In the summer of 2023, Maison Soleil expands its world with the launch of its ready-to-drink Cold Brew range. Three recipes — an original, an Ethiopian single origin and an oat latte version — are joining our shelves and our specialist stockists. But before enjoying them in a can, why not try making your own cold brew at home? It is one of the simplest and most forgiving methods in specialty coffee.
What is cold brew?
Unlike iced coffee, which is hot coffee cooled down, cold brew is steeped cold for long hours. Cold water extracts the aromas slowly, without drawing out the bitter and acidic compounds. The result is a naturally sweet, round drink with very subdued acidity. Ideal for summer afternoons or for those who find classic coffee too aggressive.
The equipment you need
You need very little: a container with a lid, a fine filter, fresh water and coarsely ground coffee. Our house cold-brew carafe, with its built-in one-litre stainless steel filter, was designed for this recipe. It makes filtering easy and slips straight into the fridge.
Our house recipe
Ingredients : 80 g of coarsely ground coffee for 1 L of fresh water.
Steps :
1. Pour the ground coffee into the carafe’s filter.
2. Add the cold water slowly, making sure all the coffee is wet.
3. Close the container and place it in the fridge.
4. Steep for 12 to 16 hours. Twelve hours gives a light, fruity drink; sixteen, a bolder cold brew.
5. Remove the filter and pour the cold brew into a clean carafe.
Cold brew keeps easily for three to five days in the fridge, tightly closed.
Which coffees to choose?
For an indulgent, accessible profile, use our Mélange Matinal or the Brazil — Cerrado Mineiro. Their chocolate and hazelnut notes translate beautifully cold. For a more delicate, fruity version, try theEthiopia — Yirgacheffe, as in our bottled Cold Brew Ethiopia. Finally, if you want a bolder drink, theÉquinoxe Blend brings fine structure.
How to enjoy it?
Neat over ice is our favourite way. You can also cut it with sparkling water for a refreshing coffee tonic, or add a splash of plant-based milk for a homemade iced latte. Do not add sugar at first: cold brew is often naturally sweet enough.
Homemade cold brew or Maison Soleil cold brew?
Making your own cold brew is fun and economical. But when time is short, our RTD range lets you take the same spirit away in a can or a bottle. The original, with no added sugar, faithfully reflects the sweetness of this method. This summer, we invite you to try both: make your own one weekend, and slip a can into your bag the following week.
A lovely summer to all.