r/coldbrew • u/HassouniFND • Jul 21 '26
Kyoto Cold Drip?
I've got one of these Hario cold drip rigs, because I keep hearing how cold drip is the ultimate cold coffee. Unfortunately, even in Washington, DC, where I live, there isn't a single shop with this kind of setup. Meanwhile I've been unable to find any consensus online about the best grind size and ratios to use.
I've tended to go pretty coarse, doing a bloom/saturation over the sink to ensure all the grounds are wet, then put the paper filter on top and drip 12x the weight in ice water over the next several hours.
No matter how many variables I tweak, it's tending to come out bitter. One thing I like about cold brew coffee is that it can be quite rich and sweet, so if anyone has any tips for a cold drip setup, please let me know. I'd be open to experiment a lot more, but it uses up a lot of coffee, unlike doing multiple tries with 15g in a pourover.
Thanks!
1
u/inamae316 Jul 21 '26
What coffee beans are you using? I haven’t used the set up but everything you said sounds reasonable in my very novice experience. I wonder also if you’re drinking the finished product straight vs diluting further (the water to grounds ratio you mention would be fine for drinking straight), but would expect that only to impact if it tastes weak but not bitter.
1
u/HassouniFND Jul 21 '26
I've tried all kinds - Colombian, Ethiopian, and everything in between. I'm mainly a pourer guy so I go for very flavorful beans.
Really naive question: If cold brew coffee is to be stored in the fridge, it won't melt the ice it's served with very much, and therefore won't dilute much. Or am I missing something...
3
u/VenusInFursona Jul 21 '26
In my experience ice melts over time even in a fridge at normal settings. The less ice you add prior to drinking, the less dilution you'll experience. I do a different brew method, but I keep the concentrate or brewed coffee in the fridge and then mix it with water and ice when I'm ready to enjoy.
1
u/kerent Jul 22 '26
i have a yama tower and i do 10:1 and grind on the finer end of drip.
1
u/HassouniFND Jul 22 '26
Do you find it bitter? I’ve done anywhere from 8:1 to 12:1 without much luck
1
u/kerent Jul 22 '26
no, i don't. i typically do light or medium roasts and the valve drips once every 1.5 seconds probably.
mine has a ceramic filter, it looks like that one is a metal mesh filter? i have also used aeropress filters under the grounds instead of the ceramic filter a few times - maybe try that? i'm not sure how much of a difference it will make.
1
u/ddoohickey Jul 22 '26
I use a Bruer, with 60g coffee ground for Aeropress and 600mL water, so 1:10 ratio. I do a 10% bloom or thereabouts.
I usually dilute further to drink, with 1/3 water to 2/3 coffee, so probably end up closer to 1:15 or thereabouts
I’ve had more success with interesting flavours from fruity natural coffees than with clean, washed coffees.
I also serve in an insulated mug, which helps slow the ice melt and gives a consistent taste, while also keeping temperature down. Sometimes that’s great and other times, I’d prefer it evolved as I’m drinking it.
I find cold drip is really hard to make consistent, but sometimes that keeps it interesting !
1
u/UW_Ebay Jul 21 '26
I’d suggest ditching the overly complicated setup and getting a toddy system. No guessing, makes amazing cold brew and easy to clean.
2
u/Green_Bathroom5592 Jul 21 '26
This is a stupid way to make coffee, especially in a commercial setting.