Cold brew may be the easiest coffee there is: stir coarse grounds into cool water, wait, strain. Time does the work that heat does in other methods, and the result is smooth, mellow and good over ice or diluted with water or milk.
The Ratio
Most home cold brew is made as a concentrate. The National Coffee Association gives a ratio of 1 gram of coffee to 4–5 grams of water, using a coarse grind similar to rock salt. Dilute the finished concentrate with water, milk or ice to taste — often around one part concentrate to one part water to start.
How to Make Cold Brew, Step by Step
- Grind the coffee coarse.
- Combine grounds and cool or room-temperature water in a jar, pitcher or French press. Stir so all the grounds are wet.
- Cover and steep for about 12 hours, or overnight, at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
- Strain through a fine sieve lined with a paper filter or clean cloth, or press the plunger if using a French press.
- Pour the concentrate into a clean, covered container and refrigerate.
- Serve over ice, diluted with water or milk.
Tuning Your Cold Brew
Too weak
Steep longer, or use more coffee next time.
Too bitter or woody
Shorten the steep or grind a little coarser.
Cloudy or gritty
Strain a second time through a paper filter.
Want it ready faster
Steeping at room temperature extracts somewhat faster than in the fridge.
Because cold brew is a concentrate, small changes in dilution make a big difference. Start with less water and add more until it tastes right.
Keeping It Fresh
Ways to Serve It
Pour concentrate over a glass full of ice and top with cold water for a simple iced coffee, or with milk for something creamier. For a hot cup, dilute the concentrate with just-boiled water; it tastes softer than freshly brewed hot coffee. Cold brew also keeps its flavor when it melts into ice, so it is a good choice for a jug on a summer table.
Store finished cold brew covered in the fridge, use a clean container, and pour what you need rather than dipping into the jar. It tastes best within a few days. If you make it often, a dedicated jar with a mesh filter makes straining easier, but a pitcher and a sieve work just as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cold brew the same as iced coffee?
No. Iced coffee is usually hot-brewed coffee that is cooled or poured over ice. Cold brew is made with cool water over many hours, which gives a smoother, less sharp taste.
How long does cold brew keep?
Keep it covered in the refrigerator and drink it within a few days for the best flavor; taste will fade over time. Discard it if it smells or tastes off.
Better Beans, Better Brew
Whatever method you use, freshness and grind matter most. Here is how to buy, grind and store coffee.
Beans and Grinding