Cold Brew Coffee is super simple to make and just takes two ingredients and a little time. This cold brew makes amazing iced coffees and lattes. You will be keeping Cold Brew Coffee stocked in your fridge all the time with this recipe.
If you have teens in your house (like me) that are addicted to Starbucks, this cold brew can save you quite a bit of money. They can learn to make their favorite iced coffee drinks right at home.
Ingredients & Supplies
All you need to make a good strong cold brew is your favorite dark roasted coffee beans, water, a filter of some kind, and a little patience!
Coffee Beans- pick your favorite DARK roasted coffee bean. Grind the coffee on the largest/coarsest grind you can. This step is very important, do not buy pre- ground coffee to make your cold brew coffee. The small grind will give you an over-extraction of bitter coffee. The larger grind gives you a smooth and flavorful coffee.
Cold Water- To be totally honest I have found the my tap water or filtered fridge water is totally find for my homemade cold brew coffee. But if you want to be extra about your cold brew, purchase a large 32 oz bottle of filtered water.
Filter- You will need to filter the coffee grounds from the water before using the cold brew. If you start your cold brew in a French press you can just use the built in filter to remove the grounds.
If you don’t have a French press you can place a cheese cloth or a few coffee filters in a fine mesh sieve and pour the coffee through that into a bowl or bottle.
Coffee Filters
If you are using coffee filters in a mesh sieve, use a few stacked together. I have not had luck with a single coffee filter.
How to Make a Pitcher of Cold Brew Coffee
Combine 4 cups of room temp or cold water with 1 cup of coarse ground coffee. I like to use my French press for this step. If you do not have a French press you can use a bowl, carafe, or pitcher. Stir the coffee so that all the grinds are saturated in the water.
Now for the patience part. Let the coffee sit, covered, at room temp for 12 to 24 hours.
The coffee is now ready to filter.
If you used a French press simply press the filter down and pour the cold brew coffee into a pitcher to store in the fridge.
If you are not using a French press, pour your cold brew coffee thru a piece of cheesecloth or a few coffee filters set in a fine mesh sieve, placed over a pitcher.
Storing
Store your cold brew coffee in the fridge, covered, for about a week to 10 days. Any longer than that and the coffee will start to lose flavor and strength.
This is a strong cold brew coffee! When you are ready to drink it you can add a little cold water at a time to make it the desired strength.
Making an Iced Latte with your Cold Brew Coffee
My favorite way to enjoy this deliciously strong cold brew coffee is by making an Iced Latte. It is super simple to make and will save you $4 and a trip to the Starbucks drive thru!
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour the cold brew coffee over the ice, filling the glass about ½ full. (A traditional latte is ¼ espresso and ¾ milk, but since we are not using espresso I like more coffee than milk.)
- Now add the milk you like- 2% milk, whole milk, almond milk, coconut milk
- Add any sweetener (optional)- simple syrup, honey, Splenda, agave
- Add any flavoring (optional)- chocolate, caramel, vanilla syrup, cinnamon syrup…..
- Give it a good stir and add a Koffie Straw to enjoy your Cold Brew Iced Latte!
Other Ways to Use Cold Brew
1. Iced Coffee: The most straightforward way to enjoy cold brew is by serving it over ice. Simply pour the cold brew into a glass filled with ice cubes for a refreshing and energizing pick-me-up. Customize your iced coffee with a splash of milk, cream, or flavored syrup, like simple syrup or cinnamon syrup, for added richness and sweetness.
2. Coffee Cocktails: Elevate your cocktail game by incorporating cold brew coffee into your favorite mixed drinks. Create a smooth and indulgent Espresso Martini by shaking cold brew with vodka, coffee liqueur, and a touch of simple syrup. Experiment with other cocktail recipes that call for coffee.
3. Frozen Treats: Cold brew coffee makes a delightful addition to frozen desserts and treats. Blend it with ice, milk or cream, and a sweetener of your choice to create a creamy and decadent cold brew frappé. You can also use cold brew as a base for homemade coffee-flavored ice cream or popsicles for a cool and caffeine-infused treat.
4. Coffee Smoothies: Incorporate cold brew coffee into your morning smoothie for a nutritious and caffeinated boost. Combine cold brew with bananas, protein powder, nut butter, and a handful of greens for a delicious and energizing breakfast on-the-go. The cold brew adds a rich coffee flavor while providing a gentle caffeine kick to start your day.
Cold Brew Tips To Remember
1. Coarse Grind: Use a coarse grind for your coffee beans, similar to sugar, that’s ground for about six seconds. Grinding your own beans is best, and it gives you control over the coarseness.
2. Quality Beans Matter: Begin with freshly roasted, coarse-ground coffee beans. Opt for a medium to dark roast, as they tend to bring out deeper flavors in cold brew. Experiment with different bean varieties to find your favorite flavor profile.
3. The Right Ratio: Achieving the perfect coffee-to-water ratio is crucial for a balanced cold brew. A common ratio is 1:4, meaning one part coffee to four parts water. However, you can adjust this according to your taste preferences. Remember, a stronger concentration will result in a more potent brew.
4. Patience is Key: Cold brew is a slow and gentle extraction process. Allow your coffee grounds to steep in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. This extended steeping time allows for a smooth and rich flavor profile to develop. Resist the temptation to rush this step, as patience will be rewarded with a superior brew. However, don’t brew past 24 hours or you risk having a bitter over-extraction.
5. Strain Carefully: Once the steeping period is complete, strain the coffee using a fine-mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or a specialized cold brew filter. Take your time during this process to ensure that no coffee grounds remain in the final brew. This step is crucial for achieving a smooth and grit-free texture.
More Beverage Recipes
How To Make Homemade Cold Brew Coffee
Ingredients
- 1 cup dark roasted coffee beans coarsly ground
- 4 cups cool filtered water
Instructions
- Place the coarse ground coffee in a container (I use a french press for easy filtering).1 cup dark roasted coffee beans
- Slowly pour the water over the coffee grounds. Using a spoon make sure all the grinds are saturated with water.4 cups cool filtered water
- Cover and let sit at room temperature for 12-24 hours.
- Filter your cold brew coffee:With a French press: simply press the plunger/filter and pour your cold brew coffee into a pitcher to store in the fridge.Without a French press: line a mesh sieve with a layer or two of cheesecloth or a few coffee filters stacked together. Place the sieve over a pitcher and slowly pour the cold brew coffee thru the filter.NOTE: discard the coffee grounds in the trash, do not pour down the sink drain!
- Store in the fridge for a week up to 10 days. Any longer than this and the cold brew coffee will start to lose flavor and strength.
Serving
- Cold Brew Coffee: Pour over ice and enjoy. If the brew is too strong add a little water at a time until it is the right strength.
- Cold Brew Iced Latte: Fill a jar or glass with ice. Fill ½ the glass with the cold brew coffee. Add desired milk (2% milk, whole milk, almond milk…). Add any desired sweetener and flavoring ( simple syrup or cinnamon simple syrup are delicious). Shake or stir the mixture until it is well combined. Pop in a Koffie Straw and enjoy!Pro Tip: make your Iced Latte in a mason jar so you can give it a good shake to mix the ingredients and create a delicious froth on top
If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.
Sean@Diversivore
Lovely guide! I mostly drink espresso or Americanos, but we’ve tried our hand at cold brew a few times in the past. I always found the results a little weak – but I see you say that this is a stronger coffee base, so it might be time to give it a try again. My French press is just sitting and waiting after all!
Susie
Oh definitely give it a try.. it is pretty stong! I have to dilute it if I drink it without cream/milk. Just make sure to get a nice dark roasted bean.
(I love an Americano too)
Dana
I really should start drinking coffee (and red wine?) with a straw! This sounds pretty damn fabulous. I also really like the shape and how it does seem like it would fit perfectly under your front chompers. Easy sippin’! And as for cold brew coffee, LOVE IT. I never realized how badly I needed it in my life until I moved to North Carolina and experienced my first summer here, haha 😉 I really need to start making my own! This sounds awesome.
Marisa Franca
Oh the coffee looks amazing and the straw idea is genius!!! I can’t believe I didn’t think of something like that sooner. I will definitely try your method for cold brewed coffee. Right now I’m feeling just a bit sluggish. The coffee would help.
Susie
The recipe makes a nice strong brew!
Carmy
I need these straws! They look so fun! I also love that they’re oval shaped because I tend to bite my straws so it ends up being oval anyways haha. Such a wonderful concept!
Susie
The shape is one of my favorite! I love that it fits in to-go cups
Amanda
I need to get one of these straws! What a great solution for a problem that so many of us face. I drink coffee, but also a lot of tea, and I definitely notice less brilliance to the look of my teeth. Heading over to check out these straws now! (And also, gorgeous photos of this cold brew. Love how you captured the condensation on the glass–perfection!)
Susie
Definitely check out the straws… they are an amazing family owned company.
Thanks for the love on my pics : )
Tina
The straw I didn’t know I needed! I love this idea. Thank you for the link. My daughter and I were just discussing the ‘no straw movement’ so this fits right in. The added protection for the teeth is bonus. Thanks for this.
Susie
Isn’t it crazy! I ordered bc of teeth staining, and I wanted reusable straws. I had NO idea how many awesome features it had.. Truly the straw you didn’t even know you needed.
Pam Greer
I love the sound of that straw!! I drink a lot of coffee and a lot of tea, so getting all that staining liquid past my front teeth would be perfect!!
Susie
It is the perfect product! If you deal with any teeth staining the Koffie Straw will help tons!
Gloria
I LOVE cold brew. We are getting our coffee shipment tomorrow from a local roaster. Cannot wait to get some cold brew started. Perfect for this HOT weather. Saves me lots of money….I should have shares in Starbucks!!
Susie
Oooohhh fresh local dark roasted coffee is the best for cold brew. Enjoy!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
First, I love that straw! Just the thing to keep your teeth sparkling while enjoying your favorite brew — wondering if it would work equally well for red wine… but I digress. I have a French press but since we drink a lot of hot coffee in the morning — it just convenient — when I can brew a whole pot to last — but I love the idea of using it for a cold brew! That is genius! Thanks for the inspiration!
Susie
Absolutely! The french press makes this cold brew SO easy to make, then it just stores in the fridge- easy peasy!
Definitely check out the straw. It is perfect for red wine! You can even trim the straw to fit in your wine glass
Lisa Huff
Going to check out that Koffie Straw! The shape looks perfect for some of my cups!
Susie
The shape is SO perfect! It totally fits into all my cups, even the to-go or travel cups
Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction
This looks absolutely refreshing – perfect for these hot summer days!
Susie
It has been HOT here in KC, so this is the perfect afternoon caffeine pick me up
Sherri @ Sweet Enough
The coffee looks fantastic and I am totally in love with this straw. As an obsessive teeth-brusher, I NEED this!
Susie
Thank you! Definitely check out Koffie Straw. It is an amazing product and completely changed how I drink my coffee and tea
camila
I Love all of these pictures!! They’re so amazing!!
Susie
Oh my goodness.. thank you so much!
SHANIKA
Wow, this coffee recipe looks amazing! I’m not a huge coffee drinker, but I always enjoy a bit of caffeine in my frappuccino or machiato from Starbucks. I definitely need to try this!
Susie
This is a super strong cold brew recipe… It would make the perfect base for an iced macchiato or frappuccino made at home! Cheers!