Honestly, I don’t like Starbucks cold brew coffee. It has a strange sour flavor to me. Maybe they were having an off day when they made it, but it hasn’t been a drink I’ve been loving. The price for the cold brew doesn’t make sense either. It’s more expensive than their iced coffee.

I’m not that hip, but I make my own cold brew coffee. Of course I’ve wanted all the cool tools like a coffee grinder and a pretty pour over contraption, but I buy whole beans at the store and grind them there. The french press I use comes from T.J. Maxx.

Making cold brew coffee at home is easy and cheap. It takes probably 2 minutes out of your day to prepare it. I’m thankful that the process is easy. I love a tall glass of iced cold brew any day of the week and at any time of the day. That has become a problem because I’m wide awake for hours if I have cold brew after 1 p.m.

You can make your cold brew coffee in a french press, a big mason jar, or a pitcher. You don’t need anything spectacular.

I use a french press because it’s easier to put in my refrigerator. The ratio of ground coffee to water will differ if you’re not using a french press.

The key thing you need to know about making cold brew is: you must start with whole beans and then grind them. When you grind them, the setting should be on course. Honestly, I don’t know the reasoning of this. Every article I’ve read about making cold brew coffee and grinding your coffee beans shares that the coffee grounds need to be course.

I like using Peet’s Coffee. Their coffee is delicious and it’s easy to find their whole beans at the store.

I use 1/3 cup of grounded coffee in my french press. Easy, peasy.

Now this is the hard part – add filtered water. That is it! Actually the hardest part is waiting. So make it the night before and your morning will be heavenly.

I put plastic wrap over my french press when I put it in the fridge. You DON’T want to press the plunger down when you put it in the refrigerator because you want you all the water and ground coffee to mix and do it’s heavenly dance.

One of my favorite things to do with my coffee is add condensed milk. Yes, it’s super sweet but it’s incredibly delicious. Now you’re making Vietnamese coffee!

When it comes to your second day of drinking your coffee (if you’re using a french press), I would pour the coffee over a coffee filter. It catches all the sludge, which is gross and should not be enjoyed. If you’re using a pitcher or jar, I would also recommend pouring the coffee over a coffee filter. Cheers!