How to Brew V60 Coffee: Two Hot Pour-Over Methods

V60 is a manual pour-over method that lets you control the strength, clarity and balance of your coffee. Small changes to grind size, water temperature and pouring can make a noticeable difference. Start with a repeatable recipe, then adjust one variable at a time.

Before you start

• 15 g freshly roasted filter coffee
• 250 g water (about a 1:16.7 coffee-to-water ratio)
• Water around 92–96°C, adjusted to taste and roast level
• A V60 dripper, paper filter, server or mug, and a scale

Rinse the paper filter with hot water, discard the rinse water, add medium-fine ground coffee and level the bed. Use freshly ground coffee when possible.

Method 1: Simple, balanced pour-over

1. Bloom: Pour about 45 g of water over the grounds, making sure they are evenly wet. Wait 30–45 seconds.
2. First main pour: Slowly pour in circles up to 150 g total water, avoiding the paper walls.
3. Final pour: Continue pouring gently to reach 250 g total water.
4. Drawdown: Let the water drain. A total brew time around 2:30–3:30 is a useful starting point, not a strict rule.

This method is a good baseline for learning a coffee's flavour. Keep your pours steady and avoid aggressive swirling until you can repeat the recipe.

Method 2: Pulse pouring for more control

1. Bloom with 45 g water for 30–45 seconds.
2. Pour to 110 g, pause briefly for the water level to fall slightly.
3. Pour to 180 g, then pause again.
4. Finish at 250 g with a gentle, controlled pour.

Pulse pouring divides the water into smaller additions. It can help you control agitation and compare how pouring affects sweetness and clarity. Keep the total water and grind size consistent when comparing methods.

How to adjust the taste

• Sour or thin: Try a slightly finer grind or a little hotter water.
• Bitter or drying: Try a slightly coarser grind, cooler water or gentler pouring.
• Weak: Use a little more coffee or slightly less water.
• Uneven results: Check that the coffee bed is level, the filter is rinsed and the pour wets all the grounds evenly.

Change one variable at a time and write down what you changed. Different coffees respond differently, so use taste rather than brew time alone to decide whether a recipe is working.

Choose a coffee for V60

Filter brewing often highlights a coffee's origin, aroma and processing character. Explore JAVA's V60 and filter coffee selection, then follow the origin and tasting notes on each product page to choose a coffee that suits your preference.