Cold Brew Coffee

Choosing the Right Cold Brew System

Cold brew systems in this collection span home use through to professional café production. Here's how to navigate the range:

Home brewing (under £100): The Toddy Home Cold Brew System is the most popular starting point — simple, effective, and producing a smooth concentrate that keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks. The Toddy Go Brewer is the portable option, ideal for smaller batches or brewing on the go. Both come with replacement filter packs available to keep your system running.

Commercial and café use (£100–£650+): The Toddy Commercial Cold Brew System is designed for cafés and hospitality venues that want to offer cold brew consistently at scale. The Toddy Pro Series takes this further — a premium stainless steel system built for high-volume production with a professional finish suited to front-of-house display. For commercial buyers, a trade account is available for business pricing and dedicated support.

Cold drip (Bruer): The Bruer Cold Brew Coffee Maker uses a slow drip method — cold water drips through coffee grounds over several hours — rather than full immersion steeping. This produces a slightly different flavour profile: brighter, with more clarity than immersion cold brew. It's a niche but rewarding method for enthusiasts who want to explore the full range of cold coffee techniques.

For best results with any cold brew system, use a coarse grind — similar to cafetière grind size. A quality filter grinder set to its coarsest setting will work well, or browse our hand grinders for a portable option.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does cold brew coffee take to make?

Most cold brew systems require a steeping time of 12 to 24 hours. The Toddy Home System recommends steeping in the refrigerator for 12–24 hours, or at room temperature for 12 hours. Longer steep times generally produce a stronger, more concentrated brew. Cold drip methods using the Bruer system take less total time but require active dripping over several hours. Once brewed and filtered, cold brew concentrate keeps well in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

What is the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?

Iced coffee is made by brewing hot coffee in the usual way and then chilling or pouring it over ice. Cold brew is never exposed to heat — it's made by steeping coffee in cold or room-temperature water for an extended period. Because heat is never used, cold brew extracts differently: it's lower in acidity, naturally sweeter, and has a fuller, smoother body. The two drinks taste quite different, even from the same beans. Cold brew is typically served as a concentrate diluted with water or milk, while iced coffee is usually served at full strength.

What coffee-to-water ratio should I use for cold brew?

A standard starting ratio for cold brew concentrate is 1:4 to 1:5 coffee to water by weight — for example, 100g of coffee to 400–500ml of water. This produces a concentrate that is typically diluted 1:1 with water or milk before serving. For a ready-to-drink cold brew (not a concentrate), a ratio of 1:8 is more common. The Toddy Home System includes instructions with recommended ratios. It's worth experimenting, as the ideal ratio depends on your beans, grind size and personal preference.

What grind size should I use for cold brew?

Cold brew requires a coarse grind — roughly the same consistency as you'd use for a cafetière or French press. A coarse grind slows extraction during the long steep and prevents over-extraction, which can make cold brew bitter or harsh. Fine or medium grinds are not recommended for cold brew immersion systems. If you're using a cold drip method like the Bruer, a slightly finer medium-coarse grind can work well. Any burr grinder with a wide grind range — such as the Baratza Encore — set to its coarser settings will give good results.

Can I make cold brew without a dedicated cold brew maker?

Yes — you can make cold brew in any jar or container by adding coarsely ground coffee and cold water, covering, and leaving to steep in the fridge for 12–24 hours, then straining through a fine mesh or filter. That said, a dedicated system like the Toddy Home makes the process considerably easier: the built-in filter system separates grounds cleanly without mess, and the sealed container keeps concentrate fresh in the fridge. For regular cold brew drinkers, a dedicated brewer quickly pays for itself in convenience.

What replacement filters do I need for my Toddy system?

Toddy replacement filters depend on which system you own. The Toddy Home Cold Brew System uses felt filter packs and optional paper filter bags — both available in this collection. The Toddy Commercial System uses commercial paper filters (available in 50-packs). The Toddy Pro Series has its own dedicated Pro Series filters. All Toddy replacement filters and accessories are stocked here, so you can keep your system running without interruption. If you're unsure which filter you need, get in touch and we'll point you in the right direction.