I used to think making good coffee meant spending five bucks at the coffee shop every morning. That’s how everyone I knew got their caffeine fix. When I tried brewing at home, it always came out bitter and acidic.
Turns out I was doing it all wrong—I was rushing the process with hot water when what coffee really needs is time and patience. Cold brew coffee is actually one of the easiest ways to make smooth, rich coffee at home. All you need is ground coffee, water, and about 12 hours of hands-off waiting time.
Why You’ll Love This Cold Brew Coffee
- Two-ingredient simplicity – All you need is ground coffee and water to make this smooth, refreshing drink – it doesn’t get easier than that!
- No special equipment needed – Unlike fancy coffee drinks, this cold brew only requires basic kitchen items you already have at home.
- Make-ahead convenience – Prep it before bed and wake up to ready-to-drink coffee that lasts up to a week in the fridge.
- Smooth, less acidic taste – The overnight steeping creates a naturally sweeter, less bitter coffee that’s gentler on your stomach than regular hot coffee.
What Kind of Coffee Should I Use?
For cold brew, you’ll want to start with coarsely ground coffee beans – think the texture of raw sugar rather than fine powder. Medium to dark roasts typically work best since they bring out those deep, chocolatey notes that cold brew is famous for, though light roasts can offer interesting fruity flavors too. A quality arabica coffee is your best bet, and you can find great options at your local coffee shop where they’ll usually grind it to the right consistency for you. Just remember to avoid pre-ground coffee from the supermarket if possible, since freshly ground beans will give you much better flavor. And if you’re grinding at home, use a burr grinder rather than a blade grinder to get that consistent, coarse grind that’s essential for cold brew.
Options for Substitutions
Making cold brew is pretty straightforward, but here are some helpful substitution tips:
- Ground coffee: While any coffee works, medium to dark roast beans give the best results. You can use pre-ground coffee, but freshly ground beans will taste better. Decaf coffee works too if you’re watching your caffeine intake.
- Chilled water: Regular room temperature filtered water works just fine – your brew will chill in the fridge anyway. Just avoid using hot water as it changes the whole brewing process and can make the coffee bitter.
- Cream and milk: Feel free to use any milk alternative like almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk. For a dairy-free creamer option, try coconut cream or your favorite non-dairy creamer. You can also skip the milk altogether and drink it black!
- Ice: If you don’t want to dilute your coffee with regular ice, try making coffee ice cubes by freezing some of your cold brew. You can also skip the ice and just serve it cold from the fridge.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Brewing
The biggest mistake when making cold brew coffee is using the wrong grind size – you’ll want a coarse grind (similar to raw sugar), as anything too fine will result in bitter, muddy-tasting coffee and might clog your filter. Another common error is rushing the brewing process – cold brew needs at least 12 hours (and up to 24) to properly extract, so starting it too late or cutting the time short will give you weak, flavorless coffee. To get the cleanest cup possible, avoid stirring or shaking the mixture while it’s brewing, and when it’s time to strain, use a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter – rushing this step can leave you with grounds in your finished drink. For the smoothest results, store your cold brew concentrate in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.
What to Serve With Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee pairs perfectly with breakfast pastries and baked goods – I especially love it with a warm chocolate croissant or a slice of banana bread. Since cold brew has less acidity than regular coffee, it’s great alongside rich, sweet treats like coffee cake or blueberry muffins. For a complete breakfast or brunch spread, try serving your cold brew with some savory options too, like a breakfast sandwich or avocado toast. If you’re enjoying your cold brew as an afternoon pick-me-up, cookies or biscotti make for perfect dipping companions!
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Your cold brew coffee concentrate will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks when stored in an airtight container or mason jar. The flavor actually stays pretty consistent throughout this time, which makes it perfect for making ahead!
Prepare Ahead: Cold brew is meant to be made ahead – that’s the beauty of it! Make a big batch on Sunday, and you’ll have smooth, ready-to-drink coffee for the next couple of weeks. Just add water, milk, or cream when you’re ready to enjoy it.
Serve: When you’re ready for your coffee fix, simply dilute the concentrate with equal parts water or milk, add ice, and enjoy! You can adjust the ratio to make it stronger or weaker according to your taste. Remember to give it a quick stir before serving if it’s been sitting for a while.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 720-720 minutes |
| Total Time | 730-735 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 0-50
- Protein: 0-1 g
- Fat: 0-1 g
- Carbohydrates: 0-1 g
Ingredients
- cream (optional but recommended for richness)
- 1 1/3 cups ground coffee (coarse grind, I use Lavazza)
- milk
- 4 cups cold water (filtered for best taste)
- ice
Step 1: Combine Coffee and Water
- 1 1/3 cups ground coffee
- 4 cups cold water
In a clean jar or container, combine the coarse ground coffee and cold filtered water, stirring gently to ensure all the grounds are fully saturated.
I prefer using filtered water because it really makes a difference in the final taste—tap water can sometimes impart mineral flavors that compete with the coffee’s natural sweetness.
The ratio of coffee to water is important here, so measure carefully for the best extraction.
Step 2: Steep in the Refrigerator
- Coffee and water mixture from Step 1
Cover the jar tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator.
Let it steep for at least 12 hours, though up to 24 hours will give you an even richer, more concentrated brew.
The cold water extraction takes time, but this is what makes cold brew so smooth and less acidic than hot coffee—there’s no rush here.
Step 3: Strain and Store the Concentrate
- Steeped coffee mixture from Step 2
Set a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a clean jar and carefully pour the mixture through to separate the grounds from the liquid.
Work slowly to avoid splashing, and if using cheesecloth, you can gather the corners and gently squeeze out the last bit of coffee for maximum yield.
What you’re left with is a concentrated cold brew that can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Step 4: Serve and Customize
- Cold brew concentrate from Step 3
- ice
- milk
- cream
Pour the cold brew concentrate into a glass filled with ice, then dilute it with equal parts water, milk, or a combination of both—this is where you adjust it to your taste preference.
I like to add a splash of cream for richness and a touch of smoothness that really elevates the drink.
Start with a 1:1 ratio of concentrate to liquid and adjust from there depending on how strong you like your coffee.
