Cold Brew Recipe

Combine coffee and water

Place 1 cup coarsely ground coffee in a clean 1.5–2 quart jar or pitcher. Add 4 cups cold filtered water, pouring gently to wet all grounds. Stir once or twice to ensure all grounds are saturated.

Steep

Cover the jar with a lid or plastic wrap. Let steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12–18 hours. For a smoother, less acidic result, steep 16–18 hours. For a brighter, slightly more acidic concentrate, steep 12 hours.

Strain (first pass)

After steeping, strain the mixture through a coarse sieve or a fine-mesh strainer lined with a double layer of cheesecloth into a clean container. Let the liquid pass through naturally; do not press too hard on the grounds to avoid excess bitterness.

Strain (second pass)

For a clearer concentrate, strain the filtered liquid a second time through a paper coffee filter, a nut-milk bag, or a new layer of cheesecloth. This removes fine sediment and yields a cleaner mouthfeel.

Optional flavoring

If using optional flavors for the entire batch, add 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 cinnamon stick, or a large strip of orange peel to the concentrate after the first strain and let sit 1–2 hours in the fridge, then remove solids.

Refrigerate

Transfer the concentrate to a sealed container and refrigerate. Concentrate will keep 7–10 days; best within the first 5 days.

Prepare glass: Fill an 8 oz glass with 4–6 ice cubes.

Mix drink: Pour 1/2 cup cold brew concentrate and 1/2 cup cold water or milk over the ice (a 1:1 ratio). Adjust ratio to taste: up to 1:2 concentrate-to-water for a milder cup or 2:1 for a stronger drink.

Sweeten and finish: Stir in 1 tablespoon simple syrup or preferred sweetener. Taste and adjust. Garnish with a dash of cinnamon or a thin orange twist if desired.