If you’re ready to fall in love with the smoothest, most refreshing cup of Cold Brew Coffee, you’ve absolutely come to the right place. This easy method pulls the deep, mellow flavors from coffee beans without a hint of bitterness—and you can make it right at home with nothing but coffee beans, water, and a little patience. Trust me, once you’ve had real homemade Cold Brew Coffee, you’ll never want to buy the bottled stuff again!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, Smooth Flavor: Enjoy coffee that’s bold yet never bitter—steeping slowly extracts pure chocolatey notes with no harshness.
- Super Simple Ingredients: Just beans and water deliver café-worthy Cold Brew Coffee that’s shockingly easy to DIY in your own kitchen.
- Perfect for Make-Ahead Sippin’: It stays fresh in the fridge for a week, so you can have an icy glass ready whenever you crave it—no morning rush!
- Totally Customizable: From creamy to bold, hot or cold, dilute to your perfect strength and add your favorite extras for a cup that’s all you.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Cold Brew Coffee recipe is how straightforward it is—with just two staples, you can create a brew bursting with flavor! Each ingredient counts, so quality and technique truly shine here.
- Whole Coffee Beans: Fresh, coarsely ground beans unlock deeper, smoother flavors—pick your favorite roast for a brew that matches your taste.
- Water: Since water makes up most of your coffee, filtered water is best for a clean, crisp taste and pure aroma.
Variations
One of the best parts about Cold Brew Coffee is how easily you can tweak it to fit your cravings or lifestyle. Don’t be afraid to adjust ratios, swap flavors, or try new ways to enjoy your brew!
- Flavored Cold Brew: Add a cinnamon stick, a vanilla bean, or a few cardamom pods to the grounds before steeping for subtle warmth and intrigue.
- Dairy-Free & Vegan: Swap out dairy for oat, almond, or coconut milk—each adds a special richness without masking the coffee’s natural taste.
- Decaf Bliss: Use your favorite decaf beans for all the flavor and chill vibes, minus the caffeine kick.
- Cold Brew Concentrate: For extra punch, brew with a higher bean-to-water ratio, then dilute to your liking for a coffee-shop-strength cup.
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee
Step 1: Coarsely Grind the Beans
Start with whole coffee beans and grind them on the coarsest setting you can—think crunchy breadcrumbs or cornmeal texture, not fine powder! Grinding just before brewing keeps all those lovely flavors and aromas intact, setting the stage for a rich infusion.
Step 2: Combine Coffee and Water
Spoon your fresh grounds into a large jar or pitcher, then pour in cool water. Use a long-handled spoon to stir gently, making sure every bit of coffee gets wet—this ensures a perfectly even extraction and no dry pockets of wasted flavor.
Step 3: Steep Overnight
Cover your cold brew mixture with a lid or plate (just to keep out any kitchen surprises), and let it steep for about 12 hours. You can leave it out at room temperature or pop it in the fridge; either way, slow steeping gives you that signature mellow richness.
Step 4: Strain Smoothly
To avoid gritty coffee, line a strainer with cheesecloth or a flour sack cloth and pour your steeped brew through it into a clean jar. Take your time here—patience pays off with clear, silken Cold Brew Coffee every time.
Step 5: Store and Serve
Transfer your finished Cold Brew Coffee to a bottle or jar, and stash it in the fridge for up to a week. Pour over ice, dilute to your favorite strength with water or milk, and let pure coffee joy kickstart your day—no drive-thru required!
Pro Tips for Making Cold Brew Coffee
- Grind Size Matters: Stick to a coarse grind—too fine, and your coffee will taste muddy and filter poorly; too coarse, and it’ll be weak and watery.
- Stir Thoroughly, Just Once: A gentle but thorough initial mix wets all the grounds—no need to stir again, which can add unwanted bitterness.
- Double Strain for Clarity: If you love extra-smooth Cold Brew Coffee, pour it through the cheesecloth twice for a totally grit-free sip.
- Customize Your Concentrate: For super-strong coffee, use less water (or more beans) during brewing—then simply dilute each glass to taste when serving.
How to Serve Cold Brew Coffee
Garnishes
Elevate your glass with simple touches like a twist of orange, a cinnamon stick, or a dollop of whipped cream. Even a sprinkle of cocoa or a drizzle of caramel can make your Cold Brew Coffee feel totally gourmet and weekend-brunch ready.
Side Dishes
This coffee pairs beautifully with just about anything—think buttery pastries, fresh fruit, or a slice of banana bread. On a lazy morning or an afternoon pick-me-up, Cold Brew Coffee fits right in next to your sweet or savory favorites.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving in tall glasses over coffee ice cubes for zero dilution, swirling with layers of milk, or even in a mason jar with a patterned paper straw. Hosting a brunch? Set up a “coffee bar” with syrups, spices, and different milks so each guest can dream up their perfect cup of Cold Brew Coffee.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your concentrate will keep beautifully in the fridge for up to a week. Just seal it in a clean jar or bottle and you’ll have Cold Brew Coffee ready to pour whenever you need a cool caffeine fix!
Freezing
If you ever make a big batch, pour any leftovers into an ice cube tray and freeze. These coffee cubes are fabulous for iced lattes, blended frappes, or kickstarting tomorrow’s serving with zero waste.
Reheating
Craving it hot? Simply microwave your desired amount (diluted with a splash of water or milk) in a mug for a warm, gentle cup. Cold Brew Coffee is flexible—enjoy it however you love!
FAQs
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Can I use pre-ground coffee for cold brew?
Technically, yes—just make sure you use coarsely ground coffee for best results. Pre-ground coffee that’s too fine can lead to a cloudy, gritty brew, so if you’re buying from a café or store, ask for a “French press” grind.
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How strong is homemade Cold Brew Coffee compared to regular iced coffee?
Cold Brew Coffee is typically brewed as a concentrate—much stronger than standard drip coffee. You’ll want to dilute it with equal parts water or milk when serving, but the smooth flavor makes it incredibly versatile.
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Does cold brew have less caffeine than hot coffee?
By volume, cold brew concentrate can have more caffeine than hot brewed coffee because it’s stronger! But once you dilute it to your taste, the caffeine is similar or a little higher than regular coffee—adjust your ratio based on how much kick you’re after.
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Can I steep cold brew longer than 12 hours?
You can—up to 18 hours is common—but after that, you may get more bitterness. If you like a super-bold flavor, a longer steep might be for you; taste and adjust to your personal preference.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever longed for café-worthy Cold Brew Coffee in your own kitchen, this recipe puts that dream within reach! It’s smooth, cool, and endlessly customizable—bring out your inner barista and treat yourself to the best homemade cold brew of your life. Cheers to boldly simple, deeply delicious mornings!
PrintCold Brew Coffee Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 12 hrs 10 mins
- Yield: 3 cups or so 1x
- Category: No-Cook
- Method: No-Cook
Description
Learn how to make delicious cold brew coffee at home with this simple recipe. Smooth and refreshing, it’s the perfect pick-me-up on a hot day.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (113 grams) whole coffee beans
- 4 cups (907 grams) water
Instructions
- Coarsely grind the coffee: Grind the coffee beans on the coarsest setting on your grinder, or in short 1-second pulses in a spice grinder. The grounds should look like coarse cornmeal, not fine powder. You should have just under 1 cup of grounds.
- Combine the coffee and the water: Transfer the coffee grounds to the container you’re using to make the cold brew. Pour the water over top. Stir gently with a long-handled spoon to make sure the grounds are thoroughly saturated with water.
- Steep overnight: Cover the jar with a lid or a small plate to protect it from dust and bugs. Let the coffee steep for about 12 hours. The coffee can be left on the counter or refrigerated; steeping time is the same.
- Strain the coffee: Line a small strainer with cheesecloth or flour sack cloth and place over a large measuring cup or bowl. Pour the coffee through the strainer.
- Store the coffee: Transfer the coffee to a small bottle or jar and store in the fridge for up to a week.
- Serve the coffee: Dilute the coffee with as much water or milk as you prefer. Serve over ice or warm for a few minutes in the microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 0
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg