How to Brew AeroPress Coffee

Clean, sweet, and full of character.

If you love clarity, sweetness, and a little experimentation, the AeroPress might just be your favorite brewer. It’s quick, portable, and endlessly customizable — a perfect travel companion and a serious competition tool. In 2015, Lukas Zahradnik of Slovakia won the World AeroPress Championship with this simple yet brilliant recipe. We love it for its silky body, crisp acidity, and smooth finish.

What You’ll Need

• AeroPress (standard model)

• AeroPress paper filter

• Stirrer or spoon

• Kettle

• Scale

• Timer

• Freshly roasted Half Mile Coffee beans

Recipe

• Coffee: 20 g (medium grind, like table salt)

• Water: 230 g total at 79 °C / 174 °F

• Ratio: 1 : 11.5

• Brew Time: 1 minute and 45 seconds

• Method: Inverted

Step-by-Step

1️⃣ Set Up

Assemble your AeroPress in the inverted position (plunger at the bottom, chamber on top).

Rinse the paper filter with hot water to remove any papery taste.

2️⃣ Add Coffee

Grind 20 g of coffee to a medium consistency. Add it to the inverted chamber.

3️⃣ Start the Pour

Start your timer and pour 100 g of water (79 °C / 174 °F) over the grounds. Stir 20 times to fully saturate.

4️⃣ Bloom & Top Up

After 30 seconds, add the remaining 130 g water for a total of 230 g. Stir twice, gently.

5️⃣ Cap & Steep

Attach the filter cap with the pre-wetted filter in place.

Let it steep until the timer hits 1 minute and 30 seconds.

6️⃣ Flip & Press

Carefully flip the AeroPress onto your mug and start pressing slowly.

Press for about 30 seconds, finishing around 1 minute and 45 seconds total.

7️⃣ Dilute & Taste

Add 30–50 g of hot water to your cup if you prefer a lighter body. Taste and adjust to your liking.

Pro Tips

• Use filtered water around 75–80 ppm TDS for best flavor clarity.

• Stirring evenly is key — avoid aggressive agitation.

• If your coffee tastes sharp or sour, try a slightly finer grind.

• If it’s too bitter or heavy, grind a little coarser or lower your brew temp by a degree or two.

FAQs

Why the inverted method?

It gives you full control over steep time without any early dripping.

Why such a low temperature?

Lower temperatures enhance sweetness and preserve delicate aromatics.

Can I skip the dilution?

Absolutely — taste it first. You might love its natural intensity straight from the press.