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    Home » All Recipes

    Author: Donna | Published: Jun 8, 2015 | Modified: Mar 10, 2021

    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
    • Why Cold Brew Coffee, Can't I Just Throw Some Cooled Coffee In The Fridge?
    • Tips, Tricks and Substitutions For The Perfect Brew
    • Shop This Post:
    • How To Serve Homemade Cold Brew Coffee
    • Want It Sweeter?
    • Recipe

    You have no doubt been noticing cold brew everywhere over the last few years, it has certainly grown in popularity very quickly.

    It is an absolute lifesaver when the weather heats up but you still need a coffee fix.

    Now, you can definitely get premade cold brew from the store, and most coffee shops now have it on offer, but those versions can either have lots of unnecessary ingredients (store-bought) or add up quickly in price (coffee shop fix).

    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

    Why Cold Brew Coffee, Can't I Just Throw Some Cooled Coffee In The Fridge?

    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 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. Add coarse coffee grounds and water to a large pitcher (or cold brew system) and stir well to combine, making sure all of the coffee grounds are wet.
    2. Pop on the lid or some plastic wrap and let sit on the bench for at least 12 hours
    3. Place a fine mesh sieve lined with a nut milk bag, cheesecloth, or coffee filter, and place over a large measuring jug.
    4. Slowly pour the coffee mixture through the sieve 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
    5. After washing out the large pitcher used for soaking the coffee grounds, pour in the strained coffee and place it into the fridge until completely chilled.
    6. This is your coffee concentrate and it will last in the fridge for the week.

    Shop This Post:

    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.

    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.

    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.

    As always; you do you!

    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 made sure to mix well to combine the sweetener.

    You can always change up your brew a bit by adding in 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
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 hrs
    Total Time 10 hrs
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Drink
    Servings 8 serves
    Calories 1 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ¾ cups coarse ground coffee
    • 3 ½ cups cold water
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pam @ Hodge Podge Moments says

      June 10, 2015 at 9:26 pm

      This sounds so simple and good! I'm going to have to try it. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        June 11, 2015 at 5:26 am

        Hope you do Pam 🙂

        Reply
    2. Ajuli Tulsyan says

      June 09, 2015 at 11:38 am

      This sounds like fun and oh so easy 🙂

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        June 09, 2015 at 2:22 pm

        Thanks Ajuli!!

        Reply
    3. Jessica Doll says

      June 09, 2015 at 5:39 am

      Great recipe! I usually just use my chemex and stainless steel filter the same as when I make hot coffee, but I use cold water. Then I store it in a glass bottle. 🙂

      Reply
      • 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
    4. Lauren says

      June 09, 2015 at 4:32 am

      Yes and yes. I think I also have becoming more dependent on coffee. I even need to drink it at night just to stay up to watch a movie with the hubs!! But don't worry, I can still fall right to sleep 🙂

      Reply
      • 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
    5. Jennifer Salter says

      June 09, 2015 at 3:43 am

      I'm definitely a coffee addict too! I really need to try this cold crew method! Its just too dang hot here in Texas!

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        June 09, 2015 at 4:48 am

        I hear ya! We had 100 degrees today 🙂

        Reply
    6. Chelsea says

      June 08, 2015 at 11:54 pm

      Looks soooo yummy!!! I love coffee...one can say that I am addicted 🙂

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        June 09, 2015 at 4:49 am

        Haha, i totally understand the addiction 🙂

        Reply
    7. Tedi says

      June 08, 2015 at 11:34 pm

      Hi Donna! I am not a coffee drinker but omg your pictures make it look so good. Now I would some cold brewed coffee!

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        June 09, 2015 at 4:50 am

        Aww thanks Teri 🙂

        Reply
    8. Tirralan - Tinseltown Mom says

      June 08, 2015 at 11:07 pm

      I've never tried cold brewed coffee before. This is an easy recipe, and perfect for the summer months!

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        June 09, 2015 at 4:50 am

        Definitely perfect for summer!!!

        Reply
    9. Elizabeth Maske says

      June 08, 2015 at 10:05 pm

      I so want to try this! Also, your tip about the fine-ground coffee totally explains why I get tar at the bottom of my french press steeped coffee. Duh! I never realized it until I read this. You're awesome.

      Reply
      • 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
    10. Jaime says

      June 08, 2015 at 7:58 pm

      I love cold brew coffee! I got a French press for Christmas this past year and I've been using it constantly for iced coffee.

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        June 09, 2015 at 2:25 pm

        It's so good hey!!

        Reply
    11. Amber Hillis says

      June 08, 2015 at 7:23 pm

      Looks so so yummy!!!

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        June 09, 2015 at 4:52 am

        Thanks Amber 🙂

        Reply
    12. Colleen C says

      June 08, 2015 at 6:02 pm

      This looks delicious! I've never attempted to make my own cold brewed coffee and you make it look so easy! I can't wait to try this! xoxoxo

      Reply
      • 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
    13. Heather Serra says

      June 08, 2015 at 6:01 pm

      Love your pics for this! Very sharp. I enjoy cold coffee now and then, especially this time of year. Yum!

      Reply
      • 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
    14. Logan Can says

      June 08, 2015 at 5:53 pm

      I will definitely have to try this! I love cold coffee but I have never tried to make it myself.

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        June 09, 2015 at 4:54 am

        I hope you enjoy Logan 🙂

        Reply
    15. Brianne Geiger says

      June 08, 2015 at 5:51 pm

      Looks soooo easy to make! My husband loves cold coffee so I'll definitely have to try this!

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        June 09, 2015 at 4:55 am

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

        Reply
    16. Chelsea says

      June 08, 2015 at 5:24 pm

      This sounds delish! I usually just pour coffee right over a cup full of ice when I want iced coffee but this sounds so good too.

      Reply
      • 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
    17. Randi Sheets (Mrs. Sheets & Co) says

      June 08, 2015 at 5:06 pm

      This look amazing! I can't wait to try it for myself! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        June 09, 2015 at 4:56 am

        You are very welcome 🙂

        Reply
    18. Cori from The Blog Love Project says

      June 08, 2015 at 4:59 pm

      Oh Yes! So doing this!

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        June 09, 2015 at 4:56 am

        Hope you enjoy Cori 🙂

        Reply
    19. Kat from curlsnchard.com says

      June 08, 2015 at 3:32 pm

      Oh this sounds really easy! I have some whole bean coffee sitting around here that is a bit to acidic for my taste, so making it a cold brew sounds ideal 🙂 So you don't put it in the fridge overnight, but let the mixture sit on the counter? Thanks for the inspiration.

      Reply
      • 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

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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!

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