Cold Brew Espresso Recipe
Make Cold Brew Espresso Recipe in just 20m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Cold Brew Concentrate
Finishing / Serving
Equipment (not for consumption)
Method
Cold Brew Concentrate
- 1
Measure and Grind
Measure 1 cup coarsely ground dark roast coffee. Aim for a coarse grind size similar to raw sugar or sea salt so extraction is slow and smooth.
- 2
Combine Coffee and Water
Place the ground coffee in the large jar or pitcher. Pour 4 cups cold filtered water evenly over the grounds. Use a spoon to gently stir, ensuring all grounds are saturated and there are no dry clumps.
- 3
Steep
Cover the jar and let it steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 16 to 20 hours. Steep longer (up to 24 hours) for a stronger, more concentrated brew; shorten to ~12–14 hours for a milder concentrate.
- 4
First Strain
After steeping, place the fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth (or a clean nut-milk bag) over the secondary container. Pour the coffee mixture through to separate the liquid from the bulk grounds. Use the back of a spoon to press gently on the grounds to extract more liquid, but avoid forcing so much that you pull through fines.
- 5
Second Strain (Optional)
For a clearer concentrate, pour the strained liquid through a second fine mesh sieve or a paper coffee filter. This step removes remaining fine particles and yields a smoother, cleaner concentrate.
- 6
Store Concentrate
Transfer the cold brew concentrate to a sealed container and refrigerate. It will keep well for up to 10 days, best within 5–7 days for peak flavor.
Finishing / Serving
- 7
Dilute to Taste
Cold brew concentrate is strong — a common serving ratio is 1 part concentrate to 1 part water or milk. Fill a glass with 1/2 to 1 cup ice, pour 2 to 4 ounces (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup) concentrate, then add an equal amount of cold water or milk depending on desired strength and creaminess.
- 8
Sweeten (Optional)
If you prefer sweetened coffee, add simple syrup or another liquid sweetener to taste (start with 2 tsp simple syrup) and stir until combined. Use dissolvable sweeteners rather than granulated sugar so it blends well into cold drinks.
- 9
Serve
Garnish with a splash of milk, cream, or a twist of citrus if desired. Serve immediately over ice. Keep any leftover concentrate refrigerated.
