Quick answer
To make cold brew at home with Folgers ground coffee, use a 1:4 coffee-to-water ratio for concentrate or 1:8 for ready-to-drink, steep in the fridge for 12 to 18 hours, then strain. Start with 1 cup of Folgers ground coffee and 4 cups of cold water for a concentrate you can dilute with water or milk.
Why Folgers Ground Coffee Works for Cold Brew
Folgers ground coffee is already ground for drip brewers, which is slightly finer than ideal for cold brew. That means you will get a full-flavored concentrate, but you must strain it well to avoid silt. A medium-dark roast like Folgers Gourmet Supreme gives a smooth yet robust base that stands up to milk and ice. If you prefer a lighter, balanced cup, Folgers Colombian in K-Cup pods is an option, but for cold brew you want ground coffee, not pods. Stick with a bag or canister of ground Folgers and grind it coarser at home if you have a grinder.
Pick Your Ratio: Concentrate vs. Ready-to-Drink
The cold brew ground coffee ratio is the single biggest factor in how your cold brew tastes. For a concentrate that you dilute later, use 1 part coffee to 4 parts water by volume. For a ready-to-drink batch, use 1 part coffee to 8 parts water. If you are using a kitchen scale, aim for 1 ounce of coffee to 4 ounces of water for concentrate. A common mistake is guessing the ratio; measure with a measuring cup or scale so you can repeat the result.
Step-by-Step Cold Brew Recipe
This folgers cold brew recipe makes about 3 cups of concentrate. You will need a large jar or pitcher, a fine-mesh strainer, and a coffee filter or cheesecloth. The process is simple but the cold brew steep time is what builds flavor, so plan ahead. Do not rush it with warm water; cold water extracts slowly and avoids bitterness.
Your Cold Brew Game Plan
- Measure coffee and water: For concentrate, combine 1 cup Folgers ground coffee with 4 cups cold water in a large jar. For ready-to-drink, use 1 cup coffee to 8 cups water. Checkpoint: Use a scale if you have one; 1 ounce coffee to 4 ounces water by weight is a reliable concentrate ratio.
- Stir gently and cover: Stir once to wet all grounds, then cover the jar. Do not shake vigorously; you want the grounds fully saturated, not agitated. Common mistake: Leaving dry pockets of coffee at the bottom, which weakens the final brew.
- Steep in the fridge: Refrigerate for 12 to 18 hours. Taste at 12 hours; if you want a stronger brew, go up to 18 hours. Checkpoint: Do not steep longer than 24 hours or it may turn bitter and woody.
- Strain twice: Pour through a fine-mesh strainer lined with a coffee filter or cheesecloth into a clean jar. Discard grounds and repeat straining if you see silt. Common mistake: Skipping the second strain; Folgers ground coffee is finer than coarse cold brew grind, so double straining keeps the texture clean.
- Store and serve: Keep concentrate in the fridge for up to 5 days. To serve, dilute 1 part concentrate with 1 to 2 parts water or milk over ice. Next step: Adjust dilution to taste and note your favorite ratio for next time.
Folgers Coffees That Fit Cold Brew
- Folgers Gourmet Supreme Medium-Dark Roast Ground Coffee, 22.6 Ounce Canister: Folgers Gourmet Supreme Medium-Dark Roast Ground Coffee, 22.6 Ounce Canister This medium-dark roast ground coffee gives you a smooth yet robust base that holds up well to cold water and milk, and the large canister gives you enough to experiment with ratios.
- Folgers Colombian Coffee, Medium Roast, Keurig K-Cup Pods, 10 Count Box (Pack of 6): Folgers Colombian Coffee, Medium Roast, Keurig K-Cup Pods, 10 Count Box (Pack of 6) If you already own a Keurig and want a quick cold brew shortcut, you can brew a strong cup over ice, but for true cold brew you need ground coffee, not pods.
