Name: The Morning Forks COLD BREW Recipe
Cook time: 24 h
Total time: 24 h
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 cups coarsely ground coffee (medium-dark roast recommended); 4 cups cold, filtered water; 1 cups cold brew concentrate; 1 cups water or milk (dairy or plant-based) to dilute; 1 cups ice; 1 tbs simple syrup or sweetener (optional); 2 tbs milk foam or cream (optional); 1 to taste large jar or pitcher with lid; 1 to taste fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth; 1 to taste secondary container for filtered concentrate

Method

Cold Brew Concentrate

Combine coffee and water

Add 1 cup coarsely ground coffee to a clean large jar or pitcher. Pour 4 cups cold, filtered water over the grounds, ensuring all grounds are saturated. Stir gently for 20–30 seconds to make sure there are no dry pockets.

Steep

Cover the jar or pitcher with a lid or plastic wrap. Let the mixture steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 16–20 hours. Longer steep (up to 24 hours) yields a stronger, more concentrated brew; shorter steep (12–16 hours) yields a lighter concentration.

First strain

After steeping, set a fine mesh sieve over a secondary container and pour the brew through to remove the bulk of the grounds. Use a spoon to press the grounds lightly and extract more liquid without forcing fine particles through.

Fine filtration

Line the sieve with cheesecloth, a coffee filter, or a nut-milk bag and pour the strained liquid back through to remove fines. Allow the concentrate to drip through—this can take 5–20 minutes depending on filter. Avoid pressing aggressively to prevent over-extraction or cloudiness.

Store concentrate

Transfer the filtered cold brew concentrate to a sealed container and refrigerate. Concentrate keeps well for up to 10 days; flavor is best within 5–7 days. Label with date if desired.

To Serve (per 8 oz serving)

Fill a serving glass with 1 cup (8 oz) ice.

Pour 1 cup cold brew concentrate over the ice, then add 1 cup water or milk to dilute to taste (typical serving ratio 1:1 concentrate to water/milk). Adjust the amount of dilution if you prefer stronger or milder coffee.

If desired, add 1 tablespoon simple syrup or sweetener and stir to combine. For a creamy finish, float or stir in 2 tablespoons milk foam or cream.

Serve immediately. Cold brew can also be served warmed by gently heating the diluted drink—do not boil.

Notes and Variations

Concentration: The recipe yields a concentrate that is roughly double-strength. Adjust coffee-to-water ratio for a stronger concentrate (e.g., 1:3) or milder (1:5).

Flavoring: Add a cinnamon stick during steeping, or stir in vanilla, chocolate, or flavored syrups when serving.

Cold brew tonic: Replace the dilution water with tonic water for a bright, fizzy variation.

Cold Brew Recipe