Lake Effect Coffee: Brewing Tips and Flavor Notes

By Onyx Coffee Lab - Coffee Roasters • Café • Barista Training | Published: 2026-10-30

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to brew Lake Effect coffee from Onyx Coffee Lab, including flavor notes and step-by-step tips for a balanced cup.

Quick Answer

To get the most out of Lake Effect coffee, use a medium-fine grind and a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio, and aim for a brew time around 3 minutes. This highlights its balanced, sweet profile without over-extracting.

Why Lake Effect Stands Out

Lake Effect is a public label coffee from Onyx Coffee Lab, created in partnership with Squibb. Unlike typical private labels, this collaboration celebrates the roaster-colleague relationship, resulting in a coffee that's uniquely sourced, roasted, and defined together. This partnership influences the flavor profile, making it a great choice for those who appreciate a collaborative, thoughtful cup.

Brewing Method Considerations

The best brewing method for Lake Effect depends on your preference. For a clean, bright cup, try a pour-over like a V60. For a fuller body, a French press works well. Adjust your grind size accordingly: finer for pour-over, coarser for French press. The key is to maintain a consistent water temperature around 200°F (93°C) to avoid bitterness.

Step-by-Step Brewing Guide

Measure and Grind: Use 20 grams of Lake Effect coffee for a 320 ml cup. Grind to a medium-fine consistency, similar to table salt. This size works well for pour-over and drip methods. Check that your grind is even; clumps can cause uneven extraction.
Heat Water: Heat filtered water to 200°F (93°C). If you don't have a thermometer, let boiling water sit for 30 seconds. Water that's too hot can scorch the coffee, making it bitter. Use a gooseneck kettle for better control if you have one.
Bloom: Pour just enough water to saturate the grounds (about 40 ml) and let it sit for 30 seconds. This allows CO2 to escape, which improves flavor extraction. If the bloom doesn't bubble, your coffee may be stale.
Pour and Brew: Slowly pour the remaining water in a circular motion, keeping the total brew time around 3 minutes. Aim for a steady, controlled pour to maintain an even extraction. If the brew finishes too fast, grind finer; if it's too slow, grind coarser.
Enjoy and Adjust: Taste your coffee. If it's too bitter, try a slightly coarser grind next time; if it's sour, go finer. Adjust your ratio to suit your taste, but start with 1:16. Keep notes on your adjustments so you can replicate your perfect cup.

About Lake Effect Coffee

Lake Effect: Lake Effect is a public label coffee, created in partnership with Squibb, and is uniquely sourced, roasted, and defined together. This collaboration means you're getting a coffee with a distinct character that reflects the joint expertise of both roasters, offering a unique tasting experience.
Lake Effect