If you’re a coffee lover looking for a smoother, less acidic, and highly caffeinated way to enjoy your brew, cold brew coffee recipe might just become your new favorite. Unlike traditional hot coffee, cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period. The result is a bold, refreshing, and incredibly smooth coffee concentrate that can be served over ice, mixed with milk, or used in creative drinks.
In this article, you’ll learn how to make the perfect cold brew coffee at home using simple ingredients, step-by-step instructions, variations, tips, and answers to common questions.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
-
Ultra Smooth and Less Acidic – Cold brew is 60–70% less acidic than hot coffee, making it gentler on your stomach.
-
Easy and Affordable – Make large batches at home and skip the coffee shop prices.
-
Customizable – Control the strength, sweetness, and flavor to suit your taste.
-
Perfect for Meal Prep – Store in the fridge and enjoy cold coffee all week long.
Ingredients List
You’ll need just a few ingredients and tools to get started:
-
1 cup coarsely ground coffee (medium to dark roast works best)
-
4 cups cold or room temperature filtered water
-
Optional: sweeteners (sugar, maple syrup), milk, cream, ice, flavored syrups
Equipment:
-
Large mason jar, French press, or pitcher
-
Fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter
-
Spoon for stirring
-
Storage bottle or container
Timing & Servings
-
Prep Time: 5 minutes
-
Brew Time: 12–24 hours
-
Total Time: Up to 24 hours
-
Servings: Makes about 3–4 servings (adjustable)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cold Brew Coffee Recipe
Step 1: Measure and Grind Your Coffee
Use coarsely ground coffee, similar to breadcrumbs or raw sugar. Fine grinds can over-extract and make your brew bitter.
Step 2: Combine Coffee and Water
In a large jar or French press, combine 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee with 4 cups of cold or room-temperature water.
Step 3: Stir to Combine
Stir the mixture gently to make sure all grounds are wet and fully immersed.
Step 4: Cover and Steep
Cover the jar or pitcher with a lid or plastic wrap. Let it steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours. The longer it steeps, the stronger it will be.
Step 5: Strain the Coffee
Use a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter to strain the coffee into a clean jar or pitcher. For French presses, just plunge slowly and pour.
Step 6: Serve and Store
Store the concentrate in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Dilute with water, milk, or cream before serving over ice.
Cold Brew Coffee Ratio Guide
You can adjust the ratio depending on how strong you like your coffee.
Strength Coffee Water Standard 1 cup 4 cups Strong 1 cup 3 cups Mild 1 cup 5 cups
Use a 1:1 ratio of concentrate to water/milk when serving.
Serving Ideas and Variations
Classic Cold Brew Over Ice
Simply pour your cold brew over ice and dilute with water or milk.
Cold Brew with Milk or Cream
Add a splash of whole milk, oat milk, almond milk, or half-and-half for a creamy touch.
Sweetened Cold Brew
Add a flavored simple syrup (vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut) or dissolve sugar in warm water before adding to your coffee.
Cold Brew Latte
Mix equal parts cold brew and milk. Add ice and sweetener if desired.
Cold Brew with Tonic
Pour cold brew over tonic water and ice for a fizzy, sophisticated twist.
How to Make Cold Brew in a French Press
-
Add 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee to the carafe.
-
Pour 4 cups of cold water and stir.
-
Place the lid on (do not plunge) and steep for 12–24 hours.
-
Slowly press down the plunger and pour.
Cold Brew vs Iced Coffee
Feature Cold Brew Iced Coffee Brew Method Steeped cold for 12–24 hours Brewed hot and cooled Acidity Low Higher Flavor Smooth, rich More bitter or acidic Caffeine Higher (concentrate) Lower (standard brew) Storage Up to 7 days in fridge Best consumed fresh
Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew
-
Medium to Dark Roast – Delivers a rich, smooth taste with less acidity.
-
Single-Origin Beans – Offers unique flavor notes like chocolate, berry, or nutty.
-
Freshly Ground – Grind your beans just before brewing for the best flavor.
Cold Brew Troubleshooting
Why Is My Cold Brew Bitter?
-
You may have steeped it too long or used coffee that was too finely ground.
Why Is It Too Weak?
-
Try using less water or more coffee grounds next time.
How Can I Make It Sweeter?
-
Use a coffee syrup, honey, or a splash of vanilla extract.
Cold Brew for a Crowd
Hosting a brunch or BBQ?
-
Use 2–3 cups of coffee grounds and 8–12 cups of water.
-
Brew in a large jar or container.
-
Store in pitchers or a drink dispenser with lemon slices or flavored syrups on the side.
Make-Ahead and Storage
How Long Does Cold Brew Last?
Properly strained and refrigerated cold brew will last up to 7 days.
Can I Freeze Cold Brew?
Yes! Pour into ice cube trays and freeze. Use them to chill your drink without dilution.
Should I Store It Concentrated or Diluted?
Store as a concentrate for maximum versatility. Dilute per serving to your preferred strength.
Health Benefits of Cold Brew
-
Lower Acidity – Gentle on sensitive stomachs.
-
Higher Antioxidants – Coffee is rich in polyphenols.
-
Less Sugar (Optional) – Customize it to be sugar-free.
-
Hydration Support – Especially when diluted with water.
FAQs
Can I use regular ground coffee?
Only if it’s coarsely ground. Fine grounds will make the coffee muddy and overly bitter.
Do I have to use a French press?
No, any jar or pitcher with a lid works fine. Just make sure to strain it well.
Is cold brew stronger than regular coffee?
Yes. The concentrate has higher caffeine content, but you can dilute it to your taste.
Can I heat up cold brew?
Yes! Cold brew can be heated for a smooth, hot coffee with lower acidity.
Can I reuse the coffee grounds?
Not recommended. Used grounds won’t yield the same flavor and richness.
Conclusion
Cold brew coffee is more than just a trend—it’s a game-changer for anyone who loves a bold yet smooth cup of coffee. With just coffee, water, and time, you can create a delicious brew at home that rivals any coffee shop. Whether you enjoy it straight over ice, sweetened with syrup, or swirled with cream, the flexibility and taste of cold brew make it a year-round favorite.