How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home

I used to think cold brew was just fancy coffee shop marketing. Then I tried making it at home and realized it's actually the easiest way to get smooth, delicious coffee.

Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for 12-24 hours. This creates a naturally sweet and less acidic drink than regular hot coffee.

The best part about homemade cold brew? You can make a big batch that lasts for days, and it costs way less than buying it at cafes.

I've been tinkering with my cold brew technique for years, and I'm excited to share what works.

You don't need fancy equipment or barista skills to make amazing cold brew in your own kitchen. I'll walk you through picking ingredients, show you my go-to brewing method, and share the tips I wish I'd known when I started.

What Is Cold Brew Coffee and How Is It Different From Iced Coffee?

Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water for 12-24 hours. This makes a smooth concentrate that's less acidic than regular coffee.

Iced coffee is just hot-brewed coffee that's cooled down and served over ice. The taste and brewing process are totally different.

How Cold Brew Coffee Differs From Iced Coffee

I used to think these two drinks were the same thing. Turns out, their brewing methods couldn't be more different.

Cold brew coffee uses cold or room temperature water from start to finish. Iced coffee starts with hot water like your usual morning cup.

Cold brew takes patience—anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. I usually start a batch before bed and wake up to liquid gold.

Iced coffee brews in minutes with hot water, then gets cooled fast.

Here's a quick comparison:

Cold Brew Iced Coffee Cold water brewing Hot water brewing 12-24 hours steeping 4-6 minutes brewing Less acidic taste More acidic, bright flavor Smooth, mellow flavor Bold, traditional coffee taste

Cold brew tastes smoother and less bitter because the cold water doesn't pull out as many acidic compounds. Iced coffee keeps that sharpness since it's brewed hot.

Cold brew concentrate can hang out in the fridge for up to two weeks. I just mix it with water, milk, or cream when I'm ready.

Benefits of Cold Brew Coffee

The biggest win for me is how gentle cold brew is on my stomach. It's less acidic than regular coffee, so I can drink it without that harsh bite.

Cold brew concentrate is my secret weapon for busy mornings. I make a big batch on Sunday and have coffee ready all week.

The flavor stays consistent every single time. No more worrying about bitter coffee because I left it on the heat too long.

Cold brew gives me more control over strength. Want it stronger? Use less water. Want it lighter? Add more water or milk.

It works great in iced lattes, and it doesn't get watery when the ice melts like iced coffee does.

Making cold brew at home is way cheaper than buying it at coffee shops. A bag of good coffee beans goes a long way.

Choosing the Best Ingredients and Equipment

Getting the right ingredients and gear makes all the difference. Coffee beans, filtered water, and the right brewing equipment are your three must-haves.

Selecting Coffee Beans for Cold Brew

Medium to dark roast beans work best for cold brew. They give you that rich, smooth flavor without the harshness.

Coarsely ground coffee is a must. Fine grounds make your cold brew muddy and weird. If you're buying pre-ground, look for "coarse" or "French press grind" on the bag.

Some of my favorite beans for cold brew:

• Colombian for chocolatey notes

• Brazilian for nutty sweetness

• Ethiopian for fruity brightness

I always grind my beans fresh. Burr grinders give the most even results, but a blade grinder works if you pulse it.

Store your beans in an airtight container away from light and heat. I buy small batches every two weeks to keep them fresh.

Using Filtered Water for Better Flavor

Filtered water makes a big difference in your cold brew's taste. Tap water can have chlorine and minerals that mess with the flavor.

I use a simple water filter pitcher. The goal is clean, neutral-tasting water that lets your coffee shine.

Room temperature filtered water is perfect for cold brew. Some folks use cold water, but I find room temp brings out the best flavors during the long steep.

I use 4 cups of water for every 1 cup of coarse coffee. This makes a concentrate I can dilute later.

Essential Equipment for Making Cold Brew

You don't need fancy equipment to make great cold brew. I've made tasty batches with just a mason jar and cheesecloth.

What I recommend:

• Large glass jar or French press

• Fine mesh strainer

• Cheesecloth or coffee filters

• Measuring cups

A French press is my favorite. The built-in filter makes straining easy, and glass doesn't hold onto flavors like plastic.

Mason jars are perfect for small batches. I use a wide-mouth jar so I can stir the grounds easily.

For straining, I double up with a fine mesh strainer and cheesecloth. This combo catches even tiny grounds and gives me clear cold brew.

Store your finished cold brew in the fridge in glass containers. It stays fresh for up to two weeks.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home

Making cold brew at home only takes coarse coffee grounds, cold water, and about 15 minutes of actual work. The key is getting the grind size right, using the proper coffee-to-water ratio, and letting it steep long enough.

Grinding the Coffee Beans

I always start with whole beans because they stay fresh longer. You want a coarse grind—think breadcrumbs or kosher salt.

If your grind is too fine, you'll get muddy, over-extracted cold brew. Too coarse, and it'll taste weak.

I use a burr grinder when I can, but a blade grinder works if you pulse it.

My go-to ratio: 1 cup of coffee grounds to 4 cups of water. This makes a strong concentrate you can dilute later.

For one batch, I grind about 3-4 ounces of whole beans. That gives me roughly 1 cup of coarse grounds.

Mixing Coffee and Water

I like using a mason jar for small batches or a big pitcher for more. Both work.

Add your coffee grounds first, then slowly pour in the filtered water. I always use filtered water for the best flavor.

Stir everything with a wooden spoon. Make sure all the grounds get wet—no dry clumps.

It'll look like muddy water, and that's exactly what you want. Don't worry if it seems like a lot of grounds.

Sometimes I use my French press for this step. Just don't press the plunger down yet.

Steeping and Timing Tips

Now comes the waiting. I steep my cold brew for 12-18 hours at room temperature or in the fridge.

Room temperature steeping goes faster and pulls out more flavor. Fridge steeping takes longer but gives you a milder taste.

Steeping Time Location Result 12-15 hours Room temp Strong, full flavor 15-18 hours Refrigerator Smooth, mild taste 20+ hours Either Risk of over-extraction

I usually start mine before bed and it's ready by dinner the next day. Don't steep longer than 20 hours or it might get bitter.

You don't need to stir it while it steeps. Just let it sit.

Straining and Storing Your Cold Brew

Time to separate the liquid from the grounds. I use a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth.

Pour the mixture slowly through your strainer into a clean jar or pitcher. The liquid you catch is your cold brew coffee concentrate.

If you don't have cheesecloth, coffee filters work too. They just drip a little slower.

I strain mine twice—first through the mesh strainer, then again through a coffee filter. This gets rid of any gritty bits.

Storage tips: Your concentrate stays fresh in the fridge for up to two weeks. I keep mine in a sealed mason jar or airtight container.

When you're ready to drink, mix the concentrate with equal parts water, milk, or ice. Adjust the strength to your taste.

Creating and Using Cold Brew Concentrate

Making a strong coffee concentrate lets you customize your drink strength and get creative with extras like coffee ice cubes.

Cold Brew Ratios and Dilution

I like a 1:4 ratio—1 cup of coarse coffee to 4 cups of cold water. This gives you a strong concentrate.

Once your concentrate is ready, you'll want to dilute it. I usually mix it 1:1 with water for hot coffee strength, or 1:1 with milk for a creamy treat.

Here's my quick dilution guide:

Drink Type Concentrate Add Strong coffee 1 part 1 part water Mild coffee 1 part 2 parts water Iced latte 1 part 1 part milk + ice Hot coffee 1 part 1 part hot water

The best part is you can adjust it to your taste. Want it stronger? Use less water. Too intense? Add more liquid.

Making Coffee Ice Cubes

Coffee ice cubes are my trick for iced coffee that never gets watery. I pour my cold brew concentrate into ice cube trays and freeze them overnight.

These coffee ice cubes keep your iced drinks strong as they melt. Instead of diluting your coffee, they make it richer.

I make two types: pure concentrate cubes for extra strength, and diluted cubes (mixed 1:1 with water) for regular sipping. Store them in freezer bags once frozen.

Try adding coffee ice cubes to milk for an instant iced latte, or drop them in regular iced coffee for a flavor boost.

Cold Brew Tips, Tricks, and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making great homemade cold brew comes down to nailing the coffee flavor, storing it so it stays fresh, and knowing how to jazz it up when you're ready to drink.

Getting the Perfect Coffee Flavor

The secret to amazing coffee flavor starts with your grind. You want coarse grounds—think sea salt, not powder. Fine grounds make your cold brew bitter and muddy.

The coffee-to-water ratio trips up a lot of people. I use 1 part coffee to 4 parts water for concentrate, or 1 part coffee to 8 parts water if I want to drink it straight.

Water quality matters. I always use filtered water because tap water can mess with the taste. Cold or room temperature water works best.

Here's my steeping time guide:

Steeping Time Result 12-16 hours Smooth, balanced flavor 18-24 hours Stronger, bolder taste Under 12 hours Weak and sour Over 24 hours Over-extracted and bitter

Don't forget to stir your grounds when you first mix them. I always give mine a good stir to make sure all the coffee gets wet.

Storing Cold Brew Properly

Cold brew coffee can last in the fridge for up to two weeks. Honestly, I think it tastes way better if you drink it within the first week.

I always use glass jars or bottles with tight lids. It just seems to keep things fresher.

Keep your cold brew concentrate away from milk or cream. I learned this the hard way—once, my whole batch went bad after just three days.

Label your containers with the date you made the coffee. You'll probably forget when you brewed that batch sitting in the back of your fridge. I know I do.

If you made concentrate, store it undiluted. Mix it with water, milk, or ice right before you drink it. That way, the flavor stays strong and fresh.

Flavor Additions and Serving Ideas

This is where homemade cold brew gets really fun! I like tossing in a splash of vanilla extract or a couple of cinnamon sticks while it brews.

Here are my favorite ways to serve it:

• Classic: Mix equal parts concentrate and water. Pour it over ice.

• Creamy: Go half and half with concentrate and milk. Add a splash of vanilla if you want.

• Sweet: Stir in some simple syrup or maple syrup. Sweeten it up to your liking.

• Fancy: Top it with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder. Why not?

If you want to switch things up, pour leftover cold brew into ice cube trays and freeze it. Coffee ice cubes keep your drink strong as they melt—no watered down coffee here.

Sometimes I’ll toss cold brew concentrate into smoothies. It works in baking too, giving recipes a rich coffee kick without making them too runny.