How do you, cold brew?

By Nick | Bugle Call Roaster

There are a lot of ways to make cold brew. None of them are wrong — they just make different kinds of great coffee. Here's our take.

☕ Method 1: Classic Immersion

The "can't mess it up" method.

Coffee and cold water go into the same container. Then... you wait. Usually 12–24 hours. Strain the grounds with a fine mesh filter, pour over ice, and enjoy.

This is the method that made cold brew famous. Simple, forgiving, and consistently producing a rich, smooth cup with low acidity and plenty of body.

Pros

• Rich, smooth flavor
• Super forgiving
• Easy for beginners
• Great for large batches
• Minimal equipment needed

Cons

• Requires overnight steeping
• Filtering can get a little messy
• Fine grounds can make the brew cloudy

Bugle Call Verdict: If cold brew had a standard-issue method, this would be it. Reliable, dependable, and always ready for duty.

💧 Method 2: Slow Drip (Kyoto Style)

Part coffee maker, part conversation piece.

Instead of soaking grounds overnight, Kyoto-style cold brew lets cold water drip through the coffee one drop at a time. Really — one drop at a time. The whole process takes anywhere from 3–8 hours depending on the setup and drip rate.

Because the water moves constantly through fresh grounds instead of sitting still, the resulting coffee is incredibly clean, delicate, and layered. You'll often notice brighter fruit notes, floral aromas, and more of the coffee's natural character than you'd get with traditional immersion.

Pros

• Exceptionally clean, crisp cup
• Highlights subtle flavors and aromas
• Beautiful to watch while it brews
• A true coffee experience

Cons

• Requires specialized equipment
• Takes patience and a little tweaking
• Smaller batches
• Less forgiving if your grind or drip rate is off

Bugle Call Verdict: Brewing Kyoto-style feels a little like watching a slow sunrise — you don't rush it, and that's kind of the point. It's perfect for coffee lovers who enjoy the process as much as the final cup. For everyone else, immersion gets you 90% of the way there with a lot less effort.

⚡ Method 3: Fellow Aiden Cold Brew

When you want cold brew without waiting until tomorrow. Get the full recipe and brew guide from Althea!

The Fellow Aiden uses a dedicated Cold Brew profile that extracts coffee differently than a traditional overnight steep. Instead of 12–24 hours in cold water, it produces ready to drink cold brew in 90 minutes. With total control over the profile, ratio, and extraction you can also choose a ready to drink or concentrate recipe ready to chill, pour over ice, or dilute to your preferred strength.

It's a clever approach that delivers a smooth, balanced cup in a fraction of the time, making it perfect for busy mornings or those last-minute "I forgot to make cold brew" moments.

Pros

• Ready in around 2 hours
• Consistent, repeatable results
• Clean, balanced flavor
• No overnight planning required
• Simple, push-button brewing

Cons

• Slightly different flavor than a traditional long-steep cold brew
• Requires a Fellow Aiden brewer
• Smaller batches than a dedicated immersion setup

Bugle Call Verdict: It's the modern shortcut done right. You trade a little of the deep, mellow sweetness that develops during a 16-hour steep for speed and convenience — and honestly, that's a pretty good deal when you want great coffee today instead of tomorrow. PLUS you can now order your own Aiden brewer and more awesome products from Fellow directly from us!

The Bottom Line

Every cold brew method has its strengths.

Classic immersion is our go-to for rich, smooth, dependable cold brew with minimal effort.

Kyoto-style slow drip is for the coffee enthusiast who enjoys the ritual as much as the result, producing an incredibly clean and expressive cup.

The Fellow Aiden's Cold Brew setting is the perfect middle ground — fast, consistent, and surprisingly impressive when time isn't on your side.

At Bugle Call Coffee, we believe the best brewing method is the one that fits your day. Whether you've got 16 hours to plan ahead or just a couple of hours before friends stop by, great coffee is always worth making. Ready to start brewing? Grab a bag of Morning Formation to enjoy our tried and true favorite for any cold brew method. Looking for something more adventurous? Try a light, bright single origin!