Make the perfect cup of coffee involves many factors; from selecting the ideal beans to how the water is brewed and what add-ins you use. Perfecting this process may prove challenging, but there’s one easy way to ensure a satisfying cold brew experience: steep your grounds longer than usual.

This technique eliminates much of the bitterness found in inexpensive gas station coffee and creates a drink with amazing smoothness and depth of flavor. Plus, this DIY approach to cold brew production at home is much cheaper than purchasing ready-made cold brew from stores!

Cold brew coffee requires two things: ground coffee and water. You can either grind your own beans on a coarse setting of your coffee grinder, or buy them at the grocery store; finely-ground beans may become over-infused during the long brewing process and should have similar-sized granules to cornmeal or slightly rougher ones. Furthermore, you will require a container to brew it in as well as something to strain it with (e.g. cheesecloth, flour sacking bags or metal sieve) once finished brewing has finished its long journey – the smoother its final output will be.

Once you have all of the ingredients, simply pour your coffee into a jar or other large container and leave it at room temperature for 18-24 hours to steep. As long as it sits there, the stronger its taste will become, so feel free to adjust the ratio of coffee-to-water as required to suit your tastes.

After your brewing time is up, gently stir and transfer the grounds to another large jar or pitcher. Refrigerate the mixture if you’re looking for maximum strength; or strain twice through a paper coffee filter or cheesecloth-lined sieve for maximum concentration for cold brew. A second straining should remove most of the coffee bean sediment; however if bitterness remains after this step is completed you can add water until desired flavor profile has been met.

Pour your concentrated cold brew over ice and add any desired ingredients for flavoring and sip immediately or make a hot version by diluting one-to-one with water and heating in a saucepan or microwave. Or for an easy breakfast on the go, mix in butter or ghee to create bulletproof coffee; the melting fats will smoothen out its consistency while adding an irresistibly sweet note – an irresistibly tasty way to start your day!