How to Make Cold Brew at Home
Easy cold brew method with concentrate and ready-to-drink ratios. Steep time, grind size, dilution, and storage tips for smooth, low-acid cold coffee.
Smooth, low-acid, and incredibly easy. Minimal equipment and almost no technique required.
Concentrate vs Ready-to-Drink
Concentrate (recommended): Use a higher coffee-to-water ratio (roughly 1:5 to 1:8). After steeping and filtering, dilute with water or milk to taste. Stores well in the fridge for 1–2 weeks.
Ready-to-drink: Use a lower ratio (1:12 to 1:15). Drink as-is after filtering.
Basic Concentrate Method
- Coarse grind (similar to French press)
- 1:7 or 1:8 ratio (e.g. 100 g coffee + 700–800 g cold water)
- Combine in a jar or pitcher, stir to wet all grounds
- Cover and refrigerate 12–18 hours (some prefer up to 24)
- Strain through a fine mesh, paper filter, or both
- Dilute 1:1 or to taste when serving
Tips
- Coarser grind makes filtering easier and reduces sediment.
- Fresh beans still matter, even for cold brew.
- Store concentrate in a sealed container in the fridge.
- Serve over ice with water, milk, or a splash of sweetener if desired.