How to Make Cold Brew at Home with the Toddy Cold Brew System

Making smooth, rich cold brew at home is easier than you think — and the Toddy Cold Brew System is a go‑to for a reason. The system delivers a smooth, rich concentrate without the need for electricity. Perfect as a foundation for iced and blended frozen drinks, this system lets the coffee shine, creating an unparalleled at-home cold brew experience. Plus, as a bonus, you can use it to cold brew tea as well.

So, ready to get started? Here’s how to dial in the ratios, grind size, and storage so you’ll be sipping café‑quality cold brew right from your fridge without any hassle.

1. Get your ratio right

For the Toddy system, the recommended starting ratio is 12 oz (340 g) coarse‑ground coffee to 8 cups (64 fl oz / ~1.9 L) of filtered water for a standard home brewer.

Once the brew is done, you’ll have a concentrate that is best diluted before drinking. The suggested starting mix is 1 part concentrate to 2 parts water or milk.

You can play with the dilution to suit your taste — if you like it stronger, go 1:1; if you prefer lighter, maybe 1:3. Experimenting is half the fun. 

2. Use the right grind

A coarse grind (similar to what you’d use for a French press) works best with the Toddy system. This slower extraction gives you less bitterness and a smoother flavor. If your grind is too fine, you’ll risk over‑extraction or more sediment in your concentrate; if too coarse, extraction might be weak. Aim for consistency.

3. Brewing & steeping

Here’s a simple step‑by‑step: 

• Wash and assemble your Toddy brewer and any reusable filters.

• Insert the stopper at the base of the brewing container, pre‑wet the felt filter (if using), and place your paper filter bag + felt filter as instructed.

• Add your 340 g (12 oz) of coffee grounds into the bag, then pour the 8 cups of water over the grounds. Stir gently to ensure even saturation.

• Let it steep at room temperature for 8 to 24 hours (12 hours is a good sweet spot).

• After steeping, remove the stopper in the base and let the concentrate drain into the glass decanter. Discard the paper filter and grounds.

4. Storage & serving

Once you’ve got your cold brew concentrate, store it in the fridge. The concentrate will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks when refrigerated. 

When serving, you can:

• Pour the concentrate over ice and dilute with water or milk (try the 1:2 mix to start).

• Or make a hot drink: mix concentrate with hot water for a smooth, warm coffee.

5. Why use the Toddy system?

This system is designed to give you a smooth, low‑acid cold brew with minimal sediment — thanks to the dual filtration with felt + paper and a long steep time. It produces coffee that’s rounder and less bitter than many other methods.

If you love iced coffee or want to prep a week’s worth of cold brew at home, the Toddy makes it efficient and consistent.

6. Pro tips for Stone Creek Coffee lovers

• Use a freshly roasted coffee from Stone Creek to make the most of cold brew’s flavor clarity.

• Try making a batch Sunday and have it ready for the week — grab a glass before or after your day starts.

• If you find your concentrate too strong or too mild, adjust the dilution or shorten/lengthen the steep time (e.g., 10–12 hours for lighter, 16–24 hours for richer).

• Keep the felt filter damp in the fridge between uses–this helps longevity–and rinse thoroughly after use. 

We hope this helps you bring the Stone Creek Coffee experience home — smooth, flavorful, and ready when you are.