Cold Brew Recipe

Combine coffee and water

Place 1 cup coarsely ground coffee in a clean 1–2 quart jar or pitcher. Pour 4 cups cold filtered water over the grounds, making sure all grounds are saturated. Stir gently for 10–15 seconds to ensure even wetting.

Steep

Cover the jar or pitcher with a lid or plastic wrap. Let the coffee steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 16 to 20 hours. Room temperature yields slightly brighter flavors; refrigeration yields a cleaner profile.

Filter

After steeping, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth, a coffee bag, or a paper coffee filter into a clean container. If using cheesecloth, strain twice to remove fine particulates. Press gently on the grounds to extract liquid but avoid forcing sludge through the filter.

Store

Transfer the filtered cold brew concentrate to an airtight container and refrigerate. Concentrate will keep 7–10 days chilled; best within the first 5 days for peak flavor. Label with date if desired.

For a standard 8 fl oz serving, combine 1 cup cold brew concentrate with 1 cup cold water or milk in a serving glass. Adjust dilution to taste: use a 1:1 ratio for balanced strength, 1:2 (concentrate:water) for a milder cup, or serve undiluted over ice for a stronger drink.

Add ice (about 1 cup) to the glass, stir gently to chill and combine. Sweeten with about 1 tablespoon simple syrup or preferred sweetener if desired, and top with 1 tablespoon milk, cream, or milk foam for texture. Stir and taste; adjust sweetener or dilution as needed.

Serve immediately. Keep leftover concentrate refrigerated and use within 7–10 days. If serving multiple people, scale concentrate and water proportions (1:4 coffee to water for steeping; typical serving dilution 1:1).