9 Different Ways to Brew Coffee Like a Pro in 2025

The world of speciality coffee is vast and full of flavour, but where do you start? From the ritual of a morning pour-over to the rich intensity of a cafetière, the way you brew your coffee has a profound impact on its final taste. In the UK's thriving coffee scene, moving beyond instant coffee is the first step towards a truly exceptional experience. This guide is your companion, exploring nine different ways to brew coffee, each with its own character and charm. We'll demystify the equipment, perfect the techniques, and provide actionable insights tailored for the British coffee lover.

Whether you're using beans from a local roaster or starting your own Ue Coffee Roasters subscription, this is your roadmap to unlocking the full potential in every bean. Beyond the type of coffee beans and the brewing method you choose, the quality of your water also significantly influences the final taste. For a deeper dive into the importance of water purity in beverage production, explore resources on topics like the crucial role of water quality in brewing. This comprehensive list will help you navigate the options and elevate your daily ritual into an art form.

1. Drip Coffee (Pour Over)

The pour over method is a true celebration of coffee, transforming a daily ritual into an art form. This manual technique involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds in a slow, controlled manner. As gravity draws the water through a filter, it extracts the delicate and nuanced flavours of the bean, resulting in a cup that is exceptionally clean, bright, and aromatic. It’s no wonder this is one of the most revered and different ways to brew coffee in speciality cafes from London to Edinburgh.

Pour over puts you in complete control, allowing you to highlight the unique character of single-origin beans. Unlike automated machines, every element, from water temperature to pour speed, is in your hands. This meticulous process rewards you with a cup that truly reflects the coffee’s terroir and processing.

Why Choose Pour Over?

This method is perfect for the coffee enthusiast who wants to connect more deeply with their brew. If you appreciate the subtle tasting notes in speciality coffee, like the floral sweetness of an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe or the fruity acidity of a Kenyan, the pour over will unlock those complex flavours with unparalleled clarity.

For a quick reference on mastering this technique, here’s a summary of the key variables.

These three elements are the foundation of a perfect pour over, offering a framework to experiment and refine your personal brewing style.

Tips for a Perfect Brew

• Start with the Bloom: Always begin by pouring just enough water (around twice the weight of your coffee grounds) to saturate them. Wait 30-45 seconds for the coffee to “bloom” and release trapped CO2 for a more even extraction.
• Maintain a Steady Hand: Pour in slow, concentric circles, avoiding the very centre and the outer edges of the filter. A gooseneck kettle is essential for this level of precision.
• Dial-In Your Ratio: A great starting point is a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio (e.g., 15g of coffee to 240g of water). Adjust this based on your taste preference for a stronger or milder cup.

2. French Press (Cafetière)

The French Press, or Cafetière, is an iconic symbol of relaxed, flavourful coffee. This classic immersion method involves steeping coarse coffee grounds directly in hot water, allowing the rich oils and soluble solids to fully infuse. After a few minutes, a fine mesh plunger is pressed down, separating the grounds and leaving a bold, full-bodied brew with a wonderfully robust and satisfying mouthfeel. It’s a beautifully simple process and one of the most beloved different ways to brew coffee, found in homes and cafés across the UK.

Unlike filtered methods that produce a cleaner cup, the French Press celebrates the coffee's inherent texture. The metal filter permits natural oils and fine sediment to pass into the final cup, creating a rich and aromatic experience. This direct contact brewing is perfect for bringing out the deep chocolatey and nutty notes often found in medium to dark roast coffees.

Why Choose a French Press?

This method is ideal for those who cherish a heavy-bodied, rich, and intense cup of coffee. If you enjoy a brew that feels substantial and comforting, the French Press delivers every time. It’s incredibly forgiving for beginners and a fantastic way to brew for more than one person, making it perfect for a weekend breakfast or an office coffee station. Its simplicity also makes it a favourite for camping and outdoor adventures across the British countryside.

Tips for a Perfect Brew

• Go Coarse and Consistent: Use a coarse grind, similar in texture to breadcrumbs. A fine grind will slip through the mesh filter, creating a muddy and over-extracted cup.
• Time it Right: A four-minute steep is the gold standard. Under-steeping will taste weak and sour, while over-steeping will result in bitterness. Use a timer for consistency.
• Press Gently and Serve: Press the plunger down slowly and steadily to avoid agitating the grounds. Decant all the coffee immediately after pressing to stop the extraction process and prevent bitterness.

3. Espresso

Espresso is the powerful, concentrated heart of the coffee world, a method that uses high pressure to create a uniquely intense and flavourful shot. By forcing nearly boiling water through a finely-ground and compacted puck of coffee, an espresso machine extracts a rich, syrupy liquid topped with a signature layer of reddish-brown crema. This method is the foundation of café culture, from traditional Italian espresso bars to the bustling speciality coffee scene in cities like Manchester and Bristol.

Unlike slower brewing methods, espresso is an expression of speed and intensity. The high-pressure extraction, typically at 9 bars, highlights the coffee’s boldest characteristics, creating a complex and powerful flavour profile in just 25-30 seconds. This makes it one of the most dynamic and different ways to brew coffee, demanding precision and skill from the barista.

Why Choose Espresso?

This method is for those who crave a potent and full-bodied coffee experience. If you enjoy the rich, velvety texture and deep flavours that form the base of popular drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites, then mastering espresso is your ultimate goal. It’s perfect for the enthusiast who appreciates the technical challenge and wants to replicate a true café-quality beverage at home.

For a quick reference on mastering this technique, here’s a summary of the key variables.

These three elements are the foundation of a perfect espresso shot, offering a framework to experiment and achieve that coveted "god shot."

Tips for a Perfect Brew

• Dial-In Your Dose and Yield: For a standard double shot, start with 18-20g of finely ground coffee. Aim for a liquid yield of around 36-40g in the cup. This 1:2 ratio is a classic starting point for a balanced extraction.
• Perfect Your Puck Prep: Distribute the grounds evenly in your portafilter and apply firm, consistent tamping pressure. This prevents "channelling," where water finds a path of least resistance, leading to an uneven and sour-tasting shot.
• Time Your Extraction: Aim for an extraction time of 25-30 seconds from the moment you start the pump. If it’s too fast, grind finer; if it’s too slow, grind coarser. Regular machine maintenance and calibration are also essential for consistency.

4. AeroPress

The AeroPress is a marvel of modern coffee engineering, offering incredible versatility and speed in a compact, portable package. This unique device combines immersion, aeration, and air pressure to brew a cup that is remarkably smooth, rich, and low in acidity. By forcing water through a fine paper filter with a plunger, it produces a concentrated, espresso-style shot that can be diluted or used as a base for other coffee drinks. Its speed and consistency make it a favourite among different ways to brew coffee, from home kitchens to the global stage of the World AeroPress Championships, which often sees strong UK representation.

This brewer’s genius lies in its simplicity and the control it gives you. You can manipulate grind size, water temperature, and steep time to craft a wide variety of flavour profiles, from a bold, intense brew to a delicate, tea-like cup. This adaptability has made it a beloved tool for experimentation in the UK speciality coffee scene.

Why Choose AeroPress?

This method is ideal for the adventurer, the innovator, and anyone who wants a consistently delicious cup of coffee without the fuss. Its durable, lightweight design makes it the perfect travel companion for camping or a reliable brewing solution for the office. If you love to experiment and want a device that can produce a clean, full-bodied brew in under two minutes, the AeroPress is your perfect match.

For a quick reference on mastering this technique, here’s a summary of the key variables.

• Grind Size: Medium-fine is a great starting point, similar to table salt.
• Steep Time: From 30 seconds to over 2 minutes, depending on the recipe.
• Water Temperature: Typically lower than pour over, around 80-95°C.

These three elements offer a playground for customisation, allowing you to discover your ideal recipe.

Tips for a Perfect Brew

• Experiment with the Inverted Method: Flipping the AeroPress upside down prevents any coffee from dripping through before you plunge. This allows for a full immersion steep, giving you more control over brew time for a richer extraction.
• Use Two Paper Filters: For an exceptionally clean cup with absolutely no sediment, try layering two paper filters in the cap. This enhances clarity and produces an even smoother body.
• Stir Gently After Pouring: After adding your water, give the grounds a gentle stir for about 10 seconds. This ensures all the coffee is saturated, leading to a more balanced and even extraction.

5. Cold Brew

Cold brew represents the patient art of coffee making, a method that swaps heat for time to create something truly special. This gentle, slow-steep process involves immersing coarse coffee grounds in cold or room-temperature water for 12 to 24 hours. The resulting brew is a smooth, rich concentrate with remarkably low acidity and a natural sweetness, making it a refreshing and distinct choice among the different ways to brew coffee, especially popular during the fleeting British summer.

This hands-off technique shines by producing a consistent, large batch of coffee concentrate that can be stored and enjoyed for up to two weeks. It’s perfect for those busy mornings or for serving guests, offering a velvety texture and deep, chocolatey flavour profile that is less bitter than its hot-brewed counterparts. From office batch brews to the nitro-infused offerings in trendy UK cafes, cold brew’s appeal is undeniable.

Why Choose Cold Brew?

This method is ideal for the coffee drinker who values smoothness and convenience above all. If you find hot-brewed coffee too acidic or bitter, cold brew’s mellow and syrupy character will be a welcome change. It’s also incredibly versatile, serving as a fantastic base for iced lattes, coffee cocktails, or simply diluted with water or milk for a refreshing cup.

Tips for a Perfect Brew

• Master the Concentrate: Start with a coffee-to-water ratio between 1:4 and 1:8 for your concentrate (e.g., 100g of coarse coffee to 800g of water). A higher coffee ratio creates a stronger concentrate.
• Strain for Clarity: After steeping, it’s crucial to filter the grounds thoroughly. Use a fine-mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or a dedicated cold brew system to avoid a gritty texture.
• Dilute to Taste: Your final brew is a concentrate, so don't drink it straight! Start by diluting it with a 1:1 ratio of concentrate to water or milk, and adjust from there to find your perfect strength.

6. Moka Pot (Stovetop Espresso)

The Moka Pot is an iconic symbol of Italian coffee culture, bringing a touch of continental elegance to kitchen hobs across the UK. This classic stovetop brewer uses steam pressure to push hot water up through a basket of coffee grounds, producing a rich, concentrated, and intensely aromatic brew. The result is a bold, full-bodied coffee that sits somewhere between a strong filter coffee and a true espresso, delivering a powerful and satisfying experience.

This classic brewer has become a beloved household staple for its simplicity and the unique character it imparts. It forgoes the need for complex machinery, offering a straightforward, analogue way to achieve a strong brew. This method is one of the most cherished and different ways to brew coffee, perfect for a European-style morning routine or even for brewing on a camping stove outdoors.

Why Choose a Moka Pot?

This method is ideal for those who crave a strong, espresso-like coffee without investing in an expensive machine. If you enjoy a robust flavour profile with a thick, syrupy body, the Moka Pot will deliver that classic, powerful Italian coffee experience. It’s particularly well-suited for darker roasted beans, highlighting their deep, chocolatey, and nutty notes.

The Moka Pot is a tribute to tradition, offering a simple and effective way to create a deeply satisfying cup.

Tips for a Perfect Brew

• Use the Right Grind: A medium-fine grind is crucial. If it's too coarse, the water will pass through too quickly, resulting in a weak brew. If it's too fine, it can clog the filter and create too much pressure.
• Don’t Over-Pack: Fill the coffee basket generously but avoid tamping the grounds down. The coffee needs space to expand, and packing it too tightly will impede the water flow, leading to a bitter taste.
• Control the Heat: Start with pre-heated, filtered water in the base chamber for a faster, more even extraction. Once the coffee starts to gurgle and flow, remove the pot from the heat to prevent it from burning and tasting metallic.

7. Chemex

The Chemex is more than just a coffee brewer; it's an icon of design and a testament to the beauty of simplicity. This elegant, hourglass-shaped glass vessel, often found in design museums, uses a unique, thick paper filter to produce an exceptionally clean and bright cup of coffee. The brewing process is a visually stunning pour over, making it one of the most aesthetically pleasing and different ways to brew coffee.

Its genius lies in its non-porous glass construction and proprietary bonded filters, which are thicker than standard filters. This combination removes virtually all sediment and undesirable oils, allowing the pure, nuanced flavours of the coffee bean to shine through. The result is a smooth, vibrant, and sediment-free brew that highlights the coffee's inherent sweetness and acidity with remarkable clarity.

Why Choose Chemex?

The Chemex is the perfect brewer for those who appreciate both form and function. It’s ideal for brewing larger batches to share with friends and family, turning a simple coffee morning into a sophisticated experience. If you enjoy a clean, bright cup that reveals the delicate floral and fruit notes in a light-roast single-origin coffee, the Chemex will deliver with unparalleled elegance.

Tips for a Perfect Brew

• Rinse Thoroughly: The thick Chemex filters can impart a papery taste if not properly rinsed. Use plenty of hot water to rinse the filter before brewing, which also preheats the brewer.
• Go Medium-Coarse: A grind size similar to coarse sea salt works best. This prevents the filter from clogging and ensures a balanced, even extraction for a flavourful cup.
• Pour with Patience: Like other pour over methods, use a slow, circular pouring motion with a gooseneck kettle. Maintain a consistent water level, not letting it rise too high or drop too low, for optimal extraction.

8. Turkish Coffee (Cezve/Ibrik)

Turkish coffee is more than just a drink; it's a centuries-old tradition steeped in culture and ceremony. This unfiltered brewing method, recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, involves gently simmering finely powdered coffee with water (and often sugar) in a special pot called a cezve or ibrik. The result is a uniquely strong, rich, and aromatic coffee served with the grounds still in the small cup, allowing them to settle before sipping.

This historic technique is one of the most immersive and different ways to brew coffee, connecting you directly to the origins of coffee culture. Unlike methods that prioritise clarity, Turkish coffee celebrates body and texture. The process is slow and deliberate, a ritual of patience that rewards you with a potent, velvety brew that tells a story of hospitality and tradition, found in dedicated cafes in London and other diverse UK cities.

Why Choose Turkish Coffee?

This method is for the adventurer, the coffee lover who seeks a deep, historical connection and a truly unique sensory experience. If you enjoy a thick, full-bodied coffee and appreciate the cultural significance behind your cup, brewing in a cezve offers an unparalleled journey. It’s perfect for slow mornings or for sharing with friends as a gesture of hospitality.

For those ready to embrace this ancient art, here’s a quick reference to guide your first brew.

These three elements form the basis of authentic Turkish coffee, providing a starting point for exploring this rich tradition.

Tips for a Perfect Brew

• Start Cold and Go Slow: Always use cold, filtered water. Add your coffee powder and sugar (if using) to the water before placing it on the heat. Stir until just combined, then heat it slowly over a low flame.
• Watch the Foam: The foam, or kaymak, is the most prized part of the brew. As the coffee heats, a dark foam will build. Carefully remove the cezve from the heat just before it boils over to preserve this creamy layer.
• Let it Settle: After pouring into your cup, wait a minute or two for the fine grounds to settle at the bottom. The coffee is meant to be sipped slowly, leaving the "mud" behind.

9. Siphon (Vacuum Pot)

The siphon, or vacuum pot, is where coffee brewing meets performance art. This visually stunning method uses vapour pressure and a vacuum to produce a remarkably clean, crisp, and tea-like cup of coffee. The process involves two glass chambers, where heated water ascends from the bottom chamber to the top to saturate the coffee grounds, before a vacuum draws the brewed coffee back down through a filter. This theatrical display is more than just for show; it's a precisely controlled brewing environment.

This method has become a centrepiece in high-end speciality coffee bars across the UK, from London to Manchester, often reserved for the most prized single-origin beans. It’s a testament to the brewer’s craft and one of the most mesmerising different ways to brew coffee.

Why Choose Siphon?

The siphon is for the coffee purist who is also a bit of a showman. It offers an incredibly clean cup that rivals the clarity of a pour over but with a fuller body. If you love the ceremony of brewing and want to unlock delicate aromatic compounds without any sediment, the siphon delivers an unparalleled experience that captivates both the palate and the eyes.

This method excels with light-roast, complex coffees, bringing their subtle floral and fruity notes to the forefront with exceptional definition. The full immersion and consistent temperature control ensure a balanced and thorough extraction every time.

Tips for a Perfect Brew

• Grind with Precision: Use a consistent, medium grind similar to what you’d use for a drip coffee machine. Too fine and it will clog the filter; too coarse and it will be under-extracted.
• Maintain Stable Heat: A consistent heat source is crucial. Once the water ascends to the top chamber, lower the heat just enough to keep it there without boiling aggressively.
• Stir Gently: When the water has risen, give the grounds a gentle stir for about 10 seconds to ensure they are all fully saturated. Avoid vigorous agitation which can over-extract.
• Time Your Drawdown: After about 60-90 seconds of brewing, remove the heat source completely. The cooling in the lower chamber will create a vacuum, pulling the brewed coffee back down through the filter.

9 Methods of Coffee Brewing Compared

Coffee Method	Implementation Complexity	Resource Requirements	Expected Outcomes	Ideal Use Cases	Key Advantages
Drip Coffee (Pour Over)	Intermediate	Moderate: gooseneck kettle, filters	Clean, bright flavor, highlights nuances	Specialty shops, home brewing enthusiasts	Full brewing control, inexpensive
French Press (Cafetière)	Beginner	Low: metal plunger, coarse grounds	Rich, full-bodied, with some sediment	Camping, offices, home breakfast	Simple technique, no paper filter
Espresso	Advanced	High: espresso machine, fine grind	Intense, concentrated shots with crema	Coffee bars, commercial cafés, home pros	Quick brewing, base for many drinks
AeroPress	Beginner-Intermediate	Low: AeroPress device, paper filters	Clean, smooth, low acidity	Travel, competitions, office brewing	Fast, portable, forgiving method
Cold Brew	Beginner	Low: coarse grounds, long steep time	Smooth, low-acid, less bitter, cold-serve	Summer beverages, batch brewing	Long shelf life, refreshing
Moka Pot (Stovetop)	Intermediate	Low: stovetop pot, medium-fine grind	Strong, concentrated coffee, less crema	Home use, camping, traditional European	No electricity, durable, affordable
Chemex	Intermediate	Moderate: glass vessel, proprietary filters	Exceptionally clean, bright, light-bodied	Design-conscious brewers, specialty cafes	Clean cup, aesthetic design
Turkish Coffee	Advanced	Low: cezve pot, ultra-fine grounds	Thick, intense, unfiltered with grounds	Traditional ceremonies, cultural settings	Rich heritage, unique flavor
Siphon (Vacuum Pot)	Advanced	High: glass apparatus, heat source	Clean, tea-like, visually impressive brewing	Specialty bars, demonstrations	Consistent temp, showmanship

Find Your Signature Brew and Elevate Your Coffee Experience

We've journeyed through a fascinating landscape of coffee creation, exploring nine distinct ways to brew coffee, each a world of flavour and ritual in its own right. From the refined, clean notes coaxed from a Chemex to the rich, immersive body of a classic Cafetière, our exploration has revealed a fundamental truth: there is no single "best" method. The perfect brew is a deeply personal affair, a delightful intersection of your taste preferences, the time you have, and the daily ceremony you wish to create.

The most important takeaway is that exceptional coffee is not an exclusive club; it's an accessible craft. You don't need a counter full of expensive, complex machinery to unlock incredible flavour. What you need is curiosity, a willingness to experiment, and of course, phenomenal beans. The real magic happens when you start to connect the dots: understanding how a coarse grind in a French Press allows for a full-bodied immersion, while a finer grind in an AeroPress creates a clean yet intense cup under pressure. These are the variables that turn a routine into a rewarding ritual.

Your Next Steps on the Coffee Journey

Mastering these different ways to brew coffee is about more than just caffeine; it's about taking control of a small, beautiful part of your day. It’s about the satisfaction of dialling in the perfect pour-over, the aroma that fills your kitchen from a bubbling Moka Pot, or the patient anticipation of a smooth cold brew concentrate. This knowledge empowers you to be your own barista, transforming your home or office into a speciality café tailored precisely to your palate.

So, where do you begin?

• Start Small and Experiment: Choose one new method from our list that intrigues you. Perhaps the fast, versatile AeroPress for busy mornings, or the elegant Siphon for a weekend project. Don't be afraid to play with the variables.
• Tweak Your Grind: As we've seen, grind size is paramount. Adjusting it slightly finer or coarser for your chosen brewer can dramatically alter the taste, helping you eliminate bitterness or unlock sweetness.
• Match the Bean to the Brewer: Try brewing a bright, acidic Ethiopian single-origin bean as both a pour-over and a cold brew. Notice how the pour-over highlights its floral, tea-like qualities, while the cold brew brings out its syrupy, chocolatey base. This is where the true artistry begins.

Ultimately, this guide is your launchpad. The world of speciality coffee is vast and endlessly rewarding. By embracing these different brewing methods, you are not just making a drink; you are engaging in a global story of agriculture, craftsmanship, and sensory pleasure. Your perfect cup is out there, waiting not just to be bought, but to be brewed and discovered by you.

---

Ready to put your new knowledge into practice? At Ue Coffee Roasters, we ethically source and expertly roast the finest speciality beans that are perfect for exploring these different ways to brew coffee. Visit Ue Coffee Roasters to discover your next favourite coffee, explore our range of premium brewing equipment, or even book a masterclass at our Cotswolds roastery to perfect your technique with the experts.