There are few things more satisfying than the cool, caffeinated sip of a cup of iced coffee. Somehow it tastes even better when it is conveniently prepared by someone else — a luxury I’ll be missing as the weather warms up and we all continue to stick close to home.

But cold brew is easy to DIY, and we’re sharing all the secrets to enjoying it at home. The first is to make a big batch in advance — a gift to your future self that’s even faster than hopping in the car and whipping through a Starbucks drive-thru. The second secret? Using the same technique that Starbucks — and other big coffee shops — use to make cold brew in bulk. You’ll just need some coffee beans (support your local roaster by ordering them online), a jar and a cold overnight soak. Here’s how to make Starbucks-style cold brew coffee at home.

What is big-batch cold brew?

There are a few ways to make iced coffee at home, but the most well-loved is the cold brew method. Cold brew is really as simple as mixing ground coffee with cool water and steeping the mixture in the fridge overnight. The next day you strain the mixture, leaving you with a concentrate (it’s strong, so you’ll want to dilute it) that can be served right away or stored for up to two weeks.

Beyond the fact that this method makes for a longer-lasting brew that can be prepared in big batches, cold brew coffee also tastes downright incredible. The cold steeping process makes a smooth, mellow cup of coffee that has very little acidity or bitterness.

Why Starbucks-style cold brew?

Say what you will about Starbucks coffee, but big-batch cold brew might just be the thing they do best. Even their darkly roasted coffee tastes sweet and smooth when brewed this way. Starbucks reportedly uses a large-scale Toddy Brewing system to make their large batches, and they soak their cold brew for 20 hours before straining.

We’re going to take some of Starbucks’ cold-brewing principals and use them to make a big batch of coffee that delivers the same sweet, smooth sip in a cup.

3 key steps to better cold brew at home

Get the grind right. Cold brew requires a specific grind. A larger grind — something closer to the coarseness of raw sugar — keeps the brew from getting bitter overnight. If you’ve got a small home grinder, it’s best to grind the beans in batches.

...continued