How to Make Iced Coffee in French Press? - The Housewife in Training Files

Last updated on October 8th, 2022 at 07:48 pm

Own a French press? Did you know that in addition to making a hot cup of coffee, you can use a French press to make iced coffee? This genius pitcher with a plunger makes for an easy, mess-free brewing process.

This article will look at two different ways you can use a French Press to make delicious iced coffee.

Table of Contents

Make Iced Coffee in French Press Step by Step

Ingredients

One cup of ground dark roast coffee
2 cups of water (16 oz)
34 oz French Press

Method 1: Cold Brew Iced Coffee Using A French Press

Step 1 – Grind the coffee

Use a coffee grinder to grind the beans to a medium grind. Striking the right grind balance is important. Too fine, and the iced coffee will have sediment. Too coarse, and you’ll be stuck with barely flavorful coffee.

Step 2 – Heat water

Heat the 2 cups of water to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit using an electric kettle. Alternatively, boil the water on a stovetop, then let it cool for a minute.

Step 3 – Add coffee grounds

Add the coffee grounds to the bottom of the French press pitcher.

Step 4 – Let the coffee sit

Add water to the height of the coffee grounds and allow it to sit for 1 minute. Stir for even distribution.

Step 5 – Fill with water

Fill the French press with water to the top, and stir some more. Wait for 4 minutes.

Step 6 – Time to plunge

Cover the pitcher with its lid and slowly press the plunger down to the bottom.

Step 7 – Serve

Fill two glasses with ice and pour the hot coffee. Ideally, half of the ice should melt. Add more ice if necessary.

Method 2: Brewed Iced Coffee With a French Press

Cold brews are less acidic than hot brews, allowing you to enjoy the smooth flavors fully.

Step 1 – Measure your coffee

Measure 4 oz of medium ground coffee beans and put them in the French press.

Step 2 – Add water

Measure 2 cups of filtered water and add it to the French press.

Step 3 – Stir and leave to steep

Stir gently, ensuring all the coffee grounds are wet.

Step 4 – Press the plunger

Press the plunger down 1 to 2 inches to ensure all the coffee grounds are properly submerged. Don’t press all the way down. Place the entire French press inside a refrigerator and leave it to steep for 18 or more hours.

Step 5 – Ready to use

After brewing, press the plunger all the way down and pour out the coffee concentrate. Transfer to an airtight jar or bottle and keep refrigerated for up to a week. Your cold brew is now ready to drink!

Read more: How To Make Iced Coffee At Home?

What tools do you need to make French press iced coffee?

The first thing you need to make French press iced coffee is the French press itself! The rest of the tools are optional.

A French Press. The Espro Coffee Press P3-32 stands out for its brew quality, ease of use, and design quality.
A coffee grinder. Any coffee grinder will work, as long as you end up with a medium grind. You can also use pre-ground coffee.
Water. Filtered water is the best choice for flavorful coffee.

Kitchen scale. For accuracy, use a digital scale to weigh ingredients. Alternatively, you can use the 1 part coffee, 4 parts water ratio.
Electric kettle. Preferably use an electric kettle with a thermometer to correctly measure water temperature. You can also boil water on a stovetop and use a digital thermometer to measure the temperature.

What flavors to add to make French press iced coffee taste nicer?

Rich, velvety smooth plain iced coffee tastes great on its own. But, for days when you’re looking for a little extra, the following flavors are what you must add to your traditional French press iced coffee.

Cream or milk

Adding milk or cream is a popular way to have iced coffee. Instead of plain black French press iced coffee, add some milk to make it denser and creamier. If you’re feeling fancy, whip some cream and add it last to your coffee drink.

Syrup

The list is endless when it comes to the different syrup flavors you can add to iced coffee. The most common choice is vanilla. It’s safe, familiar, and comfortable. You can’t go wrong with it. But if you’re feeling adventurous, you can experiment with mint, pumpkin, cinnamon, or maple syrups.

Extracts

Just like syrups, you can add sauces to your French press iced coffee. Chocolate, caramel, and butterscotch are yummy choices that add rich flavor to iced coffee. Because of their density, sauces work best when drizzled into the coffee instead of stirred.

Spices

Nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon make for tasty spicy additions to French press iced coffee.

Sweetener

Honey and agave nectar make for great sweeteners to flavor a French press iced coffee. Although you can use sugar, it’s not the best option for an iced coffee simply because it won’t dissolve quick enough and will settle at the bottom of the glass. You’d get better results making a syrup by heating sugar and water and using that instead.

How to serve iced coffee made using a French press

Iced coffee is best served in a tall glass. Fill a glass with ice and pour the iced coffee over it. To enhance the flavor, you can add milk or cream, and drizzle syrup or sauce over the top.

Final Take

If it’s getting hotter where you live, and you still need your caffeine fix, then give these simple recipes a shot. You can easily whip up some delicious iced coffee from the comfort of your kitchen. After making it a couple of times, you can tweak the water to coffee ratio to suit your preference. Impress your friends with your newly acquired iced-coffee making skills. Happy brewing!

FAQ About Making Iced Coffee with French Press

What is the coffee-to-water ratio when making a French press iced coffee?

The correct ratio for French press iced coffee is 8 tbsp per 12 oz of water. The higher coffee quantity accounts for the ice that will melt, thus increasing the water content in the iced coffee.

What grind is best for French press iced coffee?

A medium grind is the best choice for French press iced coffee. A fine grind creates sediment, and a coarse grind is not flavorful enough.

How long should you steep your coffee in a French press?

Allow the coffee to bloom between 30 and 60 seconds. After adding the rest of the water, allow it to steep for 4 minutes before plunging. If you like your coffee stronger, let it steep for longer.

How long to brew cold brew coffee in a French press?

For a cold brew, it will take 5 minutes to make, but up to 15 hours before it’s ready. The longer brew time contributes to a richer flavor.

Is the French press the same as cold brew?

No, they are not the same. French press takes a few minutes to make, while a cold brew steeps for 12 or more hours.

Why Make an Iced Coffee with a French Press?

A French press is great because it retains the full flavor needed to make a great-tasting iced coffee. Drip and pour-over coffee methods can get the job done, but you’ll likely end up with a watered-down version of iced coffee.

What is the Best Coffee for Making a French Press Iced Coffee?

Medium to dark roast is the best choice for iced coffee because of the combination of great taste and medium acidity. Dark roast is superior, and some of the best options include Colombian Supremo, dark roasted South American, dark roast blends, and Sumatrans.