Brewing specialty coffee with a V60 is one of the best ways to enjoy a clean, aromatic, and well-balanced cup at home. This step-by-step guide is designed for coffee lovers who want to learn how to brew pour over coffee using simple techniques and consistent methods.
This V60 recipe is part of our Brewing Guides series, created to help you prepare specialty coffee with confidence, one method at a time.
Why Choose the V60 Pour Over Method?
This method highlights the natural sweetness and clarity of specialty Colombian coffee, making it simple and ideal for both coffee lovers beginners and home baristas who want to enjoy a truly great coffee experience at home.
What You’ll Need to Brew V60 Coffee at Home (2 cups recipe)
Brewing Equipment
V60 dripper
Paper filter
Gooseneck kettle
Mug or carafe
Scale or tablespoon
Coffee & Water Basics
Grind size: Medium (similar to table salt)
Coffee-to-water ratio: 1:16
(28 g coffee to 450 ml water)
Water temperature: 92–94°C
No Scale or Thermometer? No Problem!
1 tablespoon ≈ 6 g of coffee
Use 4.5 tablespoons for two cups
After boiling, wait 40 seconds before pouring
How to Brew Coffee with the V60 in 7 Easy Steps
Step 1 – Rinse the Filter
Place the filter in the V60 and rinse with hot water to remove paper taste. Discard the water.
Step 2 – Add the Coffee
Add freshly ground coffee to the filter and level the bed gently.
Step 3 – Bloom the Coffee
Pour 50–60 ml of water (about twice the coffee weight) and let it bloom for 30 seconds.
Step 4 – Begin the Main Pour
Slowly pour the remaining water in a steady spiral motion, starting from the centre. Pause pouring when the water reaches about three-quarters of the filter.
Step 5 – Pause and resume
Once the level of water goes down, add water again.
Step 6 – Repeat steps 5 and 6 and Finish at the Right Time
Repeat the pouring process until the target water amount is reached, aiming for a total brew time of 2:30 to 3:00 minutes.
Step 7 – Serve and Enjoy
Remove the dripper and enjoy a clean, aromatic cup of specialty coffee.
And just like that, a delicious cup is ready.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brewing V60 Coffee (FAQ)
What grind size is best for V60 pour over coffee?
A medium grind, similar to table salt, works best for the V60 method. It allows for balanced extraction, helping highlight clarity and sweetness without over- or under-extracting the coffee.
What is the recommended coffee-to-water ratio for V60?
The recommended ratio is 1:16, meaning 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water.
For example, for one cup, using 14 g of coffee with 250 ml of water produces a clean, balanced, and well-extracted cup.
If you prefer a more intense flavour, you can increase the dose to 15 g of coffee for every 250 ml of water, resulting in a richer and fuller-bodied cup.
How long should a V60 brew take?
A proper V60 brew should finish between 2:30 and 3:00 minutes. This range helps achieve optimal extraction and a well-balanced flavour profile.
Do I need a scale and thermometer to brew V60 coffee?
No. While a scale and thermometer improve precision, this guide includes simple alternatives. You can use tablespoons to measure coffee and wait about 40 seconds after boiling to reach the ideal water temperature.
Why is the blooming step important in pour over coffee?
Blooming allows trapped gases in freshly ground coffee to escape. This step improves extraction and helps create a more even, flavourful cup. For V60, bloom with about twice the coffee weight for 30 seconds.
Why does my coffee taste bitter or weak, and how can I fix it?
Bitterness or weak (salty) flavours are usually caused by incorrect extraction, often related to grind size.
- If your coffee tastes bitter (over-extracted):
Your grind may be too fine, causing the water to extract too much from the coffee.
Solution: Use a coarser grind size to reduce extraction and balance the flavour. - If your coffee tastes weak or salty (under-extracted):
Your grind may be too coarse, preventing proper extraction.
Solution: Use a finer grind size to improve extraction and enhance sweetness and body.
Adjusting grind size is one of the most effective ways to improve flavour clarity and balance when brewing specialty coffee.
What type of coffee works best for the V60 method?
The V60 method works best with specialty coffee, especially high-quality Colombian coffee, as it highlights origin flavours, aroma, and clarity better than darker, commercial roasts.
Remember
Great Coffee isn't magic...
It just starts with the right beans.
See you next brew ☕