How to Make Cold Brew at Home

Cold brew is coffee made with cold water over many hours. The result is smooth, naturally sweet and low in bitterness, and a batch lasts all week in the fridge.

What you need

• Coarsely ground coffee
• A large jar or jug
• A fine sieve and a paper filter or cloth
• Cold, filtered water

The recipe (1 litre)

• 100g of coarsely ground coffee
• 1 litre of cold water
• Steep for 12 to 18 hours in the fridge

Step by step

1. Add the coffee to the jar, pour in the cold water and stir well.
2. Cover and leave in the fridge for 12 to 18 hours.
3. Strain through a sieve, then through a paper filter for a clean finish.
4. Serve over ice, diluted 1:1 with water or milk.

For a step-by-step guide with photos, see our cold brew brew guide.

Serving ideas

• Cold brew with milk: half cold brew, half milk, over ice.
• Vanilla cold brew: add 10ml of vanilla syrup.
• Cold brew espresso martini: see our espresso martini (18+).

Tips

• Grind coarse, like sea salt. Fine coffee makes it muddy and bitter.
• Keep it in a sealed bottle in the fridge for up to a week.
• Taste before diluting. It is a concentrate.

FAQs

Is cold brew stronger than normal coffee?

As a concentrate, yes. Once diluted 1:1 it is similar to a regular coffee.

Is cold brew the same as iced coffee?

No. Iced coffee is brewed hot and chilled. Cold brew never uses hot water.

Black cold brew is under 5 kcal a glass. Milk and syrup add more. Check yours in our coffee calorie calculator.

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