Cold drip coffee is one of the smoothest and most refreshing ways to enjoy coffee, especially on a warm South African afternoon. Using a Bruer Cold Drip system makes the process simple while giving you a clean, rich brew packed with flavour.
Here’s a straightforward step-by-step guide to help you make café-quality cold drip coffee at home.
Step One: Measure Your Coffee
What You’ll Need
- 60 g freshly ground coffee
- Medium grind size
- Medium roast coffee
Freshly ground beans will always give you the best flavour, so try grinding just before brewing if possible.
Step Two: Assemble the Filter
Make sure the finer side of the mesh filter is facing upwards.
Then place the glass tower into the filter securely.
Step Three: Add Coffee to the Tower
Pour your 60 g of coffee into the tower.
Give it a gentle shake to level the coffee bed evenly. This helps the water drip through more consistently during brewing.
Step Four: Insert the Filter
Carefully place the tower into the carafe.
Then place either a paper filter or reusable filter on top of the coffee grounds.
This helps distribute the water evenly across the surface.
Step Five: Pre-Wet the Coffee
Add 60 ml of water to lightly soak the coffee grounds.
This step is important because it allows the coffee to bloom and helps create a more even extraction.
Step Six: Insert the Valve
Carefully push the plug down into the tower.
A handy tip: slightly wet the lip of the seal first to help it slide into place more smoothly.
Step Seven: Measure Your Water and Ice
Measure out roughly 700 g of ice and water combined — about half water and half ice works well.
Pour this mixture into the tower.
The ice helps slow down the brewing process, which is part of what gives cold drip coffee its smooth, low-acidity flavour.
Step Eight: Set the Drip Rate
When the etched line on the stainless steel valve tube lines up with the slot in the silicone, the valve is fully open.
Turn the knob clockwise to slow the drip rate.
Bruer recommends aiming for around one drip per second, which sits nicely within the ideal brewing range.
A slower drip generally creates a cleaner, sweeter cup.
Step Nine: Enjoy
Now comes the easy part.
Sit back, relax, and let the Bruer Cold Drip system do its thing. Once brewing is complete, you’ll be rewarded with a beautifully smooth cold brew coffee that’s refreshing, rich, and incredibly easy to drink.
Serve it over ice, enjoy it black, or add a splash of milk depending on your preference.
Final Thoughts
Cold drip brewing is a fun way to explore different flavour profiles in coffee. Small adjustments to your beans, grind size, or drip speed can completely change the final cup.
Don’t be afraid to experiment a bit until you find your perfect brew.
Before long, you’ll be making coffee that rivals your favourite local café — right from your own kitchen.
For more brewing guides, coffee recipes, and practical coffee tips, subscribe to The Coffee Blog newsletter and stay connected to the world of speciality coffee.
Happy brewing!
