Cold Brew at Home: How to Use the Mizudashi Coffee Maker

Quick answer

To use the Mizudashi cold brew maker, add coarsely ground coffee to the mesh basket, insert it into the pot, and pour cold water over the grounds. Use about 1 part coffee to 8 parts water by volume, stir gently, and refrigerate for 8–12 hours. Remove the basket and serve over ice.

What you need before you start

Gather your Mizudashi cold brew maker, fresh coffee beans, a grinder, cold filtered water, and a long spoon for stirring. A kitchen scale helps you repeat your best batches, but the Mizudashi method is forgiving enough that you can start with measuring spoons and adjust to taste. The pot's fine mesh basket and removable filter make cleanup straightforward, so you can brew regularly without fuss.

Choosing your coffee and grind

The Mizudashi coffee maker works with any coffee you enjoy, but the grind size changes the final cup. Coarse grounds produce a lighter, more delicate cold brew; finer grounds create a brew with more body and strength. If you grind too fine, the mesh basket can clog and slow down the process, so aim for a consistency like raw sugar or sea salt. Medium-coarse is a safe starting point, then adjust based on whether you want more or less extraction.

Step-by-step brewing

Follow these steps for a reliable batch every time. The total active time is about five minutes, then the refrigerator does the rest.

• Step 1: Remove the mesh basket and set it on a plate or in the sink to catch drips. Measure 1 part coffee to 8 parts cold water by volume (for example, 1 cup coffee to 8 cups water).
• Step 2: Add the coffee to the mesh basket and place the basket into the pot. Pour cold filtered water over the grounds, filling to the top of the basket or the pot's maximum line.
• Step 3: Stir gently with a long spoon to ensure all grounds are saturated. This prevents dry pockets that lead to weak spots in the final brew.
• Step 4: Cover the pot and refrigerate for 8–12 hours. Taste at 8 hours; if you want a stronger brew, let it go up to 12 hours.
• Step 5: Remove the basket and discard the grounds. The removable filter makes cleaning easy—rinse the basket and pot with warm water.
• Step 6: Serve over ice or store the cold brew in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is using coffee that is ground too fine, which can clog the mesh basket and slow draining. Another is not stirring after adding water, leaving dry grounds that never fully extract. Finally, brewing too long can make the cold brew bitter, so start tasting at 8 hours and adjust from there. If your first batch tastes weak, try a slightly finer grind or a longer steep next time.

Your Mizudashi brewing steps at a glance

1. Measure coffee and water: Use 1 part coffee to 8 parts water by volume. For a stronger brew, use 1 part coffee to 6 parts water. Checkpoint: Write down your ratio so you can adjust next time.
2. Add coffee to the mesh basket: Place the basket in the pot and add the ground coffee. Shake gently to level the bed. Mistake to avoid: Don't pack the grounds; they need room for water to flow.
3. Pour cold water and stir: Pour cold filtered water over the grounds, filling to the top. Stir gently to saturate all coffee. Checkpoint: Make sure no dry clumps remain on top.
4. Refrigerate and steep: Cover and refrigerate for 8–12 hours. Start tasting at 8 hours to find your preferred strength. Mistake to avoid: Steeping longer than 12 hours can make the brew bitter.
5. Remove basket and serve: Lift out the basket and discard the grounds. Rinse the basket and pot. Serve over ice or store in the fridge. Next step: Store cold brew in a covered container for up to 5 days.

Product facts

• "Mizudashi" (Cold Brew) Coffee Maker: The Mizudashi Coffee Maker offers a simple method for making cold brewed coffee at home. Simply add ground coffee to the fine mesh basket, add water and leave in the refrigerator to brew. This pot also has a removable filter, making cleaning easy. Grind coffee coarse for a lighter more delicate coffee, or finer for a cold brew with more body and strength. This tells you that grind size directly controls the strength and body of your cold brew, and that cleanup is simple because the filter is removable.