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4.7 from 54 votes

How To Make Cold Brew Coffee At Home

On warmer days, it's time to make cold brew coffee at home and enjoy a refreshing morning drink to get your day started. It's super easy to make, no special equipment needed, and you can easily make a big batch in advance for the week with the coffee beans you love.

Prep Time
5 mins
Additional Time
18 hrs
Total Time
18 hrs 5 mins
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 5 kcal
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole coffee beans freshly and coarsely ground 80 grams
  • 4 cups of water 946 ml

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place the coffee grounds in a one-quart pitcher or similar vessel. Make sure that you can cover it, even if it's with some plastic wrap. Make sure that all the water and the coffee grounds can fit, and you can store it in the fridge.
  2. Pour the water over the coffee grounds.
  3. Stir to combine for a minute or until all the coffee grounds are thoroughly wettened.
  4. Cover and let it steep at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. 18 hours is my sweet spot.
  5. When ready to strain the coffee, place a nut milk bag over a large deep bowl (see other filter options in note).
  6. Pour the coffee concentrate into the milk bag.
  7. Close the bag, and use your hands to let the coffee steep and drip out entirely into the bowl.
  8. Discard the coffee grinds or use them as a body exfoliator or fertilizer for acid-loving plants.
  9. Transfer the cold brew into a pitcher with a lid—you can also use the same vessel in which the coffee grounds have steeped, but rinse it out first.
  10. Refrigerate and store for up to one week.
  11. To serve: Fill a tall glass with ice and pour over the cold brew. If desired, leave enough room for milk or cream or dilute with water if too strong. Enjoy as-is, or add your favorite flavors or sweeteners.

Notes

  • Alternatively, if you don't have a nut milk bag, use a thin coffee filter or fine cheesecloth and place it into a sieve or fine-mesh strainer over a large deep bowl. Pour coffee concentrate through the prepared sieve into the bowl. For more options, see the post.
  • Although not necessary, cold brew coffee is super easy to make with a cold brew coffee maker.
  • My favorite ratio is 1:4 (coffee to water ratio). It's a great starting point. But feel free to adjust based on preference and make your cold brew more robust or weaker.
  • Know that 1 cup of whole coffee beans weighs the same as 1 cup of ground coffee beans.
  • Grind the beans with a coffee grinder on the coarsest setting. Alternatively, you can use a blender and pulse on a medium to high setting for 3-5 seconds for about 30 seconds total. Or ask a locate roaster to grind your beans on a French Press setting. Most local grocery stores have a grinder with a French Press setting.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cup Calories 5kcal (0%) Sodium 12mg (1%) Calcium 7mg (1%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 5

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cup
Calories 5kcal 0%
Sodium 12mg 1%
Calcium 7mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.