How to Make French Press Coffee: Easy 5-Step Recipe

Brewing French press coffee is a simple process. You don’t need filters or electricity. Just a source of hot water, coffee grounds, and a French press. Here’s how to make great French press coffee.

This guide is part of our How to Make Coffee series.

How to Make French Press Coffee

Here’s how to make a great cup of French press coffee.

• Time to first sip: Approximately 10 minutes
• Type of Coffee: Unique, delicate, aromatic, full of flavor
• Coffee grind: Coarse
• Gear required: French press, timer
• Difficulty: Easy to use but requires attention and customizing

Here are a couple of tips for great-tasting coffee from your French press.

• French Press Tip: Avoid the last drop in the beaker and your mug because it will often have thick sediment in it.
• French Press Tip: Don’t allow your coffee to sit too long in the carafe on the grounds because this will create a bitter taste.

Of all the methods out there about how to make coffee, the French press is probably the most iconic of them all.

It has a French name but was patented in Italy nearly 100 years ago, yet it still remains the method of choice for many coffee lovers today.

French Press Process

The French press is a basic process that only involves hot water, a glass beaker, and a plunger.

Because you don’t usually use an additional filter with the French press, you get the full flavor effect from the coffee beans.

The French press is not as effortless and fast as a drip coffee maker, but you can customize your brew to suit your taste. This is ideal for those whose aim is to savor the perfect cup of coffee.

French Press Coffee Recipe

1. Heat your water
2. Add your coarsely ground coffee
3. Add the hot water, stir and let it brew
4. Press the plunger
5. Immediately pour

1. Heat your water

Heat your water on the stovetop or in an electric kettle to almost boiling 195°F (91°C ) to 205 °F (96 °C).

If you don’t want to measure the water temperature, you can also bring the water to a boil and then let it sit for about 30 seconds.

Option: Some like to preheat the French press by filling it with hot water for a few minutes and then discard the water before adding their ground coffee.

2. Add your coarsely ground coffee

Add your coarsely ground coffee to the French press (1 to 2 tbsp per cup).

3. Add the hot water

Add the hot water, stir and let it brew for about 3 to 5 minutes (according to your preference).

The length of time will depend on your personal preference and the type of bean, roast, and grind that you chose.

4. Press the plunger

Press the plunger down to the bottom of the French press.

5. Immediately pour

Immediately pour the coffee into a mug and enjoy.

How to Make Coffee with a French Press (Video)

The following video shows how to make coffee in a French press.

The French press is also known as melior, coffee machine piston, plunger coffee, and press pot. 

Your Turn

How do you like your French press coffee? Have a question? Or maybe a tip for making great French press coffee? Join me below!