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Home » Recipes » Summer

Easy Homemade Cold Brew Coffee

Published: Jul 13, 2022 by Coley · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

This easy recipe for Homemade Cold Brew Coffee uses a super simple technique to produce a smooth, strong coffee concentrate that's perfect for iced coffee, lattes, espresso martinis, coffee cocktails and more!

a tall glass of iced coffee with a straw and coffee beans in the background

Cold brew coffee has revolutionized how people drink iced coffee. It is so much better than pouring hot coffee over ice cubes only to wind up with a diluted, lukewarm cup of bitter bean water. High end coffee shops charge an arm and a leg for high-quality cold brew, but it's so easy to make it at home for a fraction of the cost. Drink it straight or try it in a coffee popsicle!

Why this recipe works

  • An easy, beginner friendly, fool-proof method that anyone can make!
  • Produces a super smooth, strong coffee that lasts several weeks in the fridge.
  • Only 2 ingredients needed!

Essential Ingredients

  • Coffee - For the best tasting cold brew, use the best coffee you can get your hands on. Look for something that's locally roasted and fresh for best results. I love coffee from my local roaster Harry + Beans. It's important that the coffee is coarsely ground, and will taste best if made with beans that are freshly ground. If you don't have a coffee grinder at home, grind your beans at the grocery store or ask a worker at Starbucks or your local coffee shop to do it for you.
  • Water - For the cleanest flavor, use filtered, bottled or distilled water. This way there won't be any added flavors from minerals, chlorine or anything else that might be in your tap water.

Helpful Equipment

  • Coffee Grinder - Coffee tastes best when it's ground fresh, so a coffee grinder is essential if you're a coffee enthusiast. These basic, small grinders work fine, but if you can invest in a Conical Burr grinder, you'll be able to achieve more precise and uniform coffee grounds, which will produce a smoother cold brew coffee.
  • Strainer - A strainer is essential for making cold brew. You can use a large holed colander in a pinch (lined with coffee filters of course), but a fine mesh strainer will work even better.

Step by step instructions

  1. Add the coffee and water to a container with a lid, then give it a good stir.
  2. Cover and let sit for at least 12 hours or up to 36 hours. You can brew the coffee at room temperature or refrigerated. If brewing at room temperature, the coffee will extract faster, so a shorter time is better. If brewing in the refrigerator, the coffee will extract slower so you can let it go a little longer. 
  3. Place a fine mesh strainer over top of a large bowl, then strain the coffee once to remove most of the coffee grounds.
  4. Discard the coffee grounds,* then place a coffee filter, a few layers of cheese cloth, or a few layers of paper towels inside the strainer set over top of another bowl.
  5. Pour the coffee into the strainer and allow it to drain slowly over the bow. It will take longer to drain this time, so have patience and don't try to force it through. 
  6. Once the liquid has finished straining, discard the solids and transfer the liquid to a jar ot bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to a month.
  7. To serve, pour the cold brew coffee over ice and dilute it with a bit of water if desired. Add your favorite sweetener or creamer, then enjoy!
  8. The leftover coffee grounds can be used as a body scrub or plant fertilizer. Don't throw them away! 
Side view of a glass of iced cold brew coffee with condensation on the outside.

Tips for success

  • Medium to coarsely ground coffee will produce the smoothest cold brew. Using a finer ground coffee will result in a cloudier, more sludgy coffee that could taste bitter. 
  • It's best not to let your coffee brew for more than 24 hours at room temperature and 36 hours in the refrigerator. This can cause the cold brew to over extract and turn bitter. 16-24 hours is usually the sweet spot, but it will ultimately depend on the type of coffee you're using, the size of the grounds, the temperature it's brewing at and personal preference. It might take a few batches to make your perfect cup!
  • For a flavored cold brew, try using flavored coffee beans or adding a few spices to the brew. Cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, star anise, nutmeg, vanilla beans and cacao nibs all make great additions. You can also flavor a cup of cold brew with your favorite flavored coffee syrup or creamer.
  • If your tap water isn't the best quality or has a distinct flavor, definitely use filtered or bottled water to make your cold brew coffee. It will make all the difference!
  • The leftover coffee grounds can be used as a body scrub or plant fertilizer. Don't throw them away! 
  • Cold brew coffee at the 1:4 ratio is STRONG. Many people like to dilute it with some water before drinking, or just let the ice melt a bit. But be warned, this stuff will make you wired!

Faq about Cold Brew Coffee

Can I use regular ground coffee to make cold brew if I can't get it coarsely ground?

Yes, you can, but the quality will vary. Regular or more finely ground coffee will result in more thick coffee sludge in your cold brew rather than a clean, clear liquid. If you go this route, take the time to strain the cold brew through a filter 1-2 extra times to help get rid of some of the sludge. It will also brew more quickly, so don't let it go more than 18 hours or it could turn bitter.

Can cold brew coffee be stored at room temperature?

No. Once the cold brew has been strained, it must be kept in the refrigerator to remain fresh. The brewing process, however, can be done at room temperature.

How long will cold brew coffee last in the refrigerator?

Up to one month. You can drink it past that and it won't hurt you, but for optimal flavor and freshness, consume cold brew within a few weeks of making.

Do I need any special equipment to make cold brew coffee at home?

There are many systems and pieces of equipment on the market advertised to make your own cold brew, but they really aren't necessary. If you have a large jar or bin, a strainer and some coffee filters, you can make cold brew easily at home.

Related Recipes

  • Espresso Brownies
  • Turkish Coffee Flourless Chocolate Cake
  • Chocolate Espresso Shortbread Cookies
  • Vietnamese Coffee Popsicles

Did you make this recipe and LOVE it? Please leave a star ⭐️ rating and/or comment to help other readers. I absolutely love hearing from you and do my best to answer all questions and comments. I love seeing when you make my recipes, so please tag me @ColeyCooks on Instagram and I will repost!

Print

Cold Brew Coffee

A tall glass of iced coffee with a straw and coffee beans in the background.
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

This easy recipe for Homemade Cold Brew Coffee uses a super simple technique to produce a smooth, strong coffee concentrate that's perfect for iced coffee, lattes, espresso martinis, coffee cocktails and more!

  • Author: Nicole Gaffney (ColeyCooks.com)
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes plus 12-24 hour brew time
  • Total Time: 5 minutes plus brew time
  • Yield: 4 cups 1x
  • Category: coffee
  • Method: brewed
  • Cuisine: Drinks

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup coarse coffee grounds *(see note)
  • 4 cups COLD water

Instructions

  1. Add the coffee and water to a container with a lid, then give it a good stir.
  2. Cover and let sit for at least 12 hours or up to 36 hours. You can brew the coffee at room temperature or refrigerated. If brewing at room temperature, the coffee will extract faster, so a shorter time is better. If brewing in the refrigerator, the coffee will extract slower so you can let it go a little longer. 
  3. Place a fine mesh strainer over top of a large bowl, then strain the coffee once to remove most of the coffee grounds.
  4. Discard the coffee grounds,* then place a coffee filter, a few layers of cheese cloth, or a few layers of paper towels inside the strainer set over top of another bowl.
  5. Pour the coffee into the strainer and allow it to drain slowly over the bow. It will take longer to drain this time, so have patience and don't try to force it through. 
  6. Once the liquid has finished straining, discard the solids and transfer the liquid to a jar ot bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to a month.
  7. To serve, pour the cold brew coffee over ice and dilute it with a bit of water if desired. Add your favorite sweetener or creamer, then enjoy!

Notes

  • Medium to coarsely ground coffee will produce the smoothest cold brew. Using a finer ground coffee will result in a cloudier, more sludgy coffee that could taste bitter. 
  • It's best not to let your coffee brew for more than 24 hours at room temperature and 36 hours in the refrigerator. This can cause the cold brew to over extract and turn bitter. 16-24 hours is usually the sweet spot, but it will ultimately depend on the type of coffee you're using, the size of the grounds, the temperature it's brewing at and personal preference. It might take a few batches to make your perfect cup!
  • For a flavored cold brew, try using flavored coffee beans or adding a few spices to the brew. Cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, star anise, nutmeg, vanilla beans and cacao nibs all make great additions. You can also flavor a cup of cold brew with your favorite flavored coffee syrup or creamer.
  • If your tap water isn't the best quality or has a distinct flavor, definitely use filtered or bottled water to make your cold brew coffee. It will make all the difference! 
  • The leftover coffee grounds can be used as a body scrub or plant fertilizer. Don't throw them away! 
  • Cold brew coffee at the 1:4 ratio is STRONG. Many people like to dilute it with some water before drinking, or just let the ice melt a bit. But be warned, this stuff will make you wired!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 2
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 4.7 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 0 g
  • Protein: 0.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: breakfast, coffee, cold brew, method, easy, drinks, concentrate

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a review and star rating ⭐️ to help other cooks!

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  1. K

    June 27, 2015 at 1:22 pm

    Looks refreshing. Always forget how much I enjoy iced coffee for my afternoon pick-me-up. Thanks for reminding me and I'm anxious to try your method.

    Reply
    • Coley

      June 29, 2015 at 6:09 pm

      You'll love it. I'll trade you a cup for a new kombucha scoby. I let my other one go way too long and when I checked it there were tiny little worms forming (SO gross). TMI?

      Reply
  2. Danielle

    June 29, 2015 at 2:14 pm

    Thanks for showing me how to make cold brew! I can't believe I spent all weekend with you in New Orleans and I'm only now finding out you play the ukulele.

    Reply
    • Coley

      June 29, 2015 at 6:08 pm

      Haha! This made me giggle out loud. I dabble. It's part of my whole new "no cable" situation. It was so wonderful to meet this weekend, and you better stay in touch! Hope you had an easy trip home. xo 🙂

      Reply
  3. Nic

    June 28, 2022 at 2:42 pm

    This was super easy and straight forward to make. Came out so good, it's great having it on hand in the summer

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Coley

      June 29, 2022 at 11:31 am

      So glad you loved it!

      Reply
  4. DB

    July 13, 2022 at 12:17 pm

    I think I've been overcomplicating my cold brew. This turned out absolutely perfect. Straight, to the point tutorial. Thank you

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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I'm Nicole Gaffney, but my friends all call me Coley. You should, too! I'm a chef and recipe developer specializing in coastal Italian cooking. Welcome to Coley Cooks! About Nicole Gaffney

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