Bulk Coffee Recipe

Measure and combine

Place 2 cups (coarse ground) coffee in the large nonreactive container. Add 2,000 ml cold filtered water over the grounds, ensuring all grounds are saturated. Stir gently for 10–20 seconds to wet all coffee evenly.

Steep

Cover the container and let the coffee steep at room temperature for 12–18 hours (12 hours yields a lighter concentrate, 18 hours yields stronger). Periodically (once or twice) gently stir during the first hour to break surface tension; otherwise avoid excessive agitation.

Initial drain and filter

After steeping, place a fine mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter or a double layer of cheesecloth over a clean pitcher or container. Slowly pour the steeped coffee through the sieve to separate most of the grounds. Allow it to drip; do not press the grounds with force.

Secondary fine filtration

For a clear concentrate, pass the filtered liquid through a fresh coffee filter or very fine sieve a second time. This step reduces sediment and extends fridge shelf life.

Store concentrate

Transfer the cold brew concentrate to airtight bottles or a sealed pitcher and refrigerate. Concentrate will keep 10–14 days refrigerated; best within the first week.

Dilute to drinking strength

Cold brew concentrate is strong: typically dilute 1 part concentrate to 1–2 parts cold water or milk depending on desired strength. For a standard cup, combine 120 ml concentrate with 120–240 ml cold water or milk.

Make iced coffee

Fill a glass with ice (about 1 cup). Pour 120–180 ml diluted cold brew (see previous step) over the ice. Add milk or milk alternative to taste (typically 1–2 tbsp for lightening) and sweeten with simple syrup as desired.

Make coffee with milk (cold or hot)

For an iced latte: pour 60–90 ml concentrate into a glass, add 180–240 ml milk (cold) and ice. For a hot coffee (not traditional with cold brew but possible): warm milk separately (do not boil), then combine 60–90 ml concentrate with 120–180 ml warmed milk and sweeten to taste.

Flavor variations

Stir 1 tsp vanilla extract into a cup for a vanilla note, or sprinkle a pinch (1/8–1/4 tsp) ground cinnamon on top. Add simple syrup (1–2 tsp) or flavored syrup to sweeten. Adjust to taste.

Batch serving suggestion

To serve a crowd, dilute 1 part concentrate with 1.5 parts cold water in a beverage dispenser, then provide milk, simple syrup, and ice on the side so guests can customize.

Discard used grounds (compost if available) and rinse equipment promptly. Wash pitcher, sieve, and filters as usual.