Brew Guide
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee
Smooth, low-acid, and dead simple. Make a big batch, keep it in the fridge, and enjoy all week.
The Basics
Cold Brew Coffee Is the Easiest Method
Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for 12–16 hours, then straining. The result is a smooth, naturally sweet concentrate with about 65% less acidity than hot brewed coffee. No special equipment needed—just a jar, coffee, water, and patience.
The key to great cold brew is using high-quality beans. Because cold water extracts differently than hot water, the bean's natural flavor characteristics really shine through. Different single origin coffees produce dramatically different cold brews—chocolatey Brazils, fruity Ethiopians, caramelly Colombians. It's worth experimenting.
What You'll Need
- • Large jar or pitcher — Mason jar, French press, or any container with a lid
- • Burr grinder — for a consistent coarse grind
- • Kitchen scale — weight beats volume every time
- • Cheesecloth or coffee filter — for straining
- • Fresh coffee beans — the most important ingredient
Step One
Measure Your Coffee
Use a 1:6 coffee-to-water ratio for cold brew concentrate. For 1 liter of water, weigh out 167 grams of coffee. This produces a strong concentrate that you can dilute to your preferred strength when serving.
Cold brew uses significantly more coffee than hot brewing methods because cold water extracts less efficiently. That's why we recommend making a large batch—you're already using the coffee, so make enough to last the week.
Quick Ratio Reference
500ml
83g coffee
1 liter
167g coffee
2 liters
334g coffee
Step Two
Grind Coarsely
Grind your coffee very coarsely—similar to a French press grind, or roughly the texture of raw sugar. A coarse grind is critical for cold brew because the long steep time means fine grounds will over-extract and turn bitter.
As always, grind just before brewing for the freshest flavor. If you don't have a grinder, you can ask a local roaster to grind for cold brew—just use it within a day or two.
Grind Size Comparison
Too Fine ✕
Espresso or drip grind will over-extract and taste bitter
Just Right ✓
Coarse like raw sugar or French press grind
Too Coarse ✕
Peppercorn-sized chunks will under-extract and taste watery
Step Three
Steep 12–16 Hours
Combine your coffee and water in a jar or pitcher, give it a good stir to make sure all the grounds are wet, then cover and let it steep. You can steep on the counter at room temperature or in the fridge—both work great.
The sweet spot for most people is 14–16 hours. This produces a smooth, full-bodied concentrate with balanced sweetness. If you like it extra strong, you can steep up to 20 hours. Under 12 hours will taste weak and under-developed.
Steep Time Guide
- • 12 hours — lighter, milder flavor
- • 14–16 hours — most popular, balanced and smooth
- • 18–20 hours — extra strong concentrate
- • Counter vs fridge — counter is faster and bolder, fridge is smoother
Step Four
Strain Your Cold Brew
Once your steep time is up, strain the cold brew to remove the grounds. The easiest method is to pour through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a clean jar or pitcher. You can also use a regular paper coffee filter, though it's slower.
If you brewed in a French press, just press the plunger down and pour. For an extra clean cup, you can strain a second time through a paper filter—but it's not required.
Quick Methods
- Fine mesh strainer + cheesecloth (fastest)
- French press plunger (easiest)
- Nut milk bag (reusable, clean)
For Extra Clarity
- First strain through mesh strainer
- Second strain through paper coffee filter
- Results in a crystal-clear concentrate
Step Five
Enjoy Your Cold Brew
Your cold brew concentrate is ready. Store it in the fridge in a sealed container and it'll stay fresh for about one week. Because this is a concentrate, you'll likely want to dilute it—start with a 1:1 ratio of cold brew to water and adjust from there.
Serve it over ice, mix it with milk, or try one of the fun recipes below. Cold brew is incredibly versatile and makes a great base for coffee cocktails, smoothies, and more.
Pro Tips
- • Make a large batch—you're already using the coffee, so make enough for the whole week
- • Different beans produce dramatically different cold brews—experiment with origins
- • If it's too strong, cut 1:1 with water—don't waste good coffee by tossing it
- • Freeze cold brew in ice cube trays for iced coffee that doesn't get watered down
Get Creative
Fun Cold Brew Recipes
Cold brew concentrate is incredibly versatile. Once you have a batch in the fridge, try these simple recipes that go beyond the basic iced coffee. Each one takes less than a minute to make and requires no special equipment.
Cold Brew + Milk
The classic pairing
- • Ratio: 1:1 cold brew to milk
- • Serve over ice
- • Works with any milk—oat milk is our favorite
Cold Brew Tonic
Fizzy and refreshing
- • Ratio: 1:2 cold brew to tonic water
- • Pour cold brew over ice, top with tonic
- • Add a lemon or lime wedge
Cold Brew Shandy
Sweet and summery
- • Ratio: 2:3 cold brew to lemonade
- • Stir together over plenty of ice
- • A perfect afternoon pick-me-up
Common Questions
Cold Brew Coffee FAQ
What is the best ratio for cold brew coffee?
Use a 1:6 coffee-to-water ratio for cold brew concentrate. For 1 liter of water, use 167g of coffee. Dilute the finished concentrate 1:1 with water or milk when serving.
How long should cold brew steep?
Steep cold brew for 12–16 hours. The sweet spot for most people is 14–16 hours, which produces a smooth, full-bodied concentrate. You can go up to 20 hours for extra strong cold brew. Under 12 hours will taste weak and under-extracted.
Should I cold brew on the counter or in the fridge?
Either works perfectly. Room temperature steeping extracts slightly faster and produces a bolder flavor. Fridge steeping takes a bit longer but yields a smoother, more mellow result. Both methods are safe and produce great cold brew.
How long does cold brew last in the fridge?
Cold brew concentrate stays fresh in the fridge for about one week when stored in a sealed container. After that, the flavor starts to degrade. That's another good reason to make a large batch—you'll use it up before it goes stale.
Can I use any coffee for cold brew?
Yes, but different beans produce very different cold brews. High-quality single origin beans create complex, nuanced flavors. Chocolatey and nutty profiles (like Brazilian and Colombian coffees) work especially well. Fruity, lighter roasts make a surprisingly refreshing cold brew too.
Better Beans Make Better Cold Brew
Fresh roasted, single origin specialty coffee delivered to your door. The secret ingredient in exceptional cold brew.
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