How to Make a 12-Hour Cold Brew Like Stumptown

If you’ve ever wondered how coffee shops make that smooth, low-acid cold coffee that tastes great even without milk, you’re not alone. The secret often lies in a long, slow brew—like the 12-hour cold method used by Stumptown Coffee Roasters in Portland, Oregon. It’s a technique that produces a clean, sweet cup ideal for summer sipping.

The key number here is 12 hours. That’s how long Stumptown lets its cold brew steep to achieve a smooth, balanced cup. This extended brew time reduces acidity and enhances sweetness, creating a refreshing summer coffee.

What Is Toddy Cold Brew?

Toddy cold brew refers to a method of making cold coffee using a Toddy brewer—or a similar setup—that steeps coarse-ground coffee in cold water for many hours. Though originally developed by the Toddy company, today the term is widely used to describe any immersion-style cold brew made with a similar process. Stumptown is known for popularizing this approach in the specialty coffee scene.

Why 12 Hours? The Science Behind the Steep

Cold brew relies on time, not heat, to extract coffee flavor. Unlike hot brewing, which pulls out acids and bitter compounds quickly, cold water extracts more slowly and selectively. Over 12 hours, the coffee grounds release sweetness, body, and mild acidity without the harsh notes. The result is a smoother, less acidic cup that many find easier to drink black.

How to Brew a 12-Hour Cold Brew at Home

Making your own version of Stumptown’s Toddy-style cold brew is simple. Here’s how:

• Use 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee (similar to what you’d use for French press).
• Add it to a cold brew container or large jar with 4 cups of cold, filtered water.
• Stir to ensure all the grounds are saturated.
• Cover and let it steep at room temperature or in the fridge for 12 hours.
• After steeping, filter the coffee through a cloth or a dedicated cold brew filter to remove grounds.
• Dilute with water or milk as desired—the concentrate is strong.

The grind should be coarse—think French press or slightly finer. Too fine, and you’ll over-extract or clog your filter. Water temperature isn’t critical, since it’s always cold, but filtered water helps avoid off-flavors.

Where Stumptown Fits In

Stumptown Coffee Roasters, based in Portland, Oregon, helped bring cold brew into the specialty spotlight. Their Toddy-style cold brew became a go-to for coffee lovers wanting a smooth, refreshing option. The 12-hour method is part of what gives their cold coffee its signature balance and clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stumptown Coffee Roasters known for?

Stumptown Coffee Roasters, based in Portland, Oregon, is known for popularizing specialty coffee practices in the U.S., including high-quality cold brew made via extended steeping. Their 12-hour Toddy-style cold brew is a prime example of their focus on smooth, low-acid coffee.

How long should you cold brew coffee to get smooth results?

For smooth, low-acid cold brew similar to Stumptown’s style, a 12-hour steep time is ideal. This duration allows for full flavor extraction without excessive bitterness or acidity.

Can I use any coffee for 12-hour cold brew?

Yes, but medium to dark roasted, freshly ground coffee works best. Coarse grinding is essential to avoid over-extraction and filter clogs during the long steep.

Do I need a Toddy brewer to make cold brew?

No. You can make Toddy-style cold brew using a large jar, a pitcher, or any container with a filter—such as a cloth or paper cold brew filter—to separate the grounds after steeping.

Why is my cold brew too acidic?

Acidity in cold brew often comes from too short a steep time, overly fine grind, or light roasted beans. For a smoother cup, use a coarse grind, steep for 12 hours, and consider a medium or darker roast.

Should I dilute my cold brew concentrate?

Yes. Cold brew is usually brewed as a concentrate. Dilute it with equal parts water or milk, or to taste, depending on your preferred strength.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for 12-Hour Cold Brew

For a 12-hour cold brew like Stumptown’s, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for bright yet smooth citrus and floral notes, or their Colombia Huila for balanced caramel and nutty tones. Both roast levels highlight the clean extraction cold brew is known for. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.