritty brew.	Pour slowly and steadily. Let gravity do the work.
Not cleaning equipment	Stale, rancid coffee oils can ruin the flavor of your fresh brew.	Wash your brewing vessel and filters thoroughly after each use.
Not diluting the concentrate	Overpowering, too intense flavor; can be unpleasant to drink straight.	Start with a 1:1 dilution of concentrate to water/milk and adjust to your taste.
Using poor quality water	Off-flavors from tap water can carry over into your cold brew.	Use filtered water if your tap water doesn’t taste clean and fresh.
Not covering the brew	Dust, debris, or other contaminants can fall into your coffee.	Always cover your steeping vessel with a lid, plastic wrap, or a plate.
Rushing the filtration process	Can lead to a cloudy, muddy brew if grounds are forced through.	Be patient. Let the coffee drip through naturally. If it’s slow, your grind might be too fine.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your Folgers grounds are very fine, then use a coarser filter or filter twice because finer grounds will pass through easily.
• If your cold brew tastes weak, then increase the coffee-to-water ratio (use more coffee) or steep for longer because under-extraction leads to a dilute flavor.
• If your cold brew tastes bitter, then try a coarser grind, a shorter steep time, or ensure you didn’t over-stir because over-extraction causes bitterness.
• If you prefer a less acidic coffee, then cold brew is the way to go, and using Folgers grounds will still give you that benefit because the cold extraction process inherently reduces acidity.
• If you’re making cold brew for the first time with Folgers, then start with a 1:4 ratio and a 16-hour steep time because this is a good baseline to adjust from.
• If your filtered coffee still has sediment, then let it settle in the fridge for a few hours before pouring off the top because gravity can help further clarify the brew.
• If you want a smoother finish with Folgers’ standard grind, then consider adding a splash of milk or cream because it can mask minor sediment and enhance the overall mouthfeel.
• If you’re brewing outdoors without refrigeration, then stick to the shorter end of the steeping time (12-16 hours) because warmer temperatures can sometimes lead to faster extraction and potential off-flavors if left too long.
• If you want a stronger coffee concentrate, then increase the coffee grounds or decrease the water in your ratio because this will create a more potent base for dilution.
• If your cold brew tastes “stale,” then check the freshness of your Folgers grounds and ensure your brewing equipment was clean because old oils or grounds can impart stale flavors.

FAQ

Can I use Folgers instant coffee for cold brew?

No, you need actual coffee grounds. Instant coffee is already brewed and dried. You need the whole bean or ground coffee to extract flavor from.

Will Folgers taste different in cold brew than hot coffee?

Yes, it will. Cold brewing extracts different compounds than hot brewing, generally resulting in a smoother, less acidic, and often sweeter flavor profile, even with standard grounds like Folgers.

How long does cold brew coffee made with Folgers last?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, cold brew concentrate typically lasts for about 7-10 days.

Do I need a special coffee maker for cold brew?

Not at all. You can use a mason jar, a pitcher, a French press, or any container you have. The key is a good way to filter out the grounds afterward.

Is cold brew healthier than hot coffee?

Cold brew is generally less acidic, which can be easier on the stomach for some people. The nutritional content is similar, but the brewing method changes the flavor and acidity.

What’s the best way to filter cold brew made with Folgers?

A fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth is a solid DIY option. Dedicated cold brew filter bags or a French press also work well. Double filtering can help with finer grinds.

Can I use Folgers coffee pods for cold brew?

No, pods are designed for single-serve hot coffee makers and aren’t suitable for cold brewing. You need loose coffee grounds.

How do I store my cold brew concentrate?

Pour it into an airtight container, like a glass jar or bottle, and keep it in the refrigerator.

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

• Specific grind recommendations for different brewer types (beyond coarse for cold brew).
• Advanced techniques like bloom phase timing or specific water mineral content.
• Detailed comparisons of Folgers cold brew versus premium specialty coffee cold brew.
• Recipes for cold brew cocktails or specific milk-based drinks.
• The science behind caffeine extraction in cold brewing.