Cold Brew Recipe
Make Cold Brew Recipe in just 20h 20m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Cold Brew Concentrate
To Serve (per 1 cup)
Optional Finishes
Method
Cold Brew Concentrate
- 1
Measure and Grind
Measure 1 cup of whole-bean coffee and grind to a coarse, even texture similar to raw sugar or coarse sea salt. Use a burr grinder if possible for consistency.
- 2
Combine Coffee and Water
In a clean 1-quart (or larger) jar, pitcher, or French press, add the 1 cup coarsely ground coffee. Pour 4 cups of cold, filtered water evenly over the grounds so all grounds are saturated. Stir gently for 10–15 seconds to ensure there are no dry pockets.
- 3
Steep
Cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap. Leave to steep at room temperature for 16 to 20 hours. For a milder concentrate, steep 12–14 hours; for stronger, up to 20 hours. Keep out of direct sunlight and at a consistent room temperature (65–75°F / 18–24°C).
- 4
Strain
After steeping, strain the coffee through a fine-mesh sieve lined with a paper coffee filter, cheesecloth, or a nut-milk bag into a clean container. If using a French press, plunge slowly and pour through a secondary filter for clarity. Repeat filtration once if you want a very clear concentrate.
- 5
Store
Transfer the cold brew concentrate to an airtight bottle or jar and refrigerate. Concentrate will keep for up to 10–14 days; best within 7 days for freshest flavor.
To Serve (per 1 cup)
- 6
Fill a serving glass with 6–8 ice cubes. Pour 1 cup of cold brew concentrate over the ice.
- 7
- 8
If desired, add 1 tablespoon simple syrup or other sweetener and stir until combined. Add 2 tablespoons cream or oat milk for a richer texture. For a vanilla touch, stir in 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- 9
Taste and adjust dilution or sweetener as needed, then serve immediately.
Optional Finishes
- 10
For a creamy top: froth 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or oat milk) lightly with a small whisk or milk frother until thickened but still pourable. Spoon on top of the prepared cold brew and serve.
- 11
If you prefer a ready-to-drink ratio, mix concentrate and water/milk in a 1:1 ratio in a pitcher, chill, and serve over ice.