⭐ How to Make Cold Brew : Complete Guide
In the intense heat of a Jeddah afternoon or a dry Riyadh summer, nothing beats a Cold Brew.
Cold Brew has exploded in popularity across Saudi Arabia, becoming a staple in specialty cafés from the Eastern Province to the Red Sea coast. But here is the truth: you don’t need expensive equipment to make café-quality Cold Brew. You just need patience and the right technique.
Through our experience at Saudi Coffee Crafters, tasting countless variations and consulting with local baristas, we have refined the perfect method. Here is how to make a Cold Brew that is strong, smooth, and perfectly suited for the Saudi palate.
☕ What Is Cold Brew?
Many people confuse Cold Brew with Iced Coffee, but they are completely different.
- Iced Coffee: Hot coffee that has been cooled down and poured over ice. It often retains high acidity and bitterness.
- Cold Brew: Coffee extracted slowly using cold or room-temperature water for 12–24 hours.
The Result: A drink that is naturally sweet, significantly less acidic, and carries a rich, heavy body.
⭐ Why Cold Brew is Winning in Saudi Arabia
Based on our café insights, here is why this drink is dominating menus in 2025:
- Climate Perfect: It is the ultimate refreshment for the Kingdom’s hot climate.
- Stomach Friendly: The low acidity makes it accessible for those sensitive to the bitterness of traditional espresso.
- Highly Customizable: It acts as the perfect canvas for local favorite flavors like Pistachio, Saffron, and Rose.
- Convenience: It has a long shelf life, staying fresh in the fridge for 5–7 days.
🔧 How to Make the Perfect Cold Brew (Expert Method)
This method replicates the standard used by top specialty cafés in Riyadh and Khobar.
1️⃣ Step 1: Choose the Right Coffee Beans
The long extraction time amplifies the bean’s natural flavors.
- Ethiopian (Natural Process): The top choice for KSA. It yields a fruity, berry-like sweetness.
- Colombian: produces a balanced, chocolatey, and caramel profile.
- Brazilian: Great for a nutty, traditional coffee taste.
Pro Tip: Use a Medium-Light or Medium Roast. Dark roasts often turn harsh and bitter when steeped for too long.
2️⃣ Step 2: The Grind (Crucial)
You cannot use store-bought pre-ground coffee (which is usually fine).
- Grind Size: Very Coarse.
- Visual Texture: It should look like Rock Salt.
- Why? Fine grounds will over-extract, making the coffee muddy and bitter.
3️⃣ Step 3: The Golden Ratio
At Saudi Coffee Crafters, we recommend making a Concentrate so you can adjust the strength later.
| Type | Ratio | Recipe Example | Use For |
| Concentrate | 1:5 | 200g Coffee / 1 Liter Water | Diluting with water, milk, or syrups |
| Ready-to-Drink | 1:8 | 125g Coffee / 1 Liter Water | Drinking straight black |
4️⃣ Step 4: The Setup
You don’t need a fancy tower. Immersion is the best method for home.
- Use a large Mason jar, a French Press, or a specialized Cold Brew pot.
- Combine water and coffee, then stir gently to ensure all grounds are wet.
5️⃣ Step 5: Brew Time (The Secret Sauce)
- Time: 18 to 20 hours.
- Location: Room Temperature.
- Why room temp? Brewing in the fridge takes too long to extract the fruity notes of specialty beans. Room temperature extraction provides a fuller, richer body.
6️⃣ Step 6: Filtration
This distinguishes a home brew from a pro brew.
- Strain through a fine-mesh sieve (or press your French Press).
- Expert Step: Pour it through a paper filter (like a V60 or Chemex filter) to remove the “sludge.” This gives you that crystal-clear look.
7️⃣ Step 7: Chill
Place the finished concentrate in the fridge for 2–4 hours before serving.
🧊 Serving Styles (The Saudi Way)
Once you have your concentrate, here is how to serve it like a local café:
- The Classic: Dilute concentrate 1:1 with water over ice.
- Saudi Latte Style: Dilute concentrate 1:1 with cold milk.
- The Riyadh Trend (Pistachio): Mix cold milk with a teaspoon of pistachio sauce, pour over ice, and top with Cold Brew.
- The Saffron Twist: Add a dash of saffron syrup for a premium, aromatic finish.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
We see these errors in homes and cafés constantly. Avoid them to ensure quality:
- Using Fine Grind: Results in a gritty, bitter “mud.”
- Rushing the Brew: Steeping for only 8 hours results in weak, sour water.
- Using Tap Water: Coffee is 98% water. If your tap water tastes metallic, your coffee will too. Always use filtered water.
- Forgetting to Dilute: If you made the 1:5 concentrate, don’t drink it straight unless you want a serious caffeine jitter!
☕ A Barista’s Note: The Bean Matters
Experience from the Saudi Coffee Crafters Team
One of the best Cold Brews we ever reviewed was in a minimalist café in Northern Riyadh. They used a natural Ethiopian bean and brewed it for exactly 20 hours.
There was no sugar, no milk, and no syrup—yet it tasted like blueberry juice and dark chocolate. It proved that when you respect the variable of time and use quality beans, Cold Brew transforms from a simple caffeine fix into a complex culinary experience.
📘 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the best grind size for Cold Brew?
You need a very coarse grind, similar to sea salt or breadcrumbs.
2. How long should I steep the coffee?
We recommend 18–20 hours at room temperature for the best balance of sweetness and strength.
3. Can I use Espresso Roast beans?
You can, but we don’t recommend it. Darker roasts can taste charcoal-like/burnt when brewed for this long. Medium roasts are superior.
4. Should I brew in the fridge or on the counter?
Brew on the counter (room temp). It extracts flavor faster and better. Put it in the fridge after you strain it.
5. How long does Cold Brew last?
In an airtight container in the fridge, it stays fresh for 5 to 7 days.
6. Why is my Cold Brew cloudy?
It likely wasn’t filtered enough. Try passing it through a paper coffee filter for that professional clarity.
☕ Explore More Saudi Coffee Crafters Guides
If you enjoyed learning how to make Cold Brew, you’ll love our other step-by-step specialty coffee guides. For a dessert-style coffee experience, check out our Affogato recipe, where hot espresso meets creamy gelato for the perfect contrast. If you prefer something classic and bold, explore how to make an Americano, one of the cleanest and most refreshing black coffee drinks popular across Saudi cafés. And if you’re a fan of milk-based drinks, don’t miss our expert Cappuccino guide, crafted specifically to match the standards of Riyadh and Jeddah’s top specialty shops.
- How to Make an Affogato → https://saudicoffeecrafters.com/how-to-make-an-affogato/
- How to Make an Americano → https://saudicoffeecrafters.com/how-to-make-an-americano/
- How to Make a Cappuccino → https://saudicoffeecrafters.com/how-to-make-a-cappuccino/
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