There's nothing quite like a refreshing cold brew coffee on a warm day, and at Pokie Surf Café, our baristas have perfected the art of making it. The good news? You can replicate that smooth, rich flavor at home with a few simple steps. Follow our expert tips to brew the perfect cold brew coffee in your own kitchen.

1. Choose the Right Beans The foundation of any great cold brew is high-quality coffee beans. We recommend using medium to dark roast beans for a bolder flavor profile. Look for beans with chocolate, nutty, or caramel notes, as they tend to complement the cold brew process best.

2. Grind the Beans Coarsely For cold brew, it’s important to grind your beans coarsely—similar to the texture of breadcrumbs. A finer grind can lead to over-extraction and bitterness. Aim for about 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee for every 4 cups of water.

3. Use Cold Water and Steep Slowly Combine your coarsely ground coffee with cold, filtered water in a large jar or pitcher. Stir the mixture gently, cover, and let it steep in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours. The longer it steeps, the stronger the flavor. We recommend steeping for around 16 hours for the perfect balance.

4. Strain the Coffee Once your coffee has steeped, strain it using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the grounds. You’ll be left with smooth, concentrated cold brew. You can dilute it with water or milk to your desired strength.

5. Serve and Enjoy Pour your cold brew over ice and add your favorite milk or sweetener if desired. At Pokie Surf Café, we love pairing ours with a splash of oat milk or a hint of vanilla syrup for a refreshing, indulgent treat.

Making the perfect cold brew at home is easy with these tips from our baristas. Try it yourself and enjoy the rich, smooth flavors of cold brew anytime, right from your own kitchen.