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    Home » All Recipes

    Author: Donna | Published: Mar 25, 2024 |

    How to Make Cold-Brewed Coffee At Home

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    how to make cold brewed coffee

    When the weather heats up, but you still need your coffee fix homemade cold brew coffee can come to the rescue. Easy to make and helps to avoid all the unnecessary nasties found in store-bought versions. Make your own cold-brewed coffee for a delicious ice coffee fix. The best bit is, you can make a big batch and have some on hand ready to pull out of the fridge when needed.

    How to Make Cold Brewed Coffee

    How to Make Cold Brewed Coffee

    Jump to:
    • How to Make Cold Brewed Coffee
    • Can't I Just Throw Some Cooled Coffee Over Ice?
    • Tips, Tricks, and Substitutions For The Perfect Cold Brew
    • How To Serve Homemade Cold Brew Coffee
    • Want It Sweeter?
    • Recipe

    Cold brew coffee has become increasingly popular in recent years for its smooth, rich flavor and lower acidity compared to traditional hot brewed coffee.

    You can certainly buy premade cold brew from the store, and most coffee shops, however, those versions can have lots of unnecessary ingredients and can add up pretty quickly in price if you are getting your coffee shop fix every day.

    Making cold brew at home is simple and requires just a few basic ingredients and tools.

    With the right technique, you can enjoy delicious cold brew coffee anytime without having to break the bank by purchasing it from a cafe.

    Save yourself some hassle and money and make your own cold brew at home.

    The best bit: it is super easy and a big batch can be made all at one time so you can simply grab some out of the fridge when it is needed.

    How to Make Cold Brewed Coffee

    Can't I Just Throw Some Cooled Coffee Over Ice?

    I had heard about cold-brewed coffee a fair few times before I was finally convinced to give it a go.

    I have to admit, initially, I didn't get what all the buzz was about, surely you could just pop some cooled traditionally brewed coffee in the fridge and call it a day?

    I mean....technically you can.

    But coffee brewed using a cold brewing method is so much more smooth.

    Cold brewing takes away a lot of the bitterness and acidity you get with a normal brew, so it is a lot more drinkable, and a lot more gentle on sensitive bellies.

    Plus, when you make cold-brewed coffee you are prepared for the rest of the week with a grab from the fridge and go kinda job - handy indeed!

    I make up a batch on a Sunday and use it throughout the week.

    It's great to have it sitting waiting in the fridge for when the urge inevitably calls.

    How to Make Cold Brewed Coffee

    Tips, Tricks, and Substitutions For The Perfect Cold Brew

    There are a few steps to making the best homemade cold brew coffee, but once you get the hang of it, it will be second nature and not daunting at all.

    1. Start by coarsely grinding your favorite coffee beans. For cold brew, it's best to use a dark or medium roast with a bold flavor profile.
    2. In a large container or pitcher, combine 1 cup of the coarsely ground coffee with 4 cups of cold filtered water. Stir gently to ensure all the grounds are fully saturated.
    3. Cover the container with plastic wrap or a lid and let it sit at room temperature for 12-24 hours. The longer you steep the coffee, the stronger and more robust the flavor will be.
    4. After steeping, strain the coffee through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any remaining grounds. You can also use a French press for easier straining.
    5. Transfer the strained coffee into another clean container and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
    6. This is your coffee concentrate and it will last in the fridge for the week.

    You absolutely need to use coarse ground coffee, if you use a fine grind, you will end up with a tar-like substance at the bottom of the jar, which isn't pleasant for anyone!

    Tip: You will NEED coarse ground coffee.

    Make sure all of the coffee grounds are covered with water.

    TIP: You do not need a cold brew system to make cold brew coffee at home, however, they are quite inexpensive and can save on mess as the coffee will drop through a filter at the bottom, rather than having to be strained through a sieve.

    How to Make Cold Brewed Coffee

    How To Serve Homemade Cold Brew Coffee

    Once brewed, there are a number of ways to serve up depending on how strong you like it.

    • straight: strong and black straight from the fridge with lots of ice
    • watered down: equal parts coffee to water
    • creamy: add some to a large glass of ice, pop in a splash of cream, and leave it to get all melty for a while so it's ice-cold and delicious
    • milky: add equal parts cold brew to your milk of choice and serve
    • milky: if you prefer a milkier version, then you can go with a 2:1 milk to cold-brewed coffee ratio.

    Add sweeteners or flavored syrups as desired, and enjoy your homemade cold brew coffee!

    As always; you do you!

    Making cold brew coffee at home allows you to customize your drink exactly how you like it while saving money on expensive cafe purchases.

    Experiment with different types of beans and brewing times to find your perfect balance of flavors in this smooth and refreshing beverage!

    Find your perfect brew and away you go.

    How to Make Cold Brewed Coffee

    Want It Sweeter?

    You may also want to sweeten your brew with your sweetener of choice.

    Maple syrup, swerve, or regular sugar can be used, just make sure to mix well to combine the sweetener.

    You can always change up your brew a bit by adding ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract and your sweetener of choice for something a bit more indulgent.

    Happy drinking.

    xx

    Recipe

    how to make cold brewed coffee

    Cold Brewed Coffee

    Whole Food Bellies
    It's hot hot hot, but you still need your coffee fix. Avoid all the nasties in the store-bought versions and make your own cold brewed coffee for a delicious ice coffee fix
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    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipes!
    Prep Time 10 hours hrs
    Total Time 10 hours hrs
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Drink
    Servings 8 serves
    Calories 1 kcal

    Clicking any equipment link above will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ¾ cups coarse ground coffee
    • 3 ½ cups cold water
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    Instructions
     

    • Pop the coffee grounds and water in a large pitcher and stir to combine. Pop on the lid or some plastic wrap and let sit on the bench for at least 12 hours (I usually leave overnight)
    • Pop a fine mesh sieve over a large measuring jug and line with a nut milk bag, or a coffee filter. Slowly pour the coffee through the bag until all the liquid has passed through. Stop when you get to the grounds at the bottom of the jar - discard these and all the contents of the strainer
    • After washing out the large pitcher, pour in the strained coffee and pop in the fridge until chilled. This is your coffee concentrate and will last in the fridge for the week
    • To serve: Pop in a large glass filled with ice cubes, add a splash of cream and allow to get a bit melty before enjoying. If you like a milkier version go with a 2:1 milk to coffee concentrate ratio. Sweeten if desired with sweeter of your choice - some vanilla and maple syrup is excellent

    Notes

    You will NEED coarse ground coffee. A fine grind will leave you with a tar like substance in the bottom of your coffee, which no amount of straining will get rid of.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1kcalProtein: 0.1gSodium: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment HERE and let us know how it was!

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    « Healthy Vegetable Frittata Recipe
    Blackberry and Basil Iced Green Tea »
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 11, 2015 at 5:26 am

      Hope you do Pam 🙂

      Reply
    2. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 2:25 pm

      It's so good hey!!

      Reply
    3. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 2:24 pm

      Haha I think I will be that bad soon if this child doesn't start sleeping 🙂 I can't believe you can still fall asleep though - anything with caffeine after 2pm keeps me up all night!!

      Reply
    4. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 2:22 pm

      Thanks Ajuli!!

      Reply
    5. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 2:22 pm

      That sounds like a great way of doing it too, if you have a chemex! A bit quicker 🙂

      Reply
    6. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 5:00 am

      Very welcome Kat! It's perfect for those coffee's that are just a bit too much when brewed for a hot coffee. I have tried it both ways, to me it seems a lot smoother after sitting on the bench - I don't know the science behind it, or if it was just a coincidence, but I kinda like to think its like sprouting etc - they always turn out best for me when I leave them on the bench.

      Reply
    7. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 4:56 am

      Hope you enjoy Cori 🙂

      Reply
    8. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 4:56 am

      You are very welcome 🙂

      Reply
    9. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 4:56 am

      I do that when I have no cold brew on hand (or no patience to wait for it to brew 🙂 )

      Reply
    10. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 4:55 am

      It's super easy Brianne! I hope he enjoys it 🙂

      Reply
    11. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 4:54 am

      I hope you enjoy Logan 🙂

      Reply
    12. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 4:54 am

      Thanks Heather! It's funny how the random props always make the best pics - we were in the middle of moving house and I had packed everything up, so random scraps were all I had 🙂

      Reply
    13. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 4:53 am

      Oh it's totally easy Colleen, the only hard part is the waiting 🙂 I hope you enjoy if you give it a go!

      Reply
    14. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 4:52 am

      Thanks Amber 🙂

      Reply
    15. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 4:51 am

      Haha, I used to make the same mistake with my French Press all the time, and I could never figure out why 🙂

      Reply
    16. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 4:50 am

      Definitely perfect for summer!!!

      Reply
    17. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 4:50 am

      Aww thanks Teri 🙂

      Reply
    18. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 4:49 am

      Haha, i totally understand the addiction 🙂

      Reply
    19. Whole Food Bellies says

      June 09, 2015 at 4:48 am

      I hear ya! We had 100 degrees today 🙂

      Reply

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    Hello and welcome, I'm Donna!

    I am so glad you are here!

    Since I have a part-time job, 3 little kids, and a love of good food (as do you I assume), I have learned how to get the most out of the kitchen in the smallest amount of time.

    Forget about hunting down weird ingredients and making trips to specialty shops.

    We are going to make the most of what is available at the store and farmer's markets all whilst enjoying some delicious meals the whole family (hopefully...if you have fussy eaters I guarantee nothing) will enjoy.

    Pop on that apron and let's get creative in the kitchen!

    More about me →

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