As coffee enthusiasts, our daily coffee routines are sometimes created around small batch techniques, like pour-overs, or single cups, like espresso. But, if you’re having company this holiday season, you know that scaling up to serve a crowd using those techniques can be challenging. But, don’t worry, we’ve put together a few tips to help you brew big, tasty batches of coffee to keep everyone at your holiday gatherings happily caffeinated.
USE A GOOD AUTO DRIP BREWER
When brewing for a crowd, convenience and consistency are key, and that's where a quality auto drip brewer shines. Choosing the right auto brewer can feel overwhelming with so many options promising the perfect cup. The key is balancing simplicity, quality, and capacity to find one that fits both your needs and your brewing style. Our top pick? The Ratio Six Brewer. Designed to mimic the precision of pour-over brewing, this brewer delivers rich, balanced flavors at the touch of a button–perfect for showcasing the unique profiles of specialty coffee. Its efficient design and large capacity make it an ideal choice for gatherings, ensuring every cup is as satisfying as the first.
USE THE RIGHT COFFEE TO WATER RATIO
Using the correct coffee-to-water ratio is essential for brewing a flavorful and balanced cup of coffee. For drip coffee, a ratio of 1:14-1:18 is commonly recommended, meaning 1 gram of coffee to 14-18 grams of water. These ratios allow the unique characteristics of each bean to shine, ensuring they are neither under or over extracted.
BUY BEANS IN BULK
Our line of blends were created specifically for brewing for a crowd. Sold in both 12oz and a 2lb bags, the bulk bag is a cost-effective choice when brewing a number of batches. Each 2 lb bag will make approximately 40-50 cups, depending on your brew method and taste preference. Plus, our blend profiles tend to appeal to a broader range of coffee drinkers, from our medium roasted, Fabricator House Blend to our darker roasted, Blossom Blend, you are sure to find something that will fit most palettes.
Consider Cup Size
Don’t forget to consider mug sizes. While a standard coffee mug, like our Joe Bean Ceramic Diner Mug holds 10-12 ounces, most auto drip brewer recipes are based on a 5-6 ounce cup. So, if your auto drip brewer says it serves 8, that might actually mean 40 ounces of coffee, which would be 8 (5 ounce cups) but only 4 (10 ounce cups). Using smaller cups is one way to ensure you can serve all your guests quicker.
And lastly, try Cold Brew Coffee. Most of us think of cold coffee as a summer time only drink but Joe Bean’s Cold Brew coffee makes a great base for festive coffee cocktails. Combine it with either alcoholic or non-alcoholic mixers to make easy, batch beverages.