How to Make Cold Brew Concentrate
Cold brew concentrate is just coffee grounds steeped in cold water for a long time, but the grind size, ratio, and steep time all matter more than they do for hot coffee. Get them right and you get a smooth, low-acid concentrate that is easy to dilute to taste.
Steps
- 1Coarsely grind coffee beans, a texture like coarse sea salt, similar to French press grind.
- 2Combine 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee with 4 cups of cold or room-temperature water in a large jar or pitcher.
- 3Stir gently to make sure all the grounds are saturated.
- 4Cover and steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12-18 hours.
- 5Strain through a fine-mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter or cheesecloth, pressing gently on the grounds.
- 6Store the concentrate in the refrigerator and dilute with water or milk (roughly 1:1) to taste before drinking.
Common mistakes
- Using a fine grind: it passes through most strainers and leaves the concentrate gritty; a coarse grind is essential.
- Steeping too briefly: cold extraction is slow, under 12 hours typically under-extracts and tastes weak and sour once diluted.
- Drinking it undiluted: cold brew concentrate is meant to be cut with water, milk, or ice, straight concentrate is much stronger than a normal cup of coffee.
Equipment
- Large jar or pitcher
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Coffee filter or cheesecloth
- Coffee grinder
FAQ
How long does cold brew concentrate last in the fridge?
About 1-2 weeks refrigerated in a sealed container, notably longer than brewed hot coffee, since cold brew's extraction process produces less of the compounds that go stale or sour quickly.
What's the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?
Cold brew is steeped with cold water over many hours; iced coffee is regular hot-brewed coffee cooled and poured over ice. Cold brew is typically smoother and less acidic since hot extraction pulls out more acidic compounds.
Need exact temperatures or timing? Check our Time & Temperature Guide →
