Lee's Cold Brew Recipe

Combine coffee and water

Place 1 cup coarsely ground coffee in a clean large jar or pitcher. Pour 4 cups cold or room-temperature filtered water over the grounds, ensuring all grounds are saturated. Stir gently for 10–15 seconds to make sure dry pockets are gone.

Steep

Cover the jar with a lid or plastic wrap and steep at room temperature for 16 to 20 hours (12–24 hours acceptable). For a brighter cup, aim for the lower end of the range; for a stronger, more concentrated flavor, aim toward 18–20 hours.

First strain

After steeping, set a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl or another pitcher and line the sieve with cheesecloth (doubled) or use a nut milk bag. Pour the steeped mixture through the lined sieve to separate most of the grounds. Allow the liquid to drain; gently squeeze the cheesecloth or bag to extract remaining liquid from the grounds.

Second strain (optional for clarity)

For a clearer concentrate, strain the liquid a second time through a clean fine-mesh sieve lined with a fresh piece of cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Transfer the finished cold brew concentrate to a sealed container and refrigerate. Concentrate will keep 7–10 days cold; optimal within 3–5 days.

Fill a tall glass with about 6 ice cubes.

Pour 1/2 cup cold brew concentrate over the ice.

Add 1/2 cup cold water or milk (dairy or plant) to dilute to drinking strength. Adjust ratio to taste — use more concentrate for stronger coffee or more water/milk for a milder drink.

Stir in 1 tablespoon simple syrup or other sweetener, and a small pinch of salt if desired to enhance sweetness and round flavors. Taste and adjust sweetener or dilution.

Serve immediately. Leftover concentrate: keep refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 10 days.

Grind size: use a coarse grind (similar to raw sugar) to avoid over-extraction and a muddy cup. If your coffee tastes grassy or under-extracted, try a slightly finer grind or increase steep time slightly.

Ratio adjustments: the recipe uses a 1:4 coffee-to-water ratio by volume to make a ready-to-drink-style concentrate. For a stronger concentrate, increase coffee to 1.25 cups per 4 cups water, then dilute when serving.

Sweeteners and flavorings: add vanilla, cinnamon, or a splash of cream for variation. If using flavored syrups, stir into the concentrate before adding ice to dissolve evenly.