Making Cold Brew Toddy with Coffee Beans

Quick Answer

• Yes, you can absolutely make Toddy cold brew using whole coffee beans.
• The Toddy system is designed for cold brewing, which works with any roast level of coffee beans.
• For best results, grind your coffee beans just before brewing to a coarse consistency.
• The Toddy process involves steeping ground coffee in cold water for an extended period, typically 12-24 hours.
• This method extracts flavor without the bitterness often associated with hot brewing.
• Toddy cold brew concentrate can be diluted with water, milk, or ice to your preference.

Who This Is For

• Home coffee enthusiasts looking to explore different brewing methods.
• Anyone who enjoys a smooth, low-acid coffee concentrate.
• Individuals seeking a convenient way to make large batches of iced coffee.

What to Check First

Brewer Type and Filter Type

• Brewer Type: Ensure you are using a Toddy Cold Brew System or a similar cold brew maker designed for immersion brewing. These typically consist of a brewing container, a filter, and a decanter.
• Filter Type: The Toddy system uses specialized paper filters and a reusable felt or metal filter. Check that you have the correct filters for your specific Toddy model. Using the wrong filter can lead to grounds in your brew or an inefficient extraction.

Ensure you are using a Toddy Cold Brew System or a similar cold brew maker designed for immersion brewing. This is the core piece of equipment for making Toddy cold brew.

Java House dark roast Liquid Cold Brew Coffee On Tap, Espresso, 128 Fl Oz

• BOLD FLAVOR - Robust, full-bodied Espresso dark roast flavor with subtle dark chocolate and smokey notes.
• COLD BREW SMOOTHNESS - 100% Arabica Coffee beans are cold brewed for over 12 hours to create a smooth, low acidic yet bold coffee flavor to make our distinctive Espresso dark roast cold brew coffee on tap.
• READY TO DRINK - Don't like mixing concentrates? That's understandable. Java House Cold Brew Coffee on Tap is ready to drink, no mixing or measuring required.
• NO SUGAR - Just 100% filtered water and Arabica coffee beans. Keto, Paleo, and Whole 30 friendly but we try to be everyone friendly so if you want to sweeten it up, we gave you a great blank canvas to work with.
• COFFEE WITH A KICK - Our Cold Brew Coffee on Tap has 2x the natural caffeine as the average cup of coffee which makes it both deliciously smooth AND impressively powerful.

Buy on Amazon

Water Quality and Temperature

• Water Quality: Use filtered water for the best taste. Tap water can contain minerals or chlorine that negatively affect the flavor of your coffee.
• Water Temperature: Cold brew, by definition, uses cold or room temperature water. A typical range is between 50°F and 70°F. You do not need to heat the water.

Grind Size and Coffee Freshness

• Grind Size: This is crucial for Toddy. You need a coarse grind, similar to breadcrumbs or coarse sea salt. Too fine a grind will result in sediment and over-extraction, leading to bitterness.
• Coffee Freshness: While cold brew is forgiving, using freshly roasted and freshly ground beans will yield the best flavor. Aim to grind your beans just before brewing. Store whole beans in an airtight container away from light and heat.

Coffee-to-Water Ratio

• Ratio: A common starting point for Toddy cold brew is a 1:4 to 1:5 ratio of coffee grounds to water by weight. For example, if you use 8 oz of coffee beans, you would use 32-40 oz of water. This creates a concentrate.
• Adjustments: This ratio can be adjusted based on your preference for concentrate strength. Experiment to find what works best for you.

Cleanliness/Descale Status

• Cleanliness: Ensure all parts of your Toddy system are clean before brewing. Any residual coffee oils or residue can impart stale flavors.
• Descaling: While not as critical for cold brew as for hot brewers, regular cleaning prevents buildup. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and descaling your Toddy system.

Step-by-Step (Brew Workflow)

1. Prepare Your Toddy System: Assemble the brewing container and place it over the decanter. Insert the Toddy paper filter into the brewing container, followed by the reusable felt or metal filter. Ensure the filters are seated correctly.

• What “good” looks like: The filters are snugly in place, creating a seal to prevent grounds from escaping.
• Common mistake: Not properly seating the filters, which can lead to grounds seeping into the concentrate.

2. Measure and Grind Coffee Beans: Weigh your whole coffee beans. A good starting point is a 1:4 or 1:5 coffee-to-water ratio by weight (e.g., 8 oz coffee to 32-40 oz water). Grind the beans to a coarse consistency, similar to coarse sea salt or breadcrumbs.

• What “good” looks like: Uniformly coarse grounds with minimal fines.
• Common mistake: Grinding too fine, which can clog the filter and result in a bitter, muddy brew.

3. Add Coffee Grounds to Filter: Pour the freshly ground coffee into the prepared filters within the brewing container. Gently shake the container to level the grounds, but do not pack them down.

• What “good” looks like: An even bed of coffee grounds.
• Common mistake: Tamping down the grounds, which restricts water flow and can lead to uneven extraction.

4. Add Cold Water: Slowly pour your measured cold or room-temperature filtered water over the coffee grounds. Start by pouring about half the water, letting it saturate the grounds, then pour the remaining water.

• What “good” looks like: All grounds are saturated, and the water level is just below the rim of the brewing container.
• Common mistake: Pouring water too quickly, which can cause grounds to agitate and escape the filter.

5. Stir Gently (Optional but Recommended): Give the coffee and water a very gentle stir to ensure all grounds are fully submerged. Be careful not to disturb the filter too much.

• What “good” looks like: A brief, gentle agitation that wets all grounds.
• Common mistake: Vigorous stirring that can break up the coffee bed and push fines through the filter.

6. Cover and Steep: Place the lid on the brewing container. Let the coffee steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours. Longer steeping times generally result in a stronger concentrate.

• What “good” looks like: The container is sealed and left undisturbed for the steeping period.
• Common mistake: Moving or agitating the brewer during the steeping process, which can disrupt extraction.

7. Prepare for Draining: Once steeping is complete, place the brewing container back on top of the decanter. Remove the lid.

• What “good” looks like: The brewer is securely positioned over the decanter, ready to drain.
• Common mistake: Not placing the brewer securely, risking spills.

8. Allow Concentrate to Drain: Let the concentrate drip slowly through the filters into the decanter. This can take 30 minutes to over an hour. Do not squeeze the grounds.

• What “good” looks like: A steady, slow drip of dark, clear concentrate into the decanter.
• Common mistake: Rushing the draining process by pressing on the grounds, which can force sediment through.

9. Remove Filters and Grounds: Once draining is complete, carefully lift the brewing container. Remove the filters and discard the spent grounds.

• What “good” looks like: The filters are removed cleanly, leaving the decanter with concentrate.
• Common mistake: Leaving the filters in too long, which can lead to over-extraction and bitter flavors.

10. Dilute and Serve: Your Toddy cold brew concentrate is ready. To serve, dilute it with water, milk, or your preferred liquid. A common starting dilution is 1:1 or 1:2 concentrate to water/milk. Serve over ice.

• What “good” looks like: A balanced, smooth coffee beverage that suits your taste.
• Common mistake: Not diluting enough, resulting in an overly strong and bitter drink.

Common Mistakes (and What Happens If You Ignore Them)

Decision Rules

• If your cold brew tastes bitter, then you likely used too fine a grind or over-steeped, because these factors lead to over-extraction.
• If your cold brew has sediment, then your grind was too fine or the filters weren’t seated properly, because fines escaped into the brew.
• If your cold brew tastes weak or watery, then you may need to increase the coffee-to-water ratio or steep for a longer period, because insufficient coffee or extraction time leads to a less concentrated brew.
• If your cold brew has a sour taste, then you might have under-steeped or used a very light roast coffee without proper extraction, because insufficient time doesn’t allow for full flavor development.
• If your cold brew has off-flavors, then check your water quality or the cleanliness of your brewer, because impurities or residue can taint the taste.
• If you want a stronger concentrate, then use more coffee grounds relative to water or steep for a longer duration (within the 12-24 hour range), because these directly increase the dissolved solids in the brew.
• If you want a milder concentrate, then use less coffee grounds relative to water or steep for a shorter duration, because this reduces the intensity of the extraction.
• If you are brewing for the first time, then start with a 1:4 coffee-to-water ratio and a 18-hour steep time, because this provides a balanced starting point for adjustments.
• If you notice grounds escaping the filter during draining, then re-seat the filters more carefully and ensure the coffee bed is level, because proper sealing is key to a clean brew.
• If your cold brew concentrate tastes “muddy,” then your grind is likely too fine, and you should adjust to a coarser setting for future brews.
• If you are in a hurry, then cold brew is not the method for you, because it requires a long steeping time; consider a pour-over or drip coffee instead.

FAQ

Can I use pre-ground coffee for Toddy cold brew?

While you can use pre-ground coffee, it’s highly recommended to grind your beans fresh for the best flavor. If you must use pre-ground, ensure it’s a coarse grind suitable for cold brew.

How long does Toddy cold brew concentrate last?

Properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, Toddy cold brew concentrate can last for up to two weeks. However, the flavor is best enjoyed within the first week.

What kind of coffee beans are best for Toddy cold brew?

You can use any type of coffee bean – light, medium, or dark roast. Darker roasts tend to produce a bolder, chocolatey flavor, while lighter roasts can yield brighter, fruitier notes, though cold brew generally smooths out acidity.

Can I make hot coffee with the Toddy system?

No, the Toddy system is specifically designed for cold brewing. Using hot water would alter the extraction process and is not recommended for this brewer.

How do I store my cold brew concentrate?

Store your concentrate in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps maintain freshness and prevents absorption of other odors from the fridge.

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

Bitterness is usually caused by over-extraction. This can happen if your grind is too fine, you steeped for too long (over 24 hours), or you squeezed the grounds during draining.

How should I dilute my cold brew concentrate?

A good starting point is a 1:1 ratio of concentrate to cold water or milk. You can adjust this ratio to your personal taste preference. Experiment to find your ideal strength.

Is it okay to leave the coffee grounds in the concentrate after brewing?

No, it’s important to remove the coffee grounds and filters after the steeping and draining process. Leaving them in can lead to over-extraction and make the brew bitter.

What This Page Does Not Cover (and Where to Go Next)

• Specific brand recommendations for coffee beans or grinders.
• Detailed troubleshooting for electrical components of automated cold brew makers.
• Advanced techniques like bloom phases or agitation strategies specific to other brewing methods.

Next, you might want to explore:

• Different coffee roast profiles and how they affect cold brew.
• The science behind coffee extraction and why grind size matters.
• Tips for creative cold brew drink recipes and flavor infusions.