Brewing guide
How to Make Japanese-Style Iced Filter Coffee
Start with 20 g coffee, 200 g hot water and 100 g ice in the server. Brew hot onto the ice; total recipe water is 300 g, giving a 1:15 ratio.
Japanese-style iced coffee rapidly chills a hot brew as it lands on ice. Unlike cold brew, it needs no long cold steep. A common mistake is using all the water from a hot recipe and then adding extra ice. Counting ice as part of the total recipe water gives more consistent strength.
Starting recipe
| Coffee | 20 g |
|---|---|
| Hot water | 200 g |
| Recipe ice | 100 g |
| Total water | 300 g |
| Ratio | 1:15 |
| Starting temperature | 92–94°C |
Equipment
- V60 or similar dripper
- Matching paper filter
- Scale, kettle and server
- Ice made from drinking water
Step by step
1. Weigh the ice
Put 100 g ice in the server. Rinse the paper filter separately and discard that water rather than adding it to the recipe ice.
2. Prepare the coffee
Add 20 g medium-fine coffee to the dripper. You may later test slightly finer grinding than a hot recipe, but start with a measured baseline.
3. Brew hot
Bloom with about 50 g water for 30 seconds, then pour steadily to a total of 200 g hot water. Do not force the finish time to match a larger-water hot V60 recipe.
4. Mix and serve
Swirl the server gently to mix and chill. Add a little extra ice in the serving glass if needed, remembering that it causes additional dilution.
Choosing between this and cold brew
This method suits a drink prepared immediately. Cold brew offers another option for preparing a batch ahead. Compare them with the same coffee rather than assuming one is better for everyone.
Ice size and melting
All weighed recipe ice counts toward the water calculation, although it may not have melted by first serving. Small ice melts faster than larger cubes. Use the same cube size and serving timing when comparing.
Troubleshooting
| Watery drink | Reduce extra serving ice and weigh coffee, hot water and recipe ice separately. |
|---|---|
| Sour or unbalanced flavour | Test slightly finer grinding and check for dry pockets while pouring. |
| Not cold enough | Check the ice weight, swirl the server and try chilling the serving glass. |
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the ice proportion?
Yes, but record hot brewing water and total water separately. Adding more ice changes the recipe.
Do I need to refrigerate before serving?
Brewing onto ice usually provides chilling. Assess temperature on a small serving first.
Can I add milk?
Yes. Taste the coffee first, then add milk to the serving and reassess strength.
Choosing coffee
Compare Ethiopia and Kenya in this recipe to explore different profiles when served cold. Choose a pour-over grind.
Related guides
- How to Make Cold Brew at Home: Ratio and Filtering
- V60 Brewing Guide: Ratio, Grind and Pouring
- Coffee-to-Water Ratio: Calculator and Brewing Table
These measurements are starting suggestions; adjust for your equipment and taste. The image is an AI-generated illustration.