What do you usually get when ordering a drink from Starbucks? Is it the all-time favorite Latte? Macchiato?
Or are you into something unique not just in the taste but also in the brewing process? If yes, then you must like the Starbucks cold brew coffee.
If I got it right, then you also must be wondering how to make Starbucks cold brew coffee.
This is a common question since many people want to know how their coffees are being made. But some are curious about this because they want to make one at home.
Whatever your reason, this article will help you find out how Starbucks makes its cold brew coffee and how you can replicate it at home.
So stay with me until the end of this article.
What is cold brew coffee?
Cold brew coffee has been around since the 1600s. It was first created in Kyoto, Japan.
What makes this coffee different from other regular coffee we know is the brewing process.
Unlike normal coffee, which uses hot water to brew and extract flavors from the coffee, cold brew coffee only uses cold or room-temperature water to extract flavors from the coffee grounds.
Therefore, it has to take 12-24 hours, many times longer than if you’re going to use hot water for brewing.
Making a cold brew concentrate has the advantage of having lower acidity and being sweeter and smoother than hot coffee.
And you don’t need to be an expert brewer to make this coffee. It also does not require a lot of effort, but you will be needing a lot of patience.
Additionally, some coffee drink recipes also call for the use of specialized equipment. However, cold brew does not.
All you need is coffee grounds, a pitcher, and water.
Making this coffee recipe is very easy. Let’s see how Starbucks makes its version of cold brew.
How to make Starbucks cold brew coffee
Making Starbucks cold brew is just the same as the normal process of making a normal cold brew.
So how can you make a Starbucks cold brew?
The secret is in the Starbucks cold brew coffee pitcher packs. This is specially made by Starbucks to help you make their cold brew version at home.
It’s made with 110% arabica ground coffee from Latin America and Africa.
Making a cold brew using Starbucks’ pitcher pack is very easy.
These pitcher packs will surely give you the Starbucks cold brew concentrate as it has the same cold brew blend that Starbucks use.
It includes packs of coffee grounds that are ready to use if you want to make a cold brew.
What we love about this is that you won’t need a coffee filter after brewing since the coffee grounds are packed and cannot spread into the water.
To use these packs, you need to:
- Get a pitcher, jar, or any container that can be used as long as the pitcher packs fit on it.
- Put 48 fl oz of room temperature water into the container.
- Place the 2 pitcher packs inside. (Make sure your pitcher does have enough space to accommodate both water and pitcher packs).
- Leave it inside your refrigerator or in a cold place where no one can touch it.
- Let it steep for about 12-24 hours.
Starbucks at Home – New Cold Brew Coffee Pitcher Packs
You now have a perfectly concentrated cold brew that you can enjoy with your friends and family.
You can also dilute it by adding an equal or more part of cold water, depending on your preference.
Aside from water, you can also dilute it with milk or any cream chargers you have in your kitchen.
This is to lessen the bitterness, strength, and concentration of the coffee, which results in a smooth and refreshing drink.
What is the best ratio recipe for cold brewing coffee?
The best ratio to use if you want to make a cold brew is 1:8 coffee-to-water.
This ratio will result in a really good cold brew concentrate that you can surely enjoy.
So if you manually want to measure coffee grounds and water to make cold brew drink at home instead of buying a Starbucks pack pitcher, then I recommend you to follow this ratio.
However, if you decide to use the Starbucks pack pitcher, you just have to follow the above instruction regarding how much water and packs you need to use, and you’re good to go.
What blend of coffee does Starbucks use for cold brew?
Starbucks uses a 70% Narino Colombia Supremo blend, which is a Colombian coffee bean with a tender acidity, herbal notes, and a tasty flavor.
It’s blended with a 30% eastern African blend, which is sweet with mild citrus acidity and chocolate notes.
These blends result in the best brew Starbucks cold could offer.
Starbucks has become an expert in blending ground coffee, so purchasing their pitcher packs to make your cold brew will not disappoint!
Is Starbucks cold brew the same as iced coffee drink?
No. Iced coffee and cold brew coffee drink from Starbucks aren’t the same. Although these two usually confuse many coffee drinkers.
Just like what’s already mentioned above, Starbucks cold brew coffee is made by steeping ground coffee into room temperature or cold water.
Time is the key to extracting enough flavors from the ground coffee, and there’s no hot water involved in the equation.
On the other hand, iced coffee from Starbucks, just like the usual coffee, is made by brewing using hot water.
It then afterward will have ice on it to make it cold. But it doesn’t change the fact that it still uses hot water and not cold water in brewing.
Cold brew and iced coffee will forever be different, not just in the brewing process but also in their taste, so do not be confused.
Conclusion
And there you have it: cold brew coffee drink! Remember, you don’t have to go to Starbucks or any other coffee shop to get your favorite cold brew cups of coffee.
Starbucks is generous in sharing its recipes and will even provide you with materials such as pitcher packs so that you can replicate their drink at home.
I hope this article was able to help you in many ways possible. Thank you so much for reading!
FAQs
Do you put milk in a cold brew?
Yes, you can put milk in a cold brew if it’s what you prefer. That’s also a way of diluting it since if you’re going to drink cold brew concentrate alone, that could be strong and bitter. It’s really recommended to dilute your coffee with milk or water.
Which is a healthier iced coffee or cold brew?
Cold brew is healthier than iced coffee. Cold brew has low acidity compared to iced coffee and other regular coffees. It’s because it doesn’t use hot water as a part of the brewing process since hot water extracts acidity from the coffee beans. Aside from that, cold brew also has a lot of other health benefits that you can acquire while drinking it.
Does Starbucks put sugar in their cold brew?
No. Starbucks doesn’t put sugar in their cold brew cups. However, you can ask them for sugar if you prefer a cold brew with sugar.
What are the other Starbucks cold-brew flavors?
Starbucks didn’t just stick to the original cold brew and leave it alone as it is. Starbucks also made an evolution for this coffee drink. They now offer different flavors and variations of cold brews, such as:
- Chocolate cream cold brew
- Vanilla sweet cream cold brew
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
- Salted Caramel Sweet Cream Cold Brew
- Cold Brew Coffee with Milk