Stress-Free Holiday Coffee: Simple Ways to Brew for a Crowd

Holiday Brewing Made Easy

Hosting during the holidays is already a full-contact sport. Between cleaning the house, wrangling schedules, and making sure no one burns the rolls, the last thing you need is complicated coffee brewing. And listen, your regular coffee pot is perfectly fine. Keep using it if that is what you love.

But if you are hoping to make elevated coffee for a crowd (or just impress that one coffee-obsessed cousin who travels with a digital scale), there are a few easy brewing methods that make the whole morning feel smoother and a lot more delicious.

In this guide, we walk through three stress-free ways to brew great coffee for groups:

• a large Chemex for the flavor purists
  
  
• an oversized French press for bold simplicity
  
  
• a make-ahead cold brew concentrate that basically brews itself
  
  

Let’s jump in.

Method 1: The 8 to 10 Cup Chemex — For the Coffee-Obsessed Guests

If you have ever hosted someone who travels with their own hand grinder, this one is for them. The large Chemex is the brewing method that says, “Yes, I take flavor seriously, but I also have limited holiday patience.”

The 8 to 10 cup Chemex is perfect for groups because:

• It brews clean, bright, flavorful coffee
  
  
• It scales beautifully without getting muddy or bitter
  
  
• It doubles as a beautiful centerpiece on the counter
  
  
• You can pour multiple cups without constantly reloading
  
  

If you need a great large-format brewer, the 8 to 10 cup Chemex is a fantastic option:

How to Brew a Large Chemex for a Crowd

Coffee-to-water ratio: About 1:15
(Generally 60–70g of coffee to ~900–1000g water, depending on how full you want the carafe.)

1. Heat your water
   Aim for ~200°F, or just off boil.
   
   
2. Grind medium-coarse
   Think sea salt — this keeps drawdown smooth and prevents bitterness.
   
   
3. Rinse the filter
   Removes papery flavor and preheats the Chemex.
   
   
4. Bloom with double the coffee weight
   If using 65g coffee, bloom with ~130g water for 30–45 seconds.
   It’s a small step that makes your flavor shine.
   
   
5. Pour in slow, steady circles
   Add water gradually, keeping the grounds submerged without flooding them.
   
   
6. Serve immediately
   Chemex coffee shines when fresh. If you need to keep it warm, transfer gently into a thermal carafe.
   
   

Who This Method Is Best For

• Guests who appreciate bright, flavorful coffee
  
  
• Brunch gatherings
  
  
• Holiday mornings when you want that café-quality aroma in the kitchen
  
  
• Anyone you’re casually trying to impress
  
  

Best Cutters Point Coffee Options

• Legacy Collection — elevated, clean flavors perfect for large pour-overs
  
  
• Pacific Peaks — a bright, balanced option from our classic line
  
  
• Original — a smooth, classic cup that stays rich without ever turning bitter

Method 2: The 48 to 60 Ounce French Press — Effortless, Bold, Reliable

If the Chemex is the elegant holiday centerpiece, the large French press is the workhorse. It shows up, does its job, and quietly makes you look like a hosting genius.

A big 48 to 60 ounce French press can serve a crowd with almost zero effort. No filters. No complicated pouring technique. Just bold, rich coffee that stays consistent from cup to cup.

Two great options for large-batch French press brewing:

• Yeti 64 Ounce French Press
  
  
  
• Stanley Classic 48 Ounce French Press
  

Why It Works So Well for Groups

• Makes a lot of coffee at once
  
  
• Super forgiving — ideal for busy holiday mornings
  
  
• Perfect for guests who love a fuller-bodied cup
  
  
• Easy to brew, easy to clean, and easy to set out for self-serve refills
  
  

How to Brew a Large French Press for a Crowd

Coffee-to-water ratio: 1:15
(For a 48–60 oz press, that’s 80–100g coffee to 1200–1500g water.)

1. Heat your water to just off boil
   No need to overthink this — immersion brewing is wonderfully forgiving.
   
   
2. Grind coarse
   Aim for breadcrumb-sized grounds. This keeps your cup cleaner and prevents over-extraction.
   
   
3. Add coffee + water
   Pour evenly so all the grounds are fully saturated.
   
   
4. Stir gently
   After pouring the water, give the slurry a quiet stir to break up any pockets of dry grounds.
   
   
5. Place the lid on top — but don’t plunge yet
   Let the lid act like a little insulator while the coffee steeps.
   
   
6. Steep for 4 minutes
   This is your sweet spot for balanced extraction.
   
   
7. (Optional but elevated) Skim the top
   Use a spoon to gently remove the floating layer of grounds and foam.
   This step creates a noticeably cleaner, smoother cup.
   
   
8. Slowly press the plunger
   No force required — a steady, gentle press keeps sediment to a minimum.
   
   
9. Serve immediately or transfer to a thermal carafe
   French press coffee continues to extract if it stays in the press, so moving it helps maintain flavor.
   
   

Who This Method Is Best For

• Large family gatherings
  
  
• Guests who enjoy a rich, full-bodied cup
  
  
• Hosts who want “brews for many” without extra work
  
  
• Anyone who wants to brew once and be done
  
  

Best Cutters Point Coffee Options

• Legacy Collection — bright, full-bodied, and perfectly balanced for immersion brewing.
  
  
• Fisherman’s — bold, hearty, and strong enough to keep the whole crew going.
  
  
• Dark Harbor — dark, rich, and thicker than your uncle’s questionable holiday stories.
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Method 3: Make-Ahead Cold Brew Concentrate — Add Hot Water, Serve Fast

If holiday hosting had a cheat code, this would be it. Cold brew concentrate is the “set it and forget it” method that lets you serve great coffee instantly — even when your kitchen feels like an airport terminal at peak travel hour.

The magic? You make it the night before, tuck it in the fridge, and when guests want coffee, you simply add hot water. Zero stress. Zero mess. Consistently smooth flavor every time.

Why It Works So Well for Groups

• Brew once, serve all weekend
  
  
• Guests can mix their own strength (bold, mild, or somewhere in between)
  
  
• Stays fresh up to a week in the fridge
  
  
• Hot or iced — whichever your guest is vibing with
  
  
• Silky-smooth flavor that’s incredibly forgiving
  
  

How to Make Cold Brew Concentrate for Holiday Hosting

Ratio: 1:4 concentrate
(Example: 250g coffee to 1000g water)

1. Coarsely grind your coffee
   Similar to French press — the coarse grind keeps it clean and smooth.
   
   
2. Combine coffee + water in a large jar or pitcher
   No fancy equipment needed.
   
   
3. Stir to ensure full saturation
   A simple wooden spoon gets the job done.
   
   
4. Cover and refrigerate for 12–18 hours
   Overnight works perfectly.
   
   
5. Strain well
   Use a fine-mesh strainer, filter, or cold brew system. The cleaner the strain, the smoother the cup.
   
   
6. Keep the concentrate chilled
   It stays fresh for up to a week — ideal for multi-day hosting.
   
   

How to Serve It Hot (The Holiday Hosting Hack)

Just mix:

• 1 part cold brew concentrate
  
  
• 2–3 parts hot water
  Adjust to taste.
  It’s fast, consistent, and way better than “left on the burner too long” coffee.
  
  

Who This Method Is Best For

• People who love smooth, low-acid coffee
  
  
• Hosts juggling nonstop guests
  
  
• Anyone who wants instant, high-quality coffee without brewing on the fly
  
  
• Early risers who refuse to wait for the rest of the house to wake up

Best Cutters Point Coffee Options

• Discovery Espresso — smooth, sweet, and rich enough to hold its own as a concentrate.
  
  
• Original — classic, dependable, and balanced for a crowd-pleasing hot cup

Final Tips for Hosting Without Stress

Brewing great coffee for a group doesn’t have to feel like a performance. A few small choices can make your whole holiday morning smoother — and keep the caffeine flowing without constant stops and starts.

Keep it Simple With Ratios

Once you know your go-to ratios (1:15 for hot brewing, 1:4 for cold brew concentrate), everything becomes easy. No guesswork. No chaos. Just consistent flavor.

Use a Thermal Carafe

Your coffee deserves better than sitting on a burner. A thermal carafe keeps flavor stable, prevents bitterness, and lets guests self-serve without you playing barista all morning. Or use an insulated French press.

Prep What You Can the Night Before

Measure your coffee, set out your brewing gear, and get your cold brew concentrate chilled and ready. The fewer steps you tackle in the morning, the smoother hosting feels.

Offer a Few Simple Fixings

Cream, sugar, flavored syrups, maybe a little whipped cream if you’re feeling festive. Small touches go a long way and let guests customize without complicating your brew.

Don’t Overthink It

Your guests aren’t judging your technique — they’re just happy there’s good coffee. Whether you’re making a large Chemex, a big French press, cold brew concentrate, or your trusty drip pot, the goal is the same: warm mugs, good conversation, and a stress-free morning.

Ready to Brew for the Holidays?

Make hosting easier with coffees crafted for moments that matter. Explore our full lineup or elevate the season with our Legacy Collection.

Shop now at CuttersPoint.com

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