Housemade Cold Brew Recipe

Combine coffee and water

Place 1 cup (about 85–95 g) coarsely ground coffee in a clean 1.5–2 quart jar or pitcher. Pour 4 cups (about 950 ml) cold filtered water over the grounds, covering them completely.

Bloom and stir

Gently stir the coffee and water mixture for 10–20 seconds to ensure all grounds are saturated and to break up dry pockets. Let the mixture rest for 5–10 minutes to allow initial degassing (bloom).

Steep

Cover the jar or pitcher with a lid or plastic wrap. Steep the coffee at room temperature for 12–18 hours (12 for a lighter concentrate, 16–18 for stronger). Alternatively, steep in the refrigerator for 16–24 hours for a cleaner flavor.

Strain coarse grounds

After steeping, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a nut milk bag into a clean container to remove the majority of grounds. Gently press or squeeze to extract remaining liquid but avoid forcing sediment through.

Filter for clarity (optional)

For a clearer cup, filter the strained liquid through a paper coffee filter or fine cloth filter set in the sieve. This will remove fine particles and produce a smoother, less gritty concentrate.

Store concentrate

Transfer the cold brew concentrate to a sealed bottle or jar and refrigerate. It will keep refrigerated for up to 10–14 days, best within the first week for peak flavor.

Determine dilution ratio. Cold brew concentrate is typically 1:1 (equal parts concentrate to water/milk) for ready-to-drink strength. Adjust to taste: 1 part concentrate to 1 part water/milk for balanced strength; 1:2 for milder; undiluted for a very strong iced coffee or recipes that call for concentrate.

Make a serving: fill a glass with 4–6 ice cubes (about 2 cups). Pour 1/2 cup cold brew concentrate into the glass, then add 1/2 cup cold water or milk (adjust ratio to taste). Stir gently.

Sweeten (optional): if you prefer sweetened cold brew, add simple syrup or sweetener to taste — start with about 1–2 tablespoons per 8-ounce glass and adjust. Stir until incorporated (simple syrup blends easier than granulated sugar).

Add milk or cream (optional): for a creamy drink, add up to 1/4 cup milk, oat milk, or cream and stir. Garnish with a lemon twist for a bright note if desired.

Serve and store remaining concentrate: serve immediately over ice. Keep remaining concentrate refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 10–14 days.