How to make Kopi at home (3 easy brew methods)

Sometimes, all we need is a strong cup of hot kopi to kickstart the day. We share how to make kopi at home in this article.

A question we often get when we run our Traditional Kopi catering service in Singapore is:

“Can I make kopitiam style kopi at home?”

Yes, you can most definitely can!

P.S. We’re selling Singapore Traditional Kopi Powder. This is the same blend we use at our traditional kopi live stations.

And yes, you can use these recipes with your Ya Kun coffee powder or Toast Box coffee powder too.

Here, we share 3 ways you can make kopi at home:

1. Traditional kopi using Mug and Coffee Sock – Serves 3 (8oz cups)[skip to section]
2. Traditional kopi using Vietnamese Coffee Pot – Serves 1 (5oz cup) [skip to section]
3. Traditional kopi using a Coffee Filter Bag – Serves 1 (8oz cup)[skip to section]

We’ve written out the recipe and added some of our notes below.

For detailed kopi recipes and how much condensed milk / evaporated milk to use, refer to our Kopi Recipes here.

But first, here’s the video that walks you through the 3 methods to brewing coffee, Singapore style:

Traditional kopi using Mug and Coffee Sock

It’s enjoyable to brew kopi for one, it’s even more enjoyable to brew for family and friends.

This recipe allows you to scale up your kopi brewing and to cater for more.

It’s really simple, all you need to do is to immerse the kopi powder in hot water for about 3 mins to get a kopi concentrate. Then, remove the kopi grounds, dilute and serve!

The brew ratio we use when brewing at home is:

15g Kopi powder for every 8oz cup (~240ml)

Some notes about this recipe:

This recipe makes a kopi concentrate which gives you the flexibility to adjust the strength and thickness of your cuppa.

For a start, we recommend a dilution of 1 part water to 3 parts kopi concentrate.

If you like your kopi gao (or strong), skip the dilution. Vis versa for those who like their kopi po (or weak), add more water to the concentrate.

And oh, we’ve replaced the usual coffee pot with a mug because, not everyone owns (or want to own) a traditional kopi pot!

As for the coffee sock, you should be able to find it at the hardware or utility stores in your neighbourhood.

Alternatively, you can get one from our store.

How to make kopi with Coffee Pot and Sock

Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

• Large mug or heat safe container
• 100 g Kopi powder (or 1 pack of our Kopi Powder)
• 500ml water just off the boil

Recipe for 4 cups:

1. Add 100g of kopi powder to a large mug or heat safe container,
2. Add 500ml of hot water,
3. Make sure all kopi powder are wet,
4. Let mixture steep for 3 minutes,
5. Remove kopi powder by filtering mixture through a coffee sock,
6. Distribute the kopi concentrate into respective cups,
7. Dilute to taste (for a start, add 1 part water to 3 parts kopi concentrate),
8. Add condiments of choice to kopi,
9. Enjoy!

Get your kopi brewing kit here

Traditional kopi using Vietnamese Coffee Pot

This method makes a single serving of kopi in a 5oz cup, pretty similar in volume to these:

The only equipment you’ll need for this is the Vietnamese Coffee Brewer, also known as a Phin:

For more information or answers to frequently asked question, read our Phin / Vietnamese Coffee Brewer Guide here.

How to make kopi using Vietnamese Coffee Pot

Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

• Vietnamese Coffee Brewer (Phin)
• 6g Kopi powder (~1 teaspoon)
• 158ml hot water

Recipe:

1. Place phin over cup without filter,
2. Add kopi powder,
3. Level kopi powder in phin,
4. Place coffee filter over kopi powder,
5. Add 158ml of hot water (just off the boil),
6. Wait for coffee to drip (will take about 3 minutes)
7. Add condiments of choice to kopi
8. Enjoy!

P.S. adding more kopi powder tend to result in a longer steeping time and a more bitter coffee.

Get your kopi brewing kit & phin here

Traditional kopi using a Coffee Filter Bag

If you do not have any equipment, here’s a no-frills alternative for you!

Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

• 1 coffee filter bag
• 6g to 12g kopi powder (~2 teaspoons)
• 200ml water just off the boil

Recipe for 1 cup of kopi using coffee bag:

• Add 2 teaspoon (heaped) of kopi powder to a coffee bag,
• Close bag, place in cup (8oz),
• Fill with water just off the boil,
• Wait 5 mins (make sure bag is completely submerged, use a spoon to hold down the bag),
• Remove bag,
• Add condiments of choice,
• Enjoy!

Adjust the dosage depending on how strong you’d like your kopi!

Browse kopi brewing kits here

Over to you…

We’ve shared three easy ways you can brew kopi at home.

Try the recipes and let us know what you think about them.

Or, if you have any questions, just leave a comment below or text us using that chat box on the right of your screen!

Happy brewing!

P.S. We’re retailing the traditional kopi powder, click here for more information!

Frequently Asked Questions

Since we published this guide, we’ve received questions on brewing kopi at home. Here’re some of the common ones:

Got more questions? Drop us a message on whatsapp (see bottom left of screen).