How to brew coffee for a party

It's holiday season again, and that means gatherings. Friends, family, colleagues - groups gather for meals and parties, and then the need for coffee arises quite quickly.

If you are hosting in your own home and want to give your guests a good coffee experience, it can be a challenge - you switch from your usual simple recipe to brewing for many people at once! An automatic coffee machine is good to have, and manual brewing is a great way to give your guests a more personal coffee experience. In both cases, it's useful to keep in mind some tips and tricks to get the most out of your coffee and coffee grinder when caffeinating guests with high quality and style this holiday season.

Pour Over Prowess

Say you don't have a whole collection of different brewers and scales, but you do have a classic, a Chemex. A small modification of the standard recipe is all you need to get large volume out of this classic coffee brewer.

You can brew 4-6 large servings at a time by grinding coarser than normal and pouring the water directly into the center of the filter. The coarser grind helps the water flow faster, and pouring in the center creates a crater in the middle of the coffee bed and reduces the amount of coffee between your water and the bottom of the filter, where the brewed coffee flows through.

Pour as much water as you can fit without overflowing into the center of the filter, then slowly and steadily continue pouring water until you reach about 750 ml. It will take a little time to brew, but if you notice things moving too slowly, just lift the filter an inch and hold it there - the remaining water will flow through quickly and you will have brewed a significant amount of coffee with much less hassle than spreading it over several brewing rounds.

The V-60 as the Centerpiece of the Party

Hario's V-60 has not gained its legendary status among coffee connoisseurs for nothing. Nothing surpasses it when it comes to pour-over coffee brewing. Remember that these come in three sizes; with the largest 03, you can easily brew a liter at a time. And by taking your guests through the process several times, they can also learn something, and you can share your hard-earned brewing knowledge and your passion for good coffee. Brew directly into a thermos for the easiest handling of the finished brew.

Utilize the Flexibility of the Aeropress

The Aeropress is an extremely versatile little brewer. There are a million different ways to make coffee with it, although most methods are for one cup at a time. However, look at the standard instructions to find a clever way to make a little coffee go a long way. The standard Aeropress recipe calls for brewing a concentrate, which you then "dilute" (add water to) to create something similar to an americano.

Aeropress brewing is a quick affair, so you can brew several large batches in series using the standard recipe, and then add hot water to make a lot of coffee in a relatively short amount of time.

The French Method Under Pressure

If you have one, the reliable French press can serve you well when brewing for a group of people. It's easy to make, and yields large servings if you have the classic 8-cup variety, and requires very little direct attention beyond pouring water and then pressing down.

Batch Brew and Chill

On the other hand, the holidays are not a time for mess and stress, but rather for humility and reflection. There's nothing wrong with letting the Moccamaster do the work for you if you find it easier. This way, you'll have more time with friends and family, and a rare chance to relax during a busy period. Coffee doesn't always have to be the centerpiece of the party.

Do you have a thermos or two lying around? Fill them up with coffee - that way you can store one brew while you make more, and also so that your last-arrived guests can still enjoy hot coffee!

Nerd Mode

Although it may seem daunting, you are definitely well-equipped to make delicious coffee for your guests! These tips are great starting points, and even more resources are available on our blog here for how to get the most out of your grinder!

No matter how you caffeinate your guests, it's the passion for coffee you share that counts and is contagious. It's often the best thing you can offer your guests!

By Alexander Choppin, adapted for Norwegian by Rune Åldstedt