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How to Make Perfect Homemade Cold Brew Coffee at Home
5 from 240 votes

How to Make Perfect Homemade Cold Brew Coffee at Home

When the temperature rises, it's time for cold brew coffee. It's super easy to make, and you don't need any fancy equipment. Learn the best tips and tricks for the perfect cold brew at home every time; you'll never have bitter or watered-down iced coffee again!

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

Ingredients

  • 1 cup coffee beans freshly ground, whole
  • 4 cups water filtered
Optional Add-ins
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla bean paste or whole vanilla bean, scraped
  • milk as desired, or creamer

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Freshly grind the coffee beans on the coarsest setting. If you don't have a grinder, ask a local coffee shop to grind their beans on the coarsest setting, or grind them at the grocery store. I don't recommend using preground coffee.
  2. Place the grounds in a quart-sized mason jar or another large vessel like a pitcher. As long as you can cover it - even with plastic wrap - and the liquid will fit, you're set! If adding a cinnamon stick or vanilla bean paste, do so now.
  3. Pour the water over the beans, working to saturate all of the grounds. As needed, use a spoon to gently mix in all the grounds to ensure that they are all wet.
  4. Cover the cold brew and let rest on the countertop or in the fridge for 14-24 hours, as desired. I find the sweet spot is 18 hours.
  5. Place a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl and spread a piece of cheesecloth or a nut milk bag on top of the sieve (see the post for additional straining options). Pour the coffee into the bowl to strain it.
  6. To serve, fill a glass with ice and add the cold brew. As needed, dilute the concentrate with water, cream, or milk. Stir in flavored simple syrup as desired and enjoy!

Notes

  • This recipe makes around 20 ounces of strong cold brew. Keep in mind that ice and any dilution will extend it to 3-4 servings depending on the above.
  • My favorite ratio for cold brew is 1:4 beans to water; feel free to double or triple the recipe as needed, or adjust the ratio as needed based on your preferences.
  • 1 cup of whole beans is the same amount as 1 cup of coffee grounds.
  • Time matters - if it steeps for less than 12 hours, it will taste watered down because it hasn't extracted enough coffee. Longer than 24 hours, you might find it too acidic and/or bitter (just dilute it down more).

Nutrition Information

Serving 8ounces Calories 5kcal (0%) Sodium 12mg (1%) Calcium 7mg (1%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 5

% Daily Value*

Serving 8ounces
Calories 5kcal 0%
Sodium 12mg 1%
Calcium 7mg 1%

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