what is cold drip coffee?

Cold drip coffee has been around for hundreds of years, however it’s been enjoying something of a revival in recent years.

Some cafes have added cold drip coffee to their menu to give their customers more choice and boost revenue, especially during the sweltering summer months.

Whether you're a café owner or a barista, this guide will help you get to grips with this unique brew.

Cold drip coffee is a distinct brewing method that results in a smooth, flavourful cup of concentrated elixir.

Unlike traditional brewing methods that use hot water, cold drip coffee is created by dripping cold water over a bed of ground coffee for several hours.

Instead of heat, this method relies on time to extract oils, flavours and other compounds from the coffee.

(Cold water and time are also key ingredients in the cold brew method — see 'Cold drip vs cold brew coffee' section below).

How is cold drip different?

The slower and gentler cold-water extraction process draws out less oils and acids from the coffee.

This results in a mellower taste — less bitter and acidic, sweeter and smoother — compared to espresso, filter and other hot brewing methods.

The slower extraction process also means cold drip coffee typically has a higher caffeine concentration than traditional hot brews.

Origins of cold drip coffee

The origins of cold drip coffee can be traced back centuries, with roots in Japan and the Netherlands.

In Japan, the Kyoto-style cold drip method was developed in the 1600s, where it was known as "Mizudashi".

The Dutch developed their own version called "Dutch coffee" in the 1700s.

Over time, cold drip coffee has gained popularity worldwide, and today it is enjoyed by coffee enthusiasts for its unique characteristics.

Cold drip coffee tower

At the heart of the cold drip coffee brewing process is a multi-tiered ‘drip tower’.

The tower essentially comprises three glass vessels stacked one above the other in a wooden frame.

The diagram adjacent shows you the various parts of a typical cold drip tower.

How the tower works

Water drips slowly and steadily from the water reservoir down into a container of ground coffee.

The grinds are covered by a paper filter that distributes the water across the entire bed of coffee to ensure even extraction.

When the grinds becomes saturated, coffee extract begins to drip — through another filter at the bottom of the ground-coffee container — into a collection jar below.

Gravity and time do most of the work!

This process allows for a slow and controlled extraction of the coffee’s flavours.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world.