Citrus Cold Brew Recipe

Combine and steep

In a clean jar or container, combine 1 cup coarsely ground coffee with 4 cups cold filtered water. Stir gently to fully saturate the grounds, ensuring no dry pockets.

Steep time

Cover the container and steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 16 to 18 hours for a balanced concentrate (12–20 hours range is acceptable depending on taste).

Strain

After steeping, strain the coffee through a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a paper coffee filter into a clean container. Squeeze or press gently to extract as much liquid as possible without forcing sediments through. This yields a cold brew concentrate.

Store the concentrate in the refrigerator for up to 7 days in a sealed container.

Make syrup

In a small saucepan, combine 2 tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional). Warm over low heat just until the sugar dissolves, about 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Add lemon and agave

Immediately whisk in 1 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon agave nectar, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest. Taste and adjust sweetness: add another 1–2 teaspoons sugar or more agave if you prefer sweeter. The mixture is a bright citrus syrup — no need to simmer after adding fresh juice.

Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve to remove zest and any pulp. Chill briefly if desired. The syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Assemble glass

Fill a tall glass with about 1 cup ice cubes and a couple of fresh lemon slices.

Mix beverage

Combine equal parts (1:1) cold brew concentrate and cold water in a separate pitcher or directly in the glass. For one 12–16 oz serving: use 4 oz concentrate + 4 oz cold water. Stir to combine.

Add citrus syrup

Add 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of the prepared citrus syrup (lemon + agave) to the mixed cold brew, then taste. Add more syrup or a drizzle of agave to taste if you prefer sweeter or more pronounced citrus.

Garnish and finish

Stir gently, add a lemon twist for aroma, and float an extra lemon slice on top. Serve immediately.

Optional variations: For a brighter drink, increase lemon syrup to 2 tablespoons. For a creamier version, add 1–2 tablespoons oat or dairy milk as a float.