The Barnaby Blog 28 June 2025

rob72401
22 hours ago
4 min read

I'm stepping in for Barnaby this week! If you're like me you love your coffee and keep looking for opportunities to sample new roasts, brewing methods and combinations. One area I've always enjoyed but haven't explored as much is cold brew. I've done some digging and written a wee blog this week about enjoying cold brew at home using the fantastic retail coffees we sell here at Barnaby & Boo's. Enjoy!

The Cool Revolution: Mastering Cold Brew Coffee at Home

As the warmer months approach, coffee lovers everywhere are rediscovering the smooth, refreshing world of cold brew. Unlike its hot-brewed cousin, cold brew coffee offers a mellow, less acidic profile that's perfect for sipping on sunny afternoons or as the base for creative coffee cocktails and mocktails.

At its heart, cold brew is beautifully simple: coarsely ground coffee steeped in cold water for an extended period. This gentle extraction method brings out the coffee's natural sweetness while minimizing bitterness, creating a concentrate that's incredibly versatile.

Why Cold Brew?

Cold brewing transforms coffee in remarkable ways. The extended steeping time at room temperature extracts different compounds than hot brewing, resulting in a smoother, more balanced cup. The lower acidity makes it easier on the stomach, while the concentrated nature means you can customize strength to your preference and create a variety of drinks from a single batch.

Choosing Your Beans

Not all coffees are created equal when it comes to cold brew. We've been experimenting with several exceptional blends from Square Mile Coffee Roasters, and the results have been outstanding. Their signature blends work beautifully for cold extraction, but we're particularly excited about their new Choc Ice blend – a coffee that seems practically designed for cold brewing with its rich, chocolatey notes and smooth finish.

The key is selecting beans with flavor profiles that shine when extracted slowly and gently. Look for coffees with chocolate, nutty, or fruity tasting notes, as these characteristics become more pronounced in the cold brew process.

Square Mile's Recommended Cold Brew Recipe

VOLUME 1 LITRE

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Choc Ice (80g of coffee per 1 litre of water, when using a fine grind size suitable for espresso brewing). If your grinder doesn’t grind fine enough, you can experiment with 85g of coffee per 1 litre of water to increase the strength.

Grinder
Brewing container (large enough to hold 1 litre of liquid)
Cold, filtered water
A serving vessel to pour the brewed coffee into
METHOD:

Grind the quantity of coffee needed for the brew. Use the same grind size that you would use for espresso.

For example, for a 1 litre batch, grind 80 grams of coffee.

Pour the ground coffee into a container and pour in 1 litre of cold, filtered water. Give the mixture a vigorous stir with a whisk or a spoon to ensure all coffee groundsare saturated.

Allow the brew to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Place the container in the fridge overnight. This will allow the brew to chill down to fridge temperature and settlethe grounds to the bottom of the container, in essence, filtering itself.

Now it’s time to serve your cold brew. Remove the container from the fridge carefully to avoid disrupting the coffee grounds at the bottom.

To serve all at once, gently pour the entire batch* directly into your serving container. To serve a little at a time, gently pour just what you need and transfer the rest into a separate, sealable container for storage.

Dispose of the used grounds and remaining liquid. Give the brew a stir, serve and enjoy. Consume within 2-3 days.

*As soon as it starts to appear more cloudy with some sediment, stop pouring to ensure a clean taste.

The Coffee Enthusiast's Mocktail: Vanilla Spice Cold Brew Spritz

Now for something special – a sophisticated mocktail that elevates your cold brew experience without any alcohol. This refreshing drink combines the rich depth of cold brew with bright, effervescent notes that dance on the palate.

Ingredients:

3 oz cold brew
1 oz vanilla simple syrup*
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
2-3 dashes of orange bitters (optional, but recommended)
4 oz sparkling water
Ice
Orange peel and a cinnamon stick for garnish

Method:

In a tall glass filled with ice, combine cold brew concentrate, vanilla syrup, lemon juice, and orange bitters.
Stir gently to combine.
Top with sparkling water and stir once more.
Express oils from an orange peel over the drink and drop it in.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick for stirring and aromatic appeal.

*For vanilla simple syrup: Combine equal parts sugar and water with a vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla extract) and simmer until sugar dissolves. Cool before using.

This mocktail strikes a perfect balance between coffee's earthiness and bright, citrusy notes, while the sparkling water adds a celebratory lift. The vanilla complements coffee's natural sweetness, and the hint of spice from the cinnamon creates a complex, layered drinking experience.

Tips for Cold Brew Success

Grind consistency matters: Aim for a fine espresso grind for maximum taste but if your grinder doesn't grind fine enough aim for a coarse grind similar to breadcrumbs

Water quality counts: Since cold brew is predominantly water, use filtered water for the cleanest taste.

Experiment with ratios: Start with a 1:4 coffee-to-water ratio for concentrate, but adjust based on your taste preferences and chosen beans.

Storage wisdom: Keep your concentrate refrigerated and covered. It's actually better after a day or two as flavors meld and mellow.

Beyond the Basics

Once you've mastered the fundamental technique, cold brew becomes a canvas for creativity. Try different brewing times, experiment with various bean origins, or infuse your brew with spices during the steeping process. Cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans, or even a few cardamom pods can add interesting dimensions to your cold brew.

The beauty of cold brew lies in its forgiving nature and versatility. Whether you're a coffee purist who enjoys it simply over ice or someone who loves experimenting with elaborate coffee creations, cold brew provides a smooth, concentrated foundation for endless possibilities.

So grab your favorite beans – perhaps that intriguing Choc Ice from Square Mile – and start your cold brew journey. Your taste buds (and your summer afternoons) will thank you.

See you real soon!

Rob, Amanda, Barnaby & Boo 🐾

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