Learn how to make cold brew coffee at home – no fancy equipment required! It’s so easy, you’ll never have to worry about bitter or watered-down iced coffee again.
Starbucks may be good but homemade cold brew is there for you any time you need it. Learn all about cold brewing and how to make a mean batch of cold brew right at home so you never have to worry about drinking a tasteless, diluted, boring cup of coffee again!
What is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee is the less bitter and less acidic version of iced coffee that has gained popularity in the past few years. What’s the secret ingredient to the smooth, rich taste of cold brew coffee? Time.
The process is pretty simple – cold water (this is where the name cold brew comes from!) is poured over coarsely ground coffee and left to steep for 12-24 hours. The longer those grounds steep, the stronger your cold brew will taste (longer than 24 hours, however, is not recommended).
Heat is never added.
And while cold brew coffee does contain more caffeine than your average iced coffee, it does contain less caffeine overall when compared to a cup of hot coffee.
What You Need to Make Cold-Brewed Coffee
Aside from a little extra time, there’s no magical secret ingredient in cold brew coffee. All you need are some coarsely ground coffee beans and cold water.
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee
Here are three easy methods for making cold brew at home.
In all three methods, you can safely allow your coffee to “brew” at room temperature or in the refrigerator – it’s completely up to you.
For best results, allow the coffee grounds to steep for at least 12 hours, but no more than 24.
1. Loose grounds
- Coarsely grind the coffee beans
- Add the grounds and water to a jar or sealable container and stir the grounds to incorporate.
- Allow the coffee to brew at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.
- Strain the coffee grounds through a cheesecloth (or any fine mesh fabric that will strain) and pour the coffee mixture into a separate container for storage.
- Serve over ice or with milk.
2. Using a nut-milk or cheese-cloth bag
- Grind the coffee beans to a coarse grind.
- Add the coffee grounds to a nut milk bag and place in a sealable jar or container.
- Add the water and seal the jar. Allow the coffee to “brew” for 12-24 hours at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
- Remove the cloth bag and wring it out over the jar.
- Pour the cold brew over a glass filled with ice and enjoy!
3. Using a French Press
- Grind the coffee beans on a coarse setting.
- Add the grounds and water to a French press, and stir to combine. Do not plunge.
- Cover the French press with a cloth or lid and allow it to brew for 12-24 hours at room temperature or in the refrigerator overnight.
- When you’re ready to enjoy, slowly plunge your French press. Pour the desired amount of cold brew over a glass filled with ice.
Note: if your French press isn’t large enough to accommodate the ground coffee beans plus 4 cups of water, reduce by half or make a stronger cold brew concentrate, adding additional water after the cold brew has been brewed.
Cold Brew Coffee Ratio
Cold-brew coffee requires more coffee beans – at least twice as much – when compared to traditional drip coffee.
If this is your first time making homemade cold brew, a great starting point is a 1:4 ratio of coffee grounds to water. Or, about 1 cup of whole coffee grounds (approximately 4 ounces of coarsely ground coffee) with 4 cups of water.
If you want to make an extra-strong cold brew concentrate, simply reduce the total amount of water, changing the ratio to 1:1 or 1:2 of coarsely ground coffee to water. Remember, however, that concentrated cold brew is much higher in caffeine. Remember to serve as a 1:1 ratio cold brew concentrate with water or milk.
Try These Other Delicious Drinks,
Peach Strawberry Lemonade Recipe
Boba Tea Recipe (How to Make Thai Bubble Tea)
Thai Iced Tea Recipe; How to Make Thai Tea
Homemade Apple Cider Recipe (Stovetop + Slow Cooker)
Have you tried making your own Cold Brew?
Tell me about it in the comments below! I always love to hear your thoughts. And tag me #theforkedspoon on Instagram if you’ve made any of my recipes, I always love to see what you’re cooking in the kitchen.
RECIPE CARD
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee (3 Ways)
Ingredients
- 1 cup coffee beans - whole beans
- 4 cups cold filtered water
Instructions
Using a nut-milk or cheese-cloth bag
- Grind the coffee beans to a coarse grind.
- Add the coffee grounds to the cloth-bag and place in a mason jar (or any sealable container). Add the cold water and seal the jar. Let sit overnight, or up to 24 hours.
- Remove the cloth strainer and wring it out over the jar.
- Pour cold brew over a glass filled with ice and enjoy!
Using a French Press
- Grind the coffee beans to a coarse grind.
- Add the grounds and cold water to a French press. Do not plunge the French press. Allow the cold brew to sit in the refrigerator overnight, or up to 24 hours.
- When you’re ready to enjoy, slowly plunge your French press and pour the desired amount of cold brew over a glass filled with ice.
Loose Grounds
- Grind the coffee beans on a coarse setting.
- Add the grounds and cold water to a mason jar (or any sealable container). Stir the grounds to incorporate with the water and seal the container. Transfer to the refrigerator to sit overnight, or up to 24 hours.
- Place a cheesecloth (or any fine mesh fabric that will strain) on top of the bowl of a sifter, and pour the coffee mixture through into a separate container for storage, or into a glass with ice to serve immediately. The cloth and sifter will catch the grinds.
Jessica's Notes
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
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