This smooth, rich and satisfying Cold Brew Coffee is easy to make at home with no fancy equipment or coffee maker required! With less caffeine and a stronger flavor than regular iced coffee, you’ve just found your new favorite pick-me-up drink.
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2 Methods for Perfect Homemade Cold Brew
If you knew how easy it was to make your own cold brew coffee, you’d be spending a lot less time and money at Starbucks. But don’t worry – it’s never too late! You can whip up a refreshing cup of cold brew at home with a single glass jar or your trusty French press.
If you’re one of those people who likes to wake up, grab your coffee and head straight to work, this recipe is just what you need. You can prepare a whole pitcher of cold brew ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for weeks. Once you kiss your daily coffee run goodbye and say hello to this homemade cold brew, you’ll never look back!
What is Special About Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee is a slowly brewed coffee made from grounds that have been steeped for 12-24 hours. Once you strain it, you’re left with a deliciously bold, flavorful and smooth cup of iced coffee.
Because this kind of coffee doesn’t undergo an intense heat treatment, it’s significantly less acidic and a bit sweeter than a regular cup of joe. Plus, it gives you the best of both worlds with less caffeine and more coffee flavor!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need water and coffee grounds to make this classic beverage, but there are a few additional items you’ll want to add before you drink up.
- Coarsely Ground Coffee: You can grind your favorite coffee beans at home with a coffee grinder or purchase pre-ground beans at the grocery store. The size of the granules should be similar to the size of bread crumbs so that you can properly strain them after they’re steeped.
- Filtered Water: This should be cold. Use bottled water for the cleanest-tasting coffee.
For Serving
- Ice Cubes: I like to freeze some of my coffee in an ice cube tray so that the ice doesn’t water down the drink as it melts.
- Milk: Any kind of milk will work here, including non-dairy substitutes.
- Sweetener: Optional.
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home
As long as you use the right ratio of ground coffee to water, you can make as much cold brew as your container or French press will hold. Let’s go over both methods in detail.
Glass Jar Method
Steep: Add the ground coffee to a large pitcher or jar, then pour in the water. Stir well with a bar spoon or cover the jar with the lid and shake to combine. Let the mixture sit in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.
Strain: Once it has finished steeping, strain the mixture by pouring it through a cheesecloth-lined mesh sieve into a large container or mason jar.
Serve: Add ice to a glass, then fill it halfway to the top with cold brew. Add milk and other desired ingredients to taste.
French Press Method
Steep: Add the ground coffee to your French press, then pour in the water and stir. Place the lid on top and press down gently. Do not plunge. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for 12-16 hours.
Strain: Once it has steeped, press the plunger down. Transfer the cold brew to a large container or mason jar.
Serve: Add ice to a glass, then fill the glass halfway with coffee. Add milk and an optional sweetener to taste.
Tips for Success
These simple tips and tricks will help you get your cold brew coffee just right. Start channeling your inner barista!
- Don’t Use Finely Ground Coffee: Ideally, your coffee grounds should have a medium-coarse consistency. If the granules are too fine, they could make their way through the sieve when you strain your coffee.
- The Golden Ratio: We like using a 4:1 ratio of water to coffee. So for every one cup of coffee grounds, add 4 cups of water.
- Steep for 12 Hours Minimum: Be sure to steep your coffee for at least 12 hours before you strain it. If you like your coffee stronger, we suggest steeping it for closer to 24 hours (or 16 hours if you’re using the French press method).
Tasty Flavors to Try
Feel free to substitute the milk for your favorite coffee creamer, including any specific flavors of your choice! Here are a couple of cold brew flavors I highly recommend trying out:
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew: Pumpkin cold brew is a super popular item at Starbucks, and this homemade version is even better! It’s super easy to make with your prepared coffee.
- Cold Brew Chai: The warm flavors of chai tea mingle with your cold brew coffee in this quick and easy recipe for Cold Brew Chai. You simply have to try it!
- Pumpkin Spice Latte: Believe it or not, you can even use this kind of coffee to make a Pumpkin Spice Latte! With a stock of cold brew in your fridge, pretty much anything is possible.
How Should I Store This?
This coffee should be refrigerated in an airtight glass jar. It will last for up to 2 weeks. If desired, you can freeze it in an ice tray, then transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer-safe container and store them for up to 2 months. Avoid placing frozen coffee near other items with a strong odor. Thaw it out in the fridge before enjoying it.
More Easy Coffee Recipes
Want to make more coffee in the comfort of your home? You’re going to love the following recipes!
This smooth, rich and satisfying Cold Brew Coffee is easy to make at home with no fancy equipment or coffee maker required! With less caffeine and a stronger flavor than regular iced coffee, you've just found your new favorite pick-me-up drink.
- 1 cup 100g coarsely ground coffee
- 4 cups filtered cold water
- Handful of ice cubes
- Dairy-free milk of choice
- Liquid syrup or sweetener of choice
In a large pitcher or jar, add ground coffee then pour in water. Stir or cover and shake to combine. Let it sit in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours.
When ready, strain the coffee mixture by pouring it through a cheesecloth-lined mesh sieve into a large container/mason jar.
Add ice to a glass, then fill halfway with coffee, then top with cream, milk, or simple syrup, to taste.
Store remaining cold brew in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Add ground coffee into your French press then pour in water and stir. Place the lid on top and press down gently. Do not plunge. Let it sit at room temperature for 12 to 16 hours.
When ready, press the plunger down. Transfer to a large container/mason jar.
Add ice to a glass, then fill halfway with coffee, then top with cream, milk, or simple syrup, to taste.
Store remaining cold brew in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
GD -
Homemade cold brew is as good, or better, than the stuff in the store – and so much more affordable and environmentally friendly (less packaging!).
I’ve found that the easiest way for me to make cold brew at home is to use a muslin spice bag, to which I add about 1/3 cup of ground coffee (I’ve ground my own, and used pre-grind pre-packaged and both were fine). I then steep it for at least 4 hours, or overnight, in a quart-size glass mason jar with room temp or cool water. In the morning I remove the bag, pop a lid on the jar and refrigerate until I want to use it. There is no need to strain the brew at this point. The bags can then be rinsed, dried, and re-used. I usually make several jars at a time.
This method produces a very strong brew, so you can (if you want) dilute it with a little water. Or, like me, just aDD A SMIDGE OF CREAM AND ENJOY!